Sidewalk Coffee Until Morning: How to Maintain Being a 'Saigon-Quality Meeting Place'?

Thanks to the quiet atmosphere when the city comes late at night, the activity of 'going to a coffee shop until dawn' has become popular among young people in Ho Chi Minh City. As Christmas and New Year approaches, these coffee shops attract more and more people in the cold weather.

Many young people gathered in front of Notre Dame Cathedral drinking coffee until 2-3am - Photo: THANH HIEP

Sidewalk coffee brings a peaceful space after a tiring day

Nighttime sidewalk cafes have become a very notable phenomenon in the nightlife entertainment of young people in Ho Chi Minh City.

This is a very popular form of gathering, especially at night, when the city is peaceful and deserted. No need for a luxurious space, no need for tables and chairs, just a corner of the sidewalk, a tarp or a few small chairs, and a simple sidewalk cafe has been set up.

Many young people believe that sidewalk cafes are a simple way to enjoy life that few people have paid attention to. Lan Anh (22 years old) shared: "I like the comfortable space and the feeling of freedom when sitting at sidewalk cafes. This is the time when we can relieve all our worries after a stressful, busy day."

As for My An (living in Binh Thanh district), she finds that when the city enters the late hours, everything becomes quieter and less noisy, and sidewalk cafes become an ideal meeting place for An and her friends to comfortably share stories, ideas, or just sit quietly together and watch the street lights.

This is something that not every space offers.

Vy (in white shirt) and her best friend sat at a coffee shop in front of Notre Dame Cathedral to relax at 12am - Photo: THANH HIEP

Can we build a more civilized and safer sidewalk cafe model for young people?

Although late-night sidewalk cafes offer comfort and freedom, not everyone has a positive view of this activity.

Some young people openly expressed concerns about security, environmental sanitation, and long-term impacts on health and urban order.

Nhat Lam (living in Phu Nhuan district) expressed: "I was once pickpocketed when I went to a sidewalk cafe with friends. The crowd and the messy space made me unable to react in time. After that time, I limited my participation in sidewalk cafes at night, even though I really like the atmosphere."

Nowadays, most of the sidewalk coffee places are spontaneous. Young people tell each other about the most famous places to experience. Faced with these challenges, many young people have proposed practical solutions.

Hoai Lam (living in District 8) suggested: "The city should plan separate areas for sidewalk cafes with better infrastructure, as well as ensure food hygiene and safety management."

Tam (a student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture) suggested increasingeducation on public hygiene awareness: "We can organize exchange sessions or draw minimalist murals on this topic."

If the suggestions from young people - customers and the government are highly appreciated and effectively implemented, night coffee in Ho Chi Minh City will develop more sustainably.

This not only contributes to preserving the beauty of urban culture, but also helps Ho Chi Minh City become a unique destination in the eyes of international tourists.

Night coffee in the center of Ho Chi Minh City - Author: Nguyen Tat Thanh University Student Group

Image of young people drinking coffee at night in Ho Chi Minh City

Crowds of people enjoying sidewalk coffee in front of Hoa Binh Primary School (District 1) at 11pm - Photo: THANH HIEP

In front of the City Post Office gate, there are also long lines of people sitting on tarps drinking water and enjoying the scenery with friends - Photo: THANH HIEP

A corner of 30-4 Park (District 1) is also a peaceful place for young people to sit and drink coffee at 1am - Photo: THANH HIEP

The sidewalk cafe area in front of Notre Dame Cathedral has many drinks and snacks for young people to choose from. Dishes cost from 20,000 VND or more - Photo: THANH HIEP

Lam's group (in gray shirt) took photos using the x0.5 camera style to capture the whole atmosphere of the sidewalk cafe in front of Hoa Binh Primary School (District 1) - Photo: THANH HIEP

Many couples also choose sidewalk cafes as a dating activity - Photo: THANH HIEP

Many street vendors have sprung up with snacks - Photo: THANH HIEP

Glasses of water are continuously brought out as the number of customers coming to drink coffee on the sidewalk increases as the night goes on - Photo: THANH HIEP

Many people do not clean up after eating but leave things lying around right where they sat - Photo: THANH HIEP

Many young people complained that many children came to customers drinking coffee on the sidewalk to "fan the flames" and ask for money. Notably, the children performed very close to customers drinking water as well as very close to customers' motorbikes parked on the sidewalk. This caused unsafety and could easily lead to unfortunate fires and explosions - Photo: THANH HIEP

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ca-phe-bet-toi-sang-lam-sao-giu-duoc-la-diem-hen-chatsai-gon-20241220024021381.htm