Cafes offering a range of sexual services have resumed operations in Ho Chi Minh City in recent months.
Waitresses serving guests at Thuy Tu café on Minh Phung Road
Cafes on Ung Van Khiem, Pham The Hien, Truong Phuoc Phan, Huong Lo 2, Minh Phuc and Hoa Binh roads all began operating as normal following a crackdown by local authorities in April.
New cafes
By 8pm, Thy Thy café on District 11’s Minh Phung Road is already busy. Dozens of waitresses in scanty clothes are serving guests at just VND100,000 (USD4.8) a go.
A waitress shared, “The cafe hasn’t been forced to close any single day since early this year. Sometimes, the police carry out a quick inspection and we’ve resumed everything straight after they leave.”
After a crackdown in April this year, a lot of new café are sprouting along Binh Tan District’s Truong Phuoc Phan Road. Each café has from four to five sexy waitresses to serve their guests.
Tricks to avoid inspection
A group of young people who work for the cafes follow the inspection groups, and when the inspectors near the coffee shops, the team reports to the shop owners to prepare for the raids.
By the time the authorities arrive, the cafes have long since closed up shot. But after half an hour’s break, they’ll resume operations.
Waitresses at 518 Huong Lo 2 Road regularly advised guests to go inside before ordering services in order to avoid drawing the attention of local authorities.
When one cafe is raided, the others in the surrounding area automatically stop operations for a while in order to prevent the same situation.
Many cafes close or lock the doors while providing services to guests. Despite being aware of their operations, local authorities have no right to gain entry to the premises.
Authorities struggle
Local authorities in HCM City continue to carry out inspections and apply punishments relating to the prostitution cafes but they have failed to stem the tide, with fines of between VND15 million and VND20 million (USD719.9-USD959.9) for not being stiff enough to act as a deterrent.
