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Into the Jurassic World: Ho Chi Minh City cafe transports guests into the past with 200 dinosaur models

Saturday, October 15, 2022, 09:51 GMT+7
Into the Jurassic World: Ho Chi Minh City cafe transports guests into the past with 200 dinosaur models
A 6m-high Brachiosaurus on display at the entrance of SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre New

SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Ho Chi Minh City sends its customers millions of years into the past with the 200 dinosaur models displayed throughout the property.

Owner Pham Cong Ly began planning to open the café about two years ago, but waited until July of this year to inaugurate SAURUS at 258r Duong Quang Ham Street in Go Vap District. 

Though dinosaurs are on display throughout the café, perhaps the most shocking model is the six-meter-tall Brachiosaurus that greets guests at the entrance.

“I have had a passion for dinosaurs since I was a child,” Ly said. 

“I thought it would be ‘normal’ if I just opened an exhibition space, and I know that Vietnamese love to hang out with friends at cafes, so I decided to open a place where people can meet, eat, drink, and watch dinosaurs.”

Owner Pham Cong Ly (right) discusses dinosaurs with a guest at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
Owner Pham Cong Ly (right) discusses dinosaurs with a guest at his SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

SAURUS is open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm every day and has an entire floor dedicated to exhibiting dinosaurs.

A dinosaur model on display at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
A dinosaur model on display at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

“I want to serve people of all ages who love dinosaurs and want more knowledge about dinosaurs, as well as people who are interested in making models,” Ly said. 

“I hope my café can provide an interesting experience with its space, food, drinks, and models.

“I also plan to run a workshop where people can work on models and paintings so that they can play while they learn.

“We’re now working with international and private schools to organize extracurricular activities for students.”

Families and children enjoy dinosaur models while have drinks at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
Families and children enjoy dinosaur models while have drinks at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
A space at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery is dedicated to exhibiting dinosaur models. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
A space at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery is dedicated to exhibiting dinosaur models. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

Nguyen Huu Loi, a resident of District 12, brought his two sons to SAURUS after learning about the café on social media. 

Nguyen Huu Loi and his family look at dinosaur models on display at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
Nguyen Huu Loi and his family look at dinosaur models on display at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

“My kids love the models so much, and before they could only see them on TV, so they were very excited to visit this cafe,” Loi said. 

“It’s normally crowded on the weekend, so I try to take my boys here on weekdays so that they can have more space to play.”

A little boy reacts to seeing a dinosaur on his cake at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
A little boy reacts to seeing a dinosaur on his cake at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
Information about a model on display at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
Information about a model on display at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
A woman takes a picture of a dinosaur model on display at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
A woman takes a picture of a dinosaur model on display at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
Two guests react to dinosaur models at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
Two guests react to dinosaur models at SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
Children reacts while visiting SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News
Children react while visiting SAURUS Coffee & Gallery in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News

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