Beautiful Vietnam
Danang cafe sends message about traffic culture
  • By Khanh Hong | dtinews.vn | July 15, 2013 10:44 AM

A coffee shop on Tran Nhan Tong Street, Danang City, makes a unique impression on its customers by its novel use of traffic as a decoration theme.

A corner of the coffee shop

The shop is owned by a 56-year old photographer named Nguyen Van My. He is also known as My Dung.

Even the name of the cafe, Signboards, serves to draw attention. The two sides of the gate are made out of bicycle accessories. Tables and chairs have been improvised from bicycle frames and the place for customers to put their feet are bicycle pedals.  

The menu is designed look like a a traffic rule book, and includes not only drinks but traffic signs. The dishes bare warnings such as "Be careful", "Don't drink and drive" or "Better awareness reduces accidents". Even the staff's uniforms bare these warnings.   

In the middle of the yard there is a big cage containing dozens of horns. The owner said this cage is supposed to send a message; that any place in which you do not hear the noise of horns means there is no traffic and is a place of peace. He hopes that one day Vietnam will be a place where no traffic horns will be heard.

He added that the gate being made out of bicycles is supposed to remind people of a means of transport that is environmentally friendly, safer and good for your health.

In order to find the scraps he needed to create the furniture and decor, the owner visited scrap yards and and asked friends to buy traffic signs from driver training centres.  

After only one month being open, the coffee shop has attracted many young people. The owner says he plans to have traffic-themed exhibitions.

 

Signboards coffee shop 

 

Customers heed the menu 

 

The owner explains his concept to customers

 

Traffic signs printed on cups and utensils  

 

Dishes remind people to be careful

 

Traffic sign on a TV screen

 

Chairs made from car tyres

 

Horns in the cage

 

Signs printed on staff uniforms

The shop’s message

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