Bringing Pho with love to the flood-stricken areas.

This morning, January 8th, more than 5,000 people in Hoa Thinh commune enjoyed hot bowls of pho served directly by owners of famous pho restaurants as part of the "Pho of Love" program.

Báo Tuổi Trẻ•08/01/2026

Pho of Love - Photo 1.

Artist Truong Giang and delegates participate in the ritual of lighting the fire to cook pho at the "Pho of Love 2025" program - pho for flood-stricken areas in Hoa Thinh commune, Dak Lak province on the evening of January 7th - Photo: QUANG DINH

Just a few months ago, this place was still engulfed in devastating floods. The water rose rapidly overnight, sweeping away belongings and crops, submerging rooftops, and bringing widespread grief.

Now that the new houses are nearing completion, the joy is further amplified by a charitable event – the "Pho of Love" event organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper, along with many famous pho brands nationwide, bringing warm bowls of pho filled with human kindness to the people of Hoa Thinh commune, Dak Lak province (formerly Phu Yen ) after months of battling devastating floods.

"Just being alive is a blessing."

"At that time, all we hoped was that the water wouldn't rise any higher..." is a phrase that people kept repeating after the recent devastating flood. Ms. Bui Thi Thu (My Xuan 1 village, Hoa Thinh commune) teared up as she recalled the three days of historic flooding. Having lived for nearly 90 years, this was the first time she had seen the water rise so high.

"The water rose very quickly, so I had to go to Long Quang Pagoda next door to wait for rescue, while my son climbed onto the roof, removed the tiles, and sat there. When we were hungry, we ate a packet of instant noodles, but I've lost all my teeth, so I couldn't eat much," the old woman recounted.

During the severe flood, Mrs. Thu slipped and fell when the water rose, breaking a rib. Because the water was so deep that she couldn't walk or get to the clinic, she had to endure the pain for nearly 10 days, waiting for the water to recede before she could see a doctor and receive treatment.

Ms. Phan Thi Hong (from Phu Huu village) said her family suffered heavy losses. After the flood, her family was left almost penniless as 2 cows, 5 pigs, and 100 ducks were swept away by the water, and all the chickens they were raising for Tet (Lunar New Year) also died.

"During the flood, my family spent the whole day on the roof, starving. Rescue boats couldn't reach us because the current was too strong. At that time, we all told ourselves that we were just happy to be alive, that we still had our belongings," said Ms. Hong.

Pho of Love - Photo 2.

Ms. Tran Thi Lanh receives an invitation to eat pho at her new house, which was recently built by the soldiers - Photo: MINH CHIEN

Seeing acts of sharing is already a source of happiness.

As the aroma of the broth spread, lively conversations filled the air. The joy was even more complete when, on the afternoon of January 7th, the people of Hoa Thinh commune had the opportunity to meet and enjoy cultural performances with artist Truong Giang, singer Minh Hoang, and the Sao Bien dance and music troupe...

Upon hearing the news that Truong Giang was coming to Hoa Thinh, people flocked to the area where the "Pho of Love" event was being held from early afternoon to wait for him. This was because, for many, it was the first time they had seen a celebrity in person.

"Knowing about the 'Pho of Love' program and that artist Truong Giang is participating, everyone is happy. I really like Truong Giang because he's a charming comedian. Even though I knew there would be a lot of people, I still wanted to come early to have a chance to participate."

"The atmosphere was very joyful and warm. Seeing everyone loving and helping each other made me feel much lighter. Even though it was crowded, just being there and witnessing the sharing made me happy," said Ms. Phan Thi Hong.

On the afternoon of January 7th, as soon as artist Truong Giang appeared, the atmosphere at the opening ceremony became more lively than ever. Many people surrounded him, hoping to meet him. After greeting the people, artist Truong Giang quickly put on an apron and joined the kitchens cooking pho for the locals.

Artist Truong Giang went to pho stalls, rolled up his sleeves, and helped the artisans cook pho. While working, he meticulously inquired about the pho cooking process, how to select ingredients, and the secrets to maintaining the sweet and savory flavor of the broth.

Pho of Love - Photo 3.

Despite her advanced age, Mrs. Bui Thi Thu still came to Pho Yeu Thu (Pho of Love) to watch the pho being cooked and wait to meet artist Truong Giang - Photo: LAN HUONG

Over 5,000 residents of Hoa Thinh were invited to eat pho.

After the floods, the collapsed houses were rebuilt by the soldiers into sturdy, storm- and flood-resistant homes. The joy of the people of Hoa Thinh commune was further amplified when they learned that Truong Giang would be joining the "Pho of Love" program as an ambassador. For many, the appearance of Truong Giang and other artists not only brought joy but also served as a great source of encouragement.

Holding a pho invitation in his hand, Mr. Tran Van Khanh (76 years old) - a resident of Phu Huu village - said that his house was completely destroyed, and he and his wife had to take refuge at a neighbor's house to escape the flood. On January 4th, they were handed a new house by the 5th Military Region.

"I'm so happy to have a new house, and now that the village head has given me a ticket to attend the 'Pho of Love' program, I'm even happier. During the flood, my wife, neighbors, and I sat on piles of straw, sharing packets of instant noodles. At that time, all we craved was a bowl of rice or pho, but we didn't have any. Now that I've been invited, I'll come and eat some pho and then ask to take some home for my wife because she's sick," Mr. Khanh said.

Not far from Mr. Khanh's house is the house of Mrs. Tran Thi Lanh (80 years old). Upon receiving the invitation to eat pho, she happily said: "I live alone in a house that was recently built by the soldiers. Now I'm invited to eat pho, and I also received gifts and met actor Truong Giang. I'm so happy. I'm old and can't eat much, but I'm happy because I always receive the care of many people. Although my leg hurts a little, I asked to come with my neighbor's car to attend."

From early morning on January 7th throughout the day, many people gathered around the simmering pots of broth on the stoves. For them, it wasn't just about waiting for a bowl of pho, but about waiting for a truly warm day after a series of cold days due to the natural disaster.

Bringing Pho with love to the flood-stricken area - Photo 4.

Photo: Q.D.

As part of the "Pho of Love" days, journalist Tran Xuan Toan - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi Tre newspaper and Mr. Nguyen Nguyen Phuong - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade - visited and presented gifts to the family of Mr. Ta Luu Truong. The devastating flood claimed the lives of his parents, leaving the family in deep sorrow; January 7th also marks the 49th day since their passing.

Silently wiping away the tears that welled up, Truong recounted that on November 18, 2025, he completely lost contact with his parents. "When the water receded, seeing the devastation before our eyes, no one could hold back their tears. I could only cry when I saw my mother lying dead on the floor. At 2 PM on November 20, I found my father floating 300 meters from home. Before that, I was still praying he was alive, even though I knew in my heart he was gone," Truong recalled.

Within the framework of Pho Day on December 12th, the "Pho of Love" program has been running continuously for six years since 2019. The program has brought pho to many children, disadvantaged people, people in remote areas, and localities severely affected by natural disasters. On January 7th and 8th at the Hoa Thinh Commune Cultural Center, Dak Lak, "Pho of Love 2025" will distribute over 5,000 bowls of pho, thousands of gifts, and 320 million VND to students and residents of Hoa Thinh following the historic floods at the end of November 2025.

The program was organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, in coordination with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dak Lak province and Hoa Thinh commune. These bowls of pho were cooked by top Vietnamese pho chefs such as Pho Ta (Binh Tay Food), Pho Thin Bo Ho, Pho Phu Gia, Pho Nha, Pho Phat Tai…

The people enjoyed a cultural program featuring performances by artists from Ho Chi Minh City and the Sao Bien Folk Music and Dance Theatre. Notably, the program also included the participation of artist Truong Giang as the ambassador of "Pho of Love." Truong Giang personally contributed 200 million VND in cash and 500 cartons of milk to the children in Hoa Thinh commune.

Thank you to all the generous hearts who have been and are continuing to spread the warmth of Vietnamese pho and the spirit of Vietnamese people alongside Tuoi Tre newspaper: Ho Chi Minh City Development Commercial Bank (HDBank), Acecook Vietnam Joint Stock Company, Binh Tay Food Joint Stock Company, Kafi Securities Joint Stock Company, LC Foods Joint Stock Company, and Phat Tai Pho.

Pho of Love - Photo 4.