Vietnamese Start-up: Soap Bubble Market

(Baonghean) - When I was in Paris, I often went to a small coffee shop in the 13th district. Objectively speaking, this shop had nothing special: normal drinks, normal decoration, and an…normal location.

Illustration photo - Source Internet

Actually, the habit of sitting at this cafe is associated with a somewhat funny hobby: playing scratch-off lottery. Right next to this cafe is a grocery store, so after buying a winning scratch-off ticket (5 euros), I sat down at an empty table in the cafe and ordered a cup of hot cocoa with lots of whipped cream. And then, in the cold of the Paris winter, what could be more enjoyable than sipping hot cocoa, slowly scratching each number on the ticket, carefully checking it against the winning numbers.

I used to call the waiter at the cafe the god of luck. Every time he passed my table, he would wink mischievously and ask: “How’s your luck today?” - Hmm, not so good. - Oh come on, I just poured double cream on your cocoa and don’t tell the boss or I’ll be the unlucky one.” A conversation that had no beginning or end, but still brightened the mood a little. There were days when the god of luck smiled on me, and I kept scratching out 10 and 15 euros. Rewarding myself with a few more scratch cards - just to prolong the joy - I waved the waiter over and asked him to sit down and scratch one. It was a winning 5 euros ticket, which I told him to keep - a kind of tip. In return, I received a big smile and the trademark wink.

After returning to Vietnam, I had the opportunity to visit many coffee shops, many of which were famous. Most of them invested heavily in the layout, drinks or location of the shop, but somehow I still could not find the same feeling of attachment as with the small, ordinary shop in Paris back then. Maybe it was not their fault, but between us, there was a lack of a bit of chance, a fate, a catalyst to turn the occasional step into a habit.

In recent days, I have heard people talk a lot about a famous coffee brand - let's say so. A promising "start-up" model when the number of stores multiplied rapidly in a short time after its launch, receiving investment capital up to 6 digits in foreign currency from foreign investment funds. However, that famous business chain was accused by a raw material supplier of "delaying debt" of billions of dong, avoiding payment. Controversy broke out on forums that gather young businessmen. Many people criticized the start-up model for chasing quantity, flashy appearance and sky-high financial reports that blinded investment funds. Some people also said that there is nothing wrong with start-up businessmen transferring the model, because that is also a type of business and buyers must be alert.

I am not in business so I do not care much about the right and wrong stories that people are arguing about. I only feel a little sad when thinking about the flashy coffee shops that were built just to… sell to someone else. I only feel a little sad for the customers who attach their personal pleasure to a familiar space, only to suddenly see everything change one day - for no reason. Start-ups that chase after virtual numbers on paper certainly cannot last long. And when that happens, not only the dream of the business person but also the love of the customers will burst like a soap bubble.

Hai Trieu