Drive thru concept arrives in Vietnam
by Teddy de burca

I heard about the capital city’s first ever “drive thru” bun cha restaurant and wondered had fast, convenient, modern dining for drivers finally arrived? But it wasn’t quite what I had imagined. Outside, on the pavement large signs said “no parking” and standing happily directing moving traffic inside stood a bunch of bao ve (motorbike security). And when I say directing inside, I mean, waving everyone in with the engines running. So I followed by swivelling through the door, not much wider than my handlebars. Not sure what to expect inside, I looked to my left, while driving at about 15kmph, and the “big momma” was sitting there frying up the pork, and whacking out plates of noodles. She smiled and waved me on, past the girls preparing the drinks, and all of the diners, all tucking into their tasty lunches, into the back which serves as a makeshift garage. I was then directed to sit back out in the front room, right by the “indoor road” where I ate lunch amidst the sound of traffic and a faint whiff of petrol. And there you have it – Vietnam’s first “drive thru” restaurant where take away is highly reccomended.