Hi,
I have some questions/remarks/findings regarding doing business (coffeeshops in particular) in Saigon. My (vietnamese) girlfriend, who has some experience as a general manager in some coffeeshops, recently opened her own small coffeshop (in fact she took over an existing coffeshop).
As I dont have any experience regardings coffeeshops or business in general, I am curious because I am not yet convinced if her coffeeshop will be succesfull.
First, doing business in coffeeshops seems saturated to me. There are literally thousands of shops ranging from small steet vendors selling ca phé dau tot high end coffeeshops and everything inbetween. So this huge fierce competition makes me to believe that not many business making enough profits? I am right or wrong about that?
Secondly, I was a bit astonished by the hight rental prices in Saigon. Just for small coffeehops with limited tables rental prices are like 8million dong, which seems so high to me. I know other costs are rather low, but those rental costs seems like a heavy burden to me.
Thirdly, after strolling around trought many places in Saigon, there doesnt seems to be a golden receipt which makes your business succesful. Vietnamese seems to enjoy all sorts of business, from those fancy new style shops to sitting on those plastic children chairs next to a noisy construction. Or I am missing something?
Anyone here open to share their thoughts!?
thx in advanced