When throwing money down the drain makes sense

By Quynh Tran   June 17, 2019 | 08:23 pm PT
Tables inside concrete sewage pipes and on glass panels above a pond make a café on the outskirts of Saigon one of its kind.
When throwing money down the drain makes sense

"When the design company pitched the idea to me, I was super interested because it was a very unusual idea. I later hired a pipe maker who could produce these large-sized pipes because they are not available off the shelf," said Pham Minh Hoang, 31, the owner of Lily's Garden Coffee on No.6 Street, Thu Duc District.

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Hoang installed four pipes in the 700-square-meter café. Each reinforced concrete pipe is two meters across and almost three meters deep.

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They are set amid lush foliage.

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The interior has a fan and a lamp and is painted in a bright color. Each pipe can seat six customers comfortably. Chau, a 17-year-old student said: "I often come to this ‘sewage pipe’ during the weekend to study or chat with friends. I enjoy being here because it's very quiet and private, plus it feels cool."

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The café's wide variety of plants and flowers and the entrance covered in vines make it very Instagrammable.

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The garden has a pond in the center with Japanese koi and carp fishes.

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Atop the pond on tempered glass panels is a favorite spot for some. The café's theme is red and green.

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The air-conditioned area has two floors with a balcony overlooking the garden.

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The staircase is also brightly colored like the rest of the place.

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The café has live music at weekends.

 
 
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