4:00 am coffee club: Da Nang’s youth swap sleep for sunrise

4:00 am coffee club: Da Nang’s youth swap sleep for sunrise

In Da Nang, a new trend is sweeping through the coastal city as young people gather as early as 4:00 am to sip coffee and enjoy breakfast while watching the sunrise over the iconic Han River.

As soon as the sun began to rise, the prime spots for taking photos were already filled with customers at a café in Da Nang, central Vietnam. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre

Trinh Café, a popular coffee chain with four locations across Da Nang, which is the hub of central Vietnam, has quickly become the go-to spot for this early morning ritual, particularly at its stand on the Bach Dang pedestrian street in Hai Chau District.

The café now opens its doors at 4:00 am, but many young people arrive even earlier to secure the best seats before dawn breaks.

Some customers go to great lengths for this experience, waking up as early as 2:00 or 3:00 am to select their outfits, apply makeup, and travel more than 10 kilometers for their morning coffee, despite still feeling half-asleep.

Phan Thanh Vuong, an 18-year-old local, recounted his experience of arriving at 4:00 am with friends, only to find a line already forming.

"It’s a unique and fun experience to sit here, sip coffee, and watch the sunrise, though I do feel a bit sleepy," Vuong said.

For many, this early morning coffee run has become a trendy ritual worth altering their schedules for – even if it means being late to school or work.

Others choose to catch up on sleep after their early breakfast and coffee.

Cao Ngoc Truong Thinh, a 20-year-old student at Duy Tan University in Da Nang, was among those already at the café before 4:00 am.

With no classes the next day, he planned to nap later.

"As students, we have plenty of free time, and we want to experience the latest trends," Thinh said.

"During exam season, we’re often up all night studying, so skipping sleep for coffee and sunrise isn’t too difficult."

The café owner noted that the new early hours and ‘Early Bird’ stickers have drawn many young locals and tourists to join this dawn phenomenon.

Tuoi Tre News