A cafe in Hanoi has attracted many customers with the appearance of some capybara.
The shop, located in Ha Hoi Village in Tran Hung Dao Ward, allows customers to play with the animals, which are loved by many people, especially children, for their cute looks and friendly manner.
Customers pay a fee of VND120,000 (USD4.9) for a drink, a 25-minute play with a capybara, and some food to feed the animal. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult when playing with the animal to ensure safety.
While many customers, especially young people and children, said they enjoyed the experience, others complained about the high prices and the poor quality of the drinks.
"I took my daughter here last week," a 34-year-old woman, Nguyen Ha Lan, said. "I paid VND120,000 and received a bottled drink and a 25-minute play with capybara. I had expected fresh fruit juice, tea, or coffee from the shop. But with that drink, I think the prices here are too expensive."
Another customer, Nguyen Tat Khanh, complained that the shop was crowded and the capybara looked tired.
"There were only three capybaras here, and they seemed frightened and tired," Khanh said. "I think the living environment here is not suitable for them too. Capybaras should live in a natural area with green trees, lakes, and rivers instead of being kept indoors in air-conditioned rooms. I'm worried for their health."
Earlier, some pet coffee shops in HCM and Dalat cities also added a room with capybaras and other rooms with dogs or cats to offer customers more experiences.