Saigon Smoothie Haven: 28 Years of Silent Harmony Between Owner and Guests

The Mai family communicates with their hundreds of daily patrons solely through paper and pen.

Saigon Smoothie Haven: 28 Years of Owner-Guest Silent Connection

On Võ Văn Tần street (District 3, Saigon), amidst the bustling crowd, as dusk sets in, one can witness a couple, weathered by age, meticulously arranging dozens of fruits on a paint-peeled glass display. They are Mrs. Tuyet Mai (47 years old) and Mr. Son Chien (57 years old).

The unconventional means of communication at this quaint roadside spot involve paper and pen. Both Mr. Chien and Mrs. Mai have been mute since childhood.

Originally from Da Nang, Mrs. Mai met Mr. Chien, a Mekong Delta native, at a special school for the hearing-impaired in Binh Duong. Their shared time under the school's roof sparked a deep affection in Mr. Chien for Mrs. Mai.

Before their fateful union, both endured turbulent times marked by youthful disagreements. Once, angered by a quarrel, Mrs. Mai left Binh Duong, returning to Da Nang. Overwhelmed by longing, the young man from the Mekong Delta tracked down her address, traversing nearly a thousand kilometers to apologize and propose to Mrs. Mai. After the wedding ceremony, they ventured together to establish a fruit smoothie business in Saigon in 1990.

Amidst the blurry glow of streetlights, in a small notebook, Mrs. Mai recounts how she and Mr. Chien started this fruit smoothie shop in 1990. Up to now, the couple has been closely tied to Saigon for 28 years.

Thanks to the rich aroma of fruit blends, affordable prices, and the attentive care of the owners, the shop attracts hundreds of customers every night. The couple is also cherished and assisted by those living nearby.

Currently residing in a small house on Nguyen Dinh Chieu street, District 3, the smoothie cart is kept at the premises of an acquaintance on Vo Van Tan street for a monthly fee of over 100,000 VND. They also receive electricity from a nearby fashion store for around 400,000 VND per month. 'I feel compassion for them, so for many years, I've provided free water for washing glasses and cups for their customers,' a young man living nearby shares.

Around 6 PM, Mr. Chien transports the freshly cleaned fruits from home to the shop. Mrs. Mai arranges them attractively in the display. She mentions that all the fruits are sourced from acquaintances outside the market or bought directly from the supermarket to ensure freshness and quality.

The shop also has an assistant, Mr. Tai, who is the couple's nephew. In his early 30s and born with congenital deafness, he communicates with them through eye signals and hand gestures when arranging tables and chairs or expressing intentions.

The menu at this unique spot boasts nearly 20 different smoothies and juices, priced at an average of 30,000 VND per glass. Guests will enjoy their treats seated on low chairs.

Many regulars often opt for takeout rather than dine-in. 'I've been having smoothies here for over a decade. The dedicated couple works hard rain or shine, so whenever I crave a smoothie, I come here to show my support,' shares Ms. Hien, a resident of District 3.

Perhaps, to varying degrees, everyone who visits the shop senses the optimism exuded by the couple in their lives. A radiant smile on the faces of the shop owners is a common sight. Regulars don't need to say a word; they patiently wait for a small piece of paper and a ballpoint pen from the owners. Even first-time customers easily empathize after witnessing their unique method of exchanging information.

Currently, the shop opens its doors from around 6 PM to 11:30 PM every day. After closing, the couple returns home together, then heads straight to the wholesale market to procure fresh fruits. Afterward, they sleep until nearly noon the next day. The preparations for the business also commence from this point until reopening.

Amidst this urban center of nearly 9 million people, perhaps the owners of C&M smoothie shop, like many other culinary establishments, strive for livelihood. However, when asked if they face any challenges in their business, Mrs. Mai swiftly writes the word “No” and returns to press the button on the blender, filled with milk, crushed ice, and luscious avocado slices.

Source: Phong Vinh/Vnexpress

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Reference: Travel guide Mytour