A unique "0-dong" meal shop in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, saying thank you for accepting the meal.

Nha Thi distributes meals to everyone - Photo: Nguyen Hoang Tuan

This is the third week the young woman has been giving away free meals opposite Le Van Viet General Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City). So every Saturday evening from 6 PM onwards, a line of people queues up to receive the meals.

The people who came were patients from the hospital across the street, lottery ticket vendors, motorbike taxi drivers… Students also took the opportunity to stop by and receive meals to save on weekend food expenses. According to the reporter's observations, all 200 free meals were distributed in just 45 minutes.

A line of people receiving free rice meals - Photo: NGUYEN HOANG TUAN

This weekend's set meal includes grilled pork chop with rice, panna cotta, beauty-enhancing dessert soup, and milk. It's such a generous portion that even a small child would find it heavy to carry. If you have more than one person in your family, you can order one or two extra portions.

Nha Thi shared that the portion of rice was fixed, while the cakes and milk were donated by benefactors. Her group bought an entire rice shop for the evening and then distributed the food to everyone. The shop owner and her family even pitched in to help serve rice and divide the meat... to keep the shop running as quickly as possible. Despite the hard work, everyone was happy.

Each person received a generous portion of rice along with bread and milk donated by a benefactor - Photo: NGUYEN HOANG TUAN

"In the first week, we only bought 150 portions of rice. Then I saw people lining up behind us who didn't get any. I felt sad because everyone was waiting a long time, and the portions were limited. So from week 2-3, I increased it to 200 portions. I wanted to increase it even more, but the budget is limited," Nha Thi said with a smile.

The girl shared that word spread and people came. Before that, she had also messaged the security guard at the hospital to let him know, and asked philanthropists who had free time to come and help.

Holding two portions of rice in her hands, Ms. Bui Thi Phuong (living in Thu Duc City) said she makes a living selling lottery tickets. Hearing about the free rice dish, she stopped by to try it, but unexpectedly received milk, cakes, and more. Not to mention, the people in the restaurant enthusiastically gave her an extra portion for her daughter at home.

"They were very accommodating. If someone asked for two or three portions, they would give them to them right away. I bought rice without paying a single penny, and I even received thanks and wishes for a good meal… I was so happy," she said.

Ms. Phuong was happy with the dinner she and her daughter had - Photo: NGUYEN HOANG TUAN

Occasionally, kind-hearted people in the food stall would shout, "Don't worry, there'll be plenty of rice!", "Hey everyone, I'm giving priority to this guy. He's a motorbike taxi driver and needs to get around quickly!"... Hearing this, everyone happily parted ways to make room for one or two drivers to receive their meals in time for their trips. Even the reporter, when arriving to write the article, was invited by many locals to join the line to receive rice.

With an IV needle still in her arm, Bich Huong (born in 2002, living in Thu Duc City) said she had been hospitalized for over a week. Thanks to the warm meals she received this weekend, she saved a considerable amount of money. The girl also cherishes the kindness of strangers who sacrificed a Saturday evening to bring joy to everyone.

Nha Thi, the owner of the "zero-cost meal shop," says she loves seeing people smile. When those in need receive a meal and smile, all her worries and hardships disappear.

"I feel I'm much luckier than many people. I just hope everyone can have a warm weekend meal. We've put a lot of love into this meal."

"Doing charity work was my father's dream. Since I was little, he always wanted me to become a useful member of society. My father passed away early, so I want to fulfill that dream by helping people. I decided to choose the name Nha Thi, the name my father often called me, to name this restaurant," Thi said.

A unique rice restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City opens at 6 PM every Saturday opposite Le Van Viet General Hospital. The lights are then turned off when all the rice is sold out. - Photo: Nguyen Hoang Tuan

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tiem-com-0-dong-doc-la-giua-long-tp-hcm-noi-cam-on-vi-da-nhan-com-20240716082430192.htm