Some cafes in Trieu Viet Vuong, Lu Gia and Yet Kieu streets in Dalat City have set up small shacks for those who want to seek private pleasures.
Small shacks for who want to seek private pleasures
"The guests are mostly couples who want a private place for talking." a shop owner said.
But the actions in the tents are more private than normal standard. Each tent has one bench long enough for two, a small table, and a lamp. A board bans guests from bringing alcohol, stimulants, drugs, prostitutes or aphrodisiacs on the premises, warning customers that they need to take full responsibility.
However, it’s no surprise to find used condoms on the floor near the shacks.
The cafes in this area are always full during around 8-10 pm, with customers waiting hours for space. Those cafes are not only places for couples wanting somewhere private for an affair, and the price of VND100,000-200,000 (USD4.8-9.6) with drinks makes it even more attractive.
Huynh Thuc Khang Street has the highest number of shack cafes with eight or nine cafes located here. The price for each shack is VND60-80,000. If a customer arrives alone then the owner will assign one of his female staff to come and serve the customer. The most common price is VND300,000 or VND100,000 for lesser services.
A girl who works here said, "We only serve regular guests or at the order of the owners. We get VND200,000 each time but have to share several tens of thousands of VND with the owner too. Fast service is for VND300-400,000 and it's VND100,000 if you only want to talk."
To avoid attentions from the police, the girls will often pretend to be the costumer’s girlfriend and take care of them if a bad situation develops.
There are many kinds of disguised pleasure services in Dalat. Most of the girls are from the Mekong Delta or central region who are poor and have low levels of education but want and need to earn big money.
However, younger and younger girls are appearing, causing social problems, especially HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.