Restaurants in HCM City were packed at the end of the Tet holidays as workers and students gathered to relax after the long round of feasting with family and friends.

 Restaurant packed with customers

Patrons were reluctant to surrender the holiday mood, but were also keen for a taste of simpler foods, and to share stories of their holidays.

A restaurant in HCM City, which specialises in com tam, or broken rice, was crowded almost as soon as it opened its doors, with queues forming outside for a seat.

"I had to wait a long time for a seat. We've all had quite enough Chung cake and pork rolls," said Tran Van Hao, a local in HCM City.

Restaurants and noodle shops were full. A noodle shop on Van Kiep Street placed tables on the pavement, but still could not meet the demand.

 Eating out on pavements

A restaurant owner on Van Kiep Street said, "Because there are still many shops and restaurants which haven't opened yet we have more customers. And some of our employees haven't returned to work, so the waiting time is longer than usual."

Even though many restaurants keep their prices stable, several restaurants loaded their prices by VND5,000, charging VND35,000 for a bowl. Most customers shrugged off the extra charge, but a few were unhappy.

"Will the prices go down? I'm scared that restaurants will take advantage of this occasion to increase prices permanently," said a local on Dinh Tien Hoang Street.