About 300 shipping containers transformed into booths has emerged as the top flea market and hangout for young people in Ho Chi Minh City with hundreds of things for sale, including home décor, gifts, cosmetics, accessories, clothing and food.
Located inside the Saigon Zoo & Botanical Garden in District 1, Rubik Zoo covers 5,000m2 and houses 300 stands built from shipping containers and tarpaulins.
Rubik Zoo is the second shipping container project developed by Hoang Tuan Anh, director of Phu Hoang Gia Investment Corp, after a similar entertainment complex called Eco Box Container in Celadon city, Tan Phu district, Ho Chi Minh City.
According to Hoang Tuan Anh, the use of used shipping containers for a flea market has many advantages, such as rapid design and construction time and ease of replacements and moving.
“These advantages help Rubik Zoo become an attractive place for start-ups with chances to have a booth right in the city’s centre with a reasonable rental price,” he added.
No longer just steel boxes, shipping containers at Rubik Zoo are transformed into colourful and beautiful booths. Some owners even created their booths with the shapes of some of the world’s wonders such as Big Ben and London Bridge.
Besides shopping booths, the semi-eco project also includes a street food section, takeout cafés, an entertainment space, a photo shoot area, a studio, and outdoor stages.
The complex, which attracts from 5,000-10,000 visitors at the weekend, has been completely rented.
“As most of the visitors to Rubik Zoo are young, shopaholics and food lovers, my business is going well here,” said Dang Thi Tuyet, owner of a takeaway food booth.
In order to avoid a monotonous and routine atmosphere, the positions of booths and spaces are frequently changed. According to Hoang Tuan Anh, Rubik Zoo’s management board will soon cooperate with travel and tour companies to attract foreign visitors to the complex.
Rubik Zoo is the second shipping container project developed by Hoang Tuan Anh, director of Phu Hoang Gia Investment Corp, after a similar entertainment complex called Eco Box Container in Celadon city, Tan Phu district, Ho Chi Minh City.
According to Hoang Tuan Anh, the use of used shipping containers for a flea market has many advantages, such as rapid design and construction time and ease of replacements and moving.
 Rubik Zoo is open from 5p.m to 10p.m daily. Photo: Kim Phuong/VNP  A Hue vintage style restaurant. Photo: Kim Phuong/VNP  Containers are transformed into booths.  A corner of the cafe is decorated in the Japanese style.  The cafe is decorated impressively.  Violet tables and chairs at the cafe.  Rubik Zoo is a favourite place for taking photos for youngsters. Photo: Kim Phuong/VNP  Young people enjoy drinks in containers. |
“These advantages help Rubik Zoo become an attractive place for start-ups with chances to have a booth right in the city’s centre with a reasonable rental price,” he added.
No longer just steel boxes, shipping containers at Rubik Zoo are transformed into colourful and beautiful booths. Some owners even created their booths with the shapes of some of the world’s wonders such as Big Ben and London Bridge.
Besides shopping booths, the semi-eco project also includes a street food section, takeout cafés, an entertainment space, a photo shoot area, a studio, and outdoor stages.
The complex, which attracts from 5,000-10,000 visitors at the weekend, has been completely rented.
“As most of the visitors to Rubik Zoo are young, shopaholics and food lovers, my business is going well here,” said Dang Thi Tuyet, owner of a takeaway food booth.
In order to avoid a monotonous and routine atmosphere, the positions of booths and spaces are frequently changed. According to Hoang Tuan Anh, Rubik Zoo’s management board will soon cooperate with travel and tour companies to attract foreign visitors to the complex.
Story: Son Nghia Photos: Kim Phuong
