A man-made waterfall, approximately 10 meters high, serves as the cafe's central attraction. Boats are available on the lake at the base of the waterfall, allowing guests to take photos in the middle of the water. The area surrounding the lake and waterfall features a system of pathways resembling caves.

A week after its reopening, Thien Canh Vien cafe in Ho Chi Minh City is bustling with customers, who start queuing from 8:00 AM to buy tickets for entry, sightseeing, and photography.

On the weekend of August 22-23 alone, the cafe welcomed over 1,000 guests. This high volume of visitors often leads to queues outside the establishment, particularly in the mornings and evenings.

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Six months after a fire, the cafe was rebuilt with a new design inspired by an oriental ancient town, primarily utilizing wood and roof tiles. Prior to the fire, the cafe was known for its "garden of eden" theme, which featured wooden, tiled houses reminiscent of Vietnam's Northwest region, set amidst thousands of green trees.

The cafe currently offers over 100 tables, arranged both indoors and outdoors, along corridors, and around miniature landscapes.

The cafe owner revealed that it took over six months to complete the new space, with an investment cost of nearly tens of billions of VND. The construction of the caves (pictured) and the waterfall required the most time due to their high technical demands and complexity.

By approximately 9:00 AM, most tables in the central area are already occupied. Many guests take the opportunity to apply makeup before their photoshoots.

The cafe owner stated that while the return of customers is a positive sign, the rapid increase in numbers poses challenges in managing peak hours.

Nguyen Thanh Tam, 29 years old, from Gia Dinh ward, expected the cafe to be less crowded after the fire but was surprised upon arrival. She had to wait almost one hour to photograph her favorite spot.

"It was so crowded that taking pictures was quite difficult," she remarked.

Visiting the cafe on August 23, Do Thi Thao Loan, 19 years old, was impressed by the cafe's "willingness to invest," noting that this reopening offered even more "Instagrammable" spots than before. However, Loan believes the entrance fee is quite high for a student's budget, making it difficult to visit frequently.

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The cafe operates from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, with an entrance fee of 130,000 VND per person, which includes one drink. From 5:00 PM, the restaurant area serves Vietnamese dishes.

In the evenings, the cafe illuminates with colorful lights, combining the waterfall, lake, greenery, smoke effects, and acoustic music. Many guests commented that the night scenery is more beautiful than during the day, making them willing to wait longer for photos.

Tuan Anh

Photos: Quynh Tran