A coffee shop with unusual rules.
On May 16th, information about a coffee shop in Ha Long ( Quang Ninh ) issuing a special announcement received a large amount of interaction with many conflicting opinions.
Specifically, according to a post on its fan page, the restaurant announced it would "stop providing services to the general public" and focus on its regular customers.
In the posted message, the cafe representative stated that "this change will lead to disappointment and may spark controversy."
According to our investigation, this information comes from Ban Xu Cafe - a fairly well-known beverage establishment located in Hong Hai Ward (Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province).
Previously, this cafe had also received mixed reviews regarding its unique service style.
It's only open during business hours, closed on Saturdays and Sundays, doesn't offer takeout, and only sells a limited number of drinks each day. Additionally, customers often have to wait quite a long time for their drinks, from 40 to 60 minutes before being served.
Many customers who had previously visited the restaurant expressed regret upon hearing the news.
Quỳnh Trang had been refused service three times at the restaurant because it was too crowded. On her next visit, she accepted waiting about 60 minutes to be served.
The 20-year-old customer felt the wait was worthwhile because the drinks and snacks at the cafe were of good quality and reasonably priced compared to other places.
"A glass of drink with plenty of toppings costs from 65,000 VND. For me, this is a reasonable price compared to many other restaurants. It's a shame if the restaurant doesn't cater to a wider range of customers," the customer shared.
Meanwhile, Phuong Lien knew about the cafe from the time it was located at its old location, serving two drinks: egg coffee and traditional coffee. When the cafe moved to its new location, she became a regular customer, visiting almost every day.
"I was surprised to see that announcement. Maybe the restaurant wants to filter out some customers to target the specific group they want to serve," the customer commented.
Furthermore, many believe that while the beverage industry in Vietnam is developing rapidly, the competition is equally fierce. With the cafe's "unconventional" decision, regardless of the quality of the drinks, customers will readily seek out new establishments.
Is not welcoming a large number of customers considered discriminatory?
Regarding this issue, in an interview with Dan Tri newspaper, Mr. Hoang Tung - Chairman of F&B Investment - stated that not serving the general public does not constitute discrimination against customers.
Perhaps this is how the coffee shop aims to maintain the customer experience, as a way of preserving its core values. This is a common model for establishments that want to provide customers with a high-quality experience.
According to the F&B industry expert, many restaurants in Vietnam, as well as around the world , are applying this principle.
For example, some cafes only serve customers who drink on-site, not for takeout. This is because enjoying the drink at the cafe ensures its true flavor is preserved. Or some cafes only sell a limited quantity each day. Even when there are more customers, they don't sell more to ensure the quality of each item and avoid leftover stock.
Alternatively, around the world, there also exists a model of establishments that operate discreetly, like "hidden bars." With these bars, even wealthy customers don't know about them unless they're introduced by regulars. This is a way for the bars to maintain a niche clientele with discerning tastes.
"Returning to the story of Bản Xứ coffee, I believe that despite the controversy, this establishment maintains its business philosophy of investing, selecting, and focusing on the customer group it wants to target."
"Serving too many customers can undermine the core value of the restaurant. In business, knowing who your customers are is crucial," Mr. Tung analyzed.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/tranh-cai-quy-dinh-la-cua-quan-ca-phe-ha-long-dung-phuc-vu-khach-dai-tra-20250516230355262.htm
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