Enjoying free meals amidst the garden at the hospital.

No one has ever been happy going to the hospital, but at Le Van Thinh Hospital (Binh Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), there's a green corner filled with laughter every day because of acts of kindness.

The refreshing green space of the happy dining hall - Photo: AN VI

That green corner is called the "happy dining hall," where free vegetarian meals are served to help ease the financial burden on hospital patients. It's also very green and cool, thanks to the hospital's generous provision of a spacious and comfortable area for activities.

Free meals in the cool shade of a garden.

Every lunchtime from Monday to Friday, when the clock strikes 11:15, the canteen happily welcomes a long line of patiently waiting people. Ms. Tram Thi Hong Dang opens the canteen gate, accompanied by a charming invitation: "Please come in and get your lunch, we've prepared everything."

The 29-year-old woman has been in charge of the Happy Home since its inception. For nearly four years, she and four other members have consistently maintained the flame of kindness, providing heartwarming meals.

What's special about this kitchen is the large space the hospital allocates for Ms. Dang's team to work in. Besides the clean kitchen area inside, there are more than a dozen sets of tables and chairs that are meticulously cleaned, and many stone benches and gazebos in the green garden. "What patients like most here is the garden area next to it; the hospital lets us use it for patients to sit and have lunch in a cool, pleasant environment," Ms. Dang shared.

Speaking about the special "privileges" given to patients, Mr. Tran Quang Chau - Head of the Social Work Department of Le Van Thinh Hospital - said that the area previously used for planting trees was used by the hospital to grow medicinal herbs for treatment.

"Since the kitchen started operating, we noticed a large number of patients coming to receive meals, so we decided to use the area where we grow medicinal herbs for patients to sit and eat," Mr. Chau added.

Many patients undergoing long-term treatment at the hospital are also very familiar with this cool, green eating spot. After receiving their meals, they go straight to the garden to sit and eat. Amidst the sweltering heat of Saigon, many say that eating here is even more "comfortable" than sitting in an air-conditioned room.

Ms. Hong Dang (front row) and other members have been running the kitchen for four years - Photo: AN VI

Keep the fire burning regularly.

To prepare these meals, starting at 8:30 a.m., when many examination areas only have a few people coming and going, the fires behind the small dining hall are already burning.

Ms. Dang and four other members started washing vegetables early in the morning. The sound of knives and cutting boards clattering on the table filled the air as they quickly divided the portions. Without needing to be told, each person did their part to ensure 300 portions were ready for distribution by 11:15 AM.

"There are only four main people, everyone volunteered, some even came all the way from District 7 (formerly) to cook," Ms. Dang said, then turned to remind the elderly woman to keep an eye on the boiling pot of soup. After distributing all the rice, everyone cleaned up, washed the trays, and wiped down the stove. Around 2 PM, the kitchen finally quieted down, everyone went back to their own tasks, promising to return the next morning at 8:30 AM.

The kitchen serves vegetarian meals, and the menu is constantly changing so that diners don't get bored. Some days it's rice with vegetables, tofu, or mock meat dishes; other days it switches to vegetarian vermicelli soup or vegetarian noodle soup... "Every week we try to have a few soupy dishes so that people can eat easily, especially those who are sick and have difficulty swallowing dry dishes like these at lunchtime," Ms. Dang said.

Speaking about the name "Happy Canteen," she said it has been kept since the kitchen started operating. According to Ms. Dang, the name sounds simple but reflects what everyone aspires to: "I hope that people who come here will have a delicious meal without spending too much money; saving even a few tens of thousands of dong is valuable. As for us, this is like a shared home; working together is very enjoyable, so we call it 'Happy'."

Among the people queuing for lunch, there were familiar faces that the kitchen staff remembered well, especially the dialysis patients. They were often given priority to receive their meals first so they could be on time for their treatments.

"There were people who came down to eat every day. Then suddenly, after a while, we didn't see them anymore. We just hoped they would get better and come back here for a follow-up appointment someday, rather than hoping for that worst-case scenario," Ms. Dang said, her voice softening.

The funding for maintaining the kitchen mainly comes from philanthropists and support from the hospital's social work department. However, fundraising has become more difficult in recent years.

"From 2025 onwards, fundraising has become difficult. Fortunately, the hospital and the social work department have provided additional rice and essential supplies, so we're still trying to keep the kitchen running for the people. Now, we accept whatever anyone gives us; many people bring fruit, and we peel it for them to enjoy as dessert," she said.

I hope that everyone who comes here can enjoy a delicious meal without spending too much money; even saving a few tens of thousands of dong is valuable.

Ms. Tram Thi Hong Dang

Helping to reduce doctor's expenses

Pointing towards the man approaching on a three-wheeled vehicle, Ms. Dang said he was a regular customer of the kitchen, seen every week. He is Le Thanh Huan (69 years old, residing in Binh Trung ward) who often comes to the hospital for follow-up examinations and to get medicine.

He said jokingly that he'd gotten used to eating at this canteen, and sometimes, even when he didn't have a scheduled appointment, he'd just hop on his motorbike and come here to ask for a lunch. "Sometimes I crave it so much, and the food at home isn't tasty, so I just come here. The ladies recognize me, they just give me the food without asking any questions," he laughed, holding the tray of food he'd just received, and went straight to sit in the garden.

For patients like him, a meal is more than just about filling their stomachs: "Going to the doctor costs a lot of money. Medicine, gas, and food too. Having a meal here saves tens of thousands of dong, and those tens of thousands are precious to an old person like me."

For Mrs. Nguyen Thu Thuy (66 years old, residing in Nhon Trach commune, Dong Nai province), a hospital cleaner, each meal here is a source of support that helps ease the burden of making a living in the expensive city.

With a salary of around 6 million VND per month, her life is always a struggle. After finishing her morning work, she rushes to the front gate of the hospital to look for free meals. "Every day, I run back and forth to see if anyone is giving me anything, because I need to save my salary to raise my children and grandchildren," Ms. Thuy shared.

On her journey to make a living, the "Happy Canteen" became a familiar stop for her. Here, she didn't have to worry too much about lunch. The vegetarian meals were carefully prepared. "They even have extra rice here; I usually always get an extra ladleful. There are many dishes, so I find it very delicious," she said.

Although she wasn't used to vegetarianism before, she gradually adapted to it since working at the hospital and regularly eating charitable meals. "I've never been a vegetarian before, but now I find it delicious and I'm used to it," she said with a smile.

In addition to free meals, the hospital also provides a "compassionate rice cabinet" for people in difficult circumstances. "Just recently, I received 5kg of rice to take home for my children to cook, and thinking back, I feel so grateful," Mrs. Thuy confided.

For Ms. Thuy, the most precious thing is the feeling of being cared for and having someone to share with: "Seeing people doing charity work makes me very happy, because thanks to that, people like me who don't have much money can be helped to some extent."

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life and the worries of making ends meet, the "happy canteen" is helping to warm the hearts of those in need. For people like Mrs. Thuy, Mr. Huan, and others, this place truly is a "happy meal" in the truest sense, simple yet full of human kindness.

Patients and hospital staff line up for meals at 11:15 AM - Photo: AN VI

"Anyone is welcome to come and eat."

According to Mr. Tran Quang Chau, the "happy canteen" model was born in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, when patients and their relatives faced many difficulties due to social distancing. Initially, it was just an initiative to provide support during the pandemic, but gradually, this model became a regular activity.

"Besides serving patients, the canteen also serves healthcare workers, poor laborers, lottery ticket vendors, motorbike taxi drivers, and the homeless—anyone can stop by for a meal," Mr. Chau said.

He added that the resources to maintain the kitchen come from the contributions of philanthropists, organizations, and volunteers. In addition, the hospital's Social Work Department also mobilizes support for the costs of patients in the "3K, 4K" categories – those without health insurance, without relatives, without a place to live, and unable to pay hospital fees.

"Most of them are struggling laborers who have no one by their side when they get sick. The clinic will connect them with sources of support, and even search for and verify relatives so that patients can feel secure while receiving treatment," Mr. Chau shared.

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AN VI - NGOC SANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/an-com-mien-phi-giua-vuon-cay-trong-benh-vien-20260330104318006.htm