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Ho Chi Minh City café brings chill camping vibes

A camping enthusiast in Ho Chi Minh City has built a coffee shop where he attempts to bring chill camping vibes to city cafe-goers. 

Inspired by his passion for camping, in late April, Khuong Duy opened his camping-themed Square 39 coffee shop on the second-floor terrace of a house at 25A Road No. 3, Binh An Ward in Thu Duc City.


People enjoy camping experience at the Square 39 coffee shop in Thu Duc City in Ho Chi Minh City on December 2, 2021. Video: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News

To create his 700-square-meter ‘campsite,' Duy furnished the place with tents, tables, chairs, as well as camping gear such as lamps, kettles, gas stoves, and more.




A set of coffee makers usually used for camping is seen at the Square 39 coffee shop in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City on December 2, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News

“One of the hard tasks for me to build this camping-themed cafe is buying the furniture," he said.

"Because I could not find it in Vietnam, I had to import it.

“That also means that when an item breaks, I have to fix it myself because it’s hard to find a repair shop for camping gear in Vietnam."

Each tent at his coffee shop is built as accurately as possible compared with a real camping tent outdoors, according to Duy.

“I know that if the tents are done correctly, the cafe’s capacity will be limited because tents are usually very large, but I want to offer the most authentic feeling to those who have never been camping, or those who love camping but do not have time to go,” he said.

“I'm willing to have less customers for that.”

Duy and his family have opted to go camping during their vacations for the past two years as COVID-19 has made them hesitant to visit popular tourist locations.

“Since the day we learned about camping, our children have been able to immerse in nature,” Duy said.

“Our family no longer enjoys crowded places or luxury hotels.

“For us, traveling now means experiencing and enjoying nature.”

During the past months, Duy’s coffee shop has become a favorite spot for those who are looking for a camping vibe without leaving the city, as well as people who come for Instagrammable shots.

Cafe-goer Thuy Anh and her friend Thao Truc from Phu Nhuan District found the place similar to the chill vibes of Da Lat, a city known for its cold weather and beautiful landscapes in the Central Highlands region.




Thuy Anh (left) and her friend Thao Truc get ready to take photos at the Square 39 coffee shop in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City on December 2, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News

“We’ve learned about this cafe over social media so we decided to come for sunset sightseeing,” Anh said.

“We really love this place, it’s large and quiet.

“We took a lot of cool pictures here."

She said that she would be back again.

Meanwhile, Huynh Nhu, a resident of Thu Duc City, had visited the venue with her family for the third time because they loved the place’s decorations.

Everyone should come and try this new coffee shop, Nhu said.




Huynh Nhu (second right) and her family enjoy the atmosphere at the Square 39 coffee shop in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City on December 2, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News

Square 39 said they will change the place’s decorations every one or two months to bring a refreshing experience to their customers.




Two customers enjoy their drinks at the Square 39 coffee shop in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City on December 2, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News



A customer orders drinks at the Square 39 coffee shop in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City on December 2, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News



A group of customers enjoy their drinks at the Square 39 coffee shop in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City on December 2, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News



A family enjoys the atmosphere at the Square 39 coffee shop in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City on December 2, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News



A customer waits for his drink at the Square 39 coffee shop in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City on December 2, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News



A corner of the Square 39 coffee shop in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City is lit up at night on December 2, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News

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Hoang An - Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News

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