Coffee in bamboo tubes - A new environmentally friendly trend in Ho Chi Minh City

In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, a unique coffee shop is making waves by selling close to 200 bamboo tubes of coffee every day. Located in District 4, Mr. Nguyen Huynh's coffee establishment stands out for its use of bamboo tubes, grass straws for sipping, wooden spoons, and a commitment to selling coffee for just two hours during each session.

For the past ten days, this coffee shop near Ong Lanh Bridge has been drawing a consistent crowd in the mornings and evenings. The exterior is modestly adorned with a simple signboard, while the sidewalk features five folding tables and chairs typically used for camping. A corner of the sidewalk houses a take-away coffee counter, owned by the 27-year-old entrepreneur, Mr. Nguyen Huynh.

Inside, alongside the coffee-making essentials, a row of green bamboo tubes is neatly arranged – a conscious decision to eschew plastic or glass cups. Mr. Huynh emphasizes their commitment to avoiding plastic, insisting that customers drink their beverages using bamboo tubes. He is often seen pouring coffee into the tubes, inserting grass straws, adding wooden spoons, and garnishing with pandan leaves before the staff delivers the drinks to the tables.

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Huynh, a former architect, drew inspiration from his camping experiences where he frequently used bamboo tubes for various purposes. About a month ago, when he left his job to venture into business with friends, Huynh immediately embraced the idea of a bamboo straw coffee shop, driven by its uniqueness and environmental friendliness.

Aside from perfecting his coffee formula, Huynh ventured to the Central Highlands to source bamboo tubes. Opting for a specific bamboo species known for its large stem and hollow core, he collaborated with farmers to obtain sticks about 16 cm long, and 5 cm wide, featuring a smooth branch and leaf base. The shop imports over 1,000 bamboo tubes weekly, using more than 150 tubes each day. The bamboo tubes undergo meticulous cleaning with soap and water three times before being air-dried in preparation for brewing.

Huynh acknowledges the additional time and effort involved in preparing coffee and cleaning bamboo tubes compared to regular shops. However, he believes the visually appealing green color of the bamboo tubes, the enhanced aroma, and the environmentally friendly aspect contribute to a more enjoyable coffee-drinking experience.

The coffee shop's menu exclusively features coffee in bamboo tubes, with options ranging from original coffee to milk-infused variants, including a signature pandan milk coffee, priced between 26,000 and 32,000 VND. Huynh emphasizes that these prices include the cost of the bamboo straws (12,000 VND) and customers can choose to consume on-site or take away. For takeout orders, bamboo straws are secured with coconut leaf handles and covered with food wrap instead of lids.

To maintain hygiene, each bamboo tube is typically reused around five times. Huynh encourages customers to exchange used bamboo tubes for complimentary drinks due to the relatively high cost of the straws. The shop sells approximately 150 cups daily, with higher sales over the weekends. Each cup takes about 4 minutes to prepare, slightly longer than regular coffee, leading to waiting times of nearly 10 minutes during peak hours. On some days, the shop closes early due to a shortage of cups.

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On average, Huynh sells nearly 200 cups daily, and plans include sourcing additional bamboo tubes for opening new branches. Operating from 7 am to 10:30 am and 3 pm to 10:30 pm daily, the shop's limited street-side space often leads customers to park elsewhere, with most opting for takeout due to the small interior space.

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