"Zero-dong kitchen" at the sea border

In early September, when the coastal town of Song Cau was still filled with the dry late summer sun, the grounds of Xuan Dai Border Guard Station became extremely bustling.

Steaming pots of rice and batches of hot fresh food were passed around, filled with all the dedication of the officers, soldiers and members of the Hanh Nguyen Club. Together they lit up the “Zero Dong Kitchen” - a simple model but carrying with it so much warmth of human love.

During the three days of implementation, the kitchen cooked and distributed 750 free meals to the elderly, homeless people, poor patients being treated at Song Cau Medical Center and hard-working workers with difficult circumstances in the area. "It's been a long time since I had a full meal like this," said Ms. Bui Thi Loi (Phuong Phu quarter, Xuan Dai ward), a patient being treated at Song Cau Medical Center, her eyes blurred with emotion. She had been hospitalized for many days, her health was poor, her children and grandchildren lived far away, her meals were usually just a cold loaf of bread or a bowl of thin porridge. Now, sitting in front of a lunch box with meat, fish, and vegetable soup, she smiled as she ate: "Rice has the sweetness of human love."

Officers and soldiers of Xuan Dai Border Guard Station and Hanh Nguyen Club enthusiastically prepared the meals.

Patients familiar with the “zero-dong kitchen” at Song Cau Medical Center now regard the border guards as their family. They jokingly call it “Army food” and look forward to each meal, not only to fill their stomachs but also to feel warmed and shared.

Many poor workers who make a living on the streets, who worry about their meals every day, could not hide their surprise and gratitude when they received a hot meal from the soldiers. A tricycle driver said: "There were days when I only ate a pack of noodles, but now I receive free rice with soup and meat. Eating the soldiers' food feels like eating at home."

Major Vu Ly Huynh, Deputy Political Commissar of Xuan Dai Border Guard Station, said: “During our field trips, we witnessed many poor patients being treated without enough money for each meal. There were old people who only ate instant noodles to get by, and there were workers far from home struggling with a bowl of thin porridge. Those images haunted us forever. That is why Xuan Dai Border Guard Station discussed with Hanh Nguyen Club to initiate the model "Zero-dong Kitchen" in the hope of supporting people with simple meals but full of love. Each meal delivered is a word of encouragement, a warm handshake. We want the poor and sick to have less worries, more confidence to soon return to their families and return to their daily lives."

And so, every month, officers and soldiers of Xuan Dai Border Guard Station and members of Hanh Nguyen Club light a fire, cook, and prepare each meal thoughtfully as if it were for family members. Since its deployment in early 2025, the kitchen has given away more than 6,750 free meals to lonely elderly people, poor patients, disadvantaged workers, and homeless people.

Major Vu Ly Huynh visited and handed out meals to people in Song Cau ward.

For members of the Hanh Nguyen Club, this is also an opportunity for members to share love, making each volunteer trip more complete. Mr. Nguyen Vu Thanh, Chairman of the Hanh Nguyen Club confided: "Seeing the elderly and poor patients moved to receive rice, we understand more deeply the meaning of the two words "companionship". Hanh Nguyen is not just a name but a way of life, a promise".

For Xuan Dai Border Guard Station, the kitchen is not only a volunteer activity but also a part of the persistent journey with local authorities and Party committees to implement social security policies.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202509/bep-an-0-dong-noi-bien-gioi-bien-43c161f/