The "Smiling Noodle Shop" at 17 Thai Thi Boi Street (Chinh Gian Ward, Thanh Khe District, Da Nang City) has no sign; the name was given to the shop by customers because each bowl of noodles costs only 1,000 dong, or can be "paid" with a smile.
Ms. Hue prepares different types of noodles to suit everyone's taste. PHOTO: NGUYEN TU
The shop provides everything from instant noodles, eggs, sausages, fresh vegetables, lemons, chili peppers, etc.
This is the premises rented by Ms. Tran Thi Bich Hue (36 years old) to open a spa. On the storefront, she and a few friends opened a "smiling noodle shop" to serve poor laborers, students, and those in difficult circumstances. From 4 a.m., her staff goes to the market to prepare ingredients in time to welcome the workers who come to eat. She chooses instant noodles, sausages, and eggs to ensure the noodles are always hot and comply with food safety standards.
Ms. Hue's 1,000 VND noodle shop has become a familiar destination for lottery ticket vendors, motorbike taxi drivers, scrap collectors, construction workers, and students... Customers come and go continuously from early morning until late at night. Seeing her working non-stop, many customers want to serve themselves; many local residents and neighbors also lend a hand.
Ms. Hue shared that besides regularly participating in charitable activities such as donating rice and free meals to patients in hospitals, she noticed that there are many people in difficult circumstances in society due to rising prices and high living costs in the city center, so she thought of ways to help those in need save money, even if it's just for one meal.
At "The Smiling Noodle Shop," she doesn't run a business or accept direct payment from customers. The price of 1,000 VND per bowl of noodles is purely symbolic; customers can still pay by placing 1,000 VND in a designated paper box after their meal. "I put up the 1,000 VND price tag with the hope that diners will feel comfortable and appreciate the 'pay what you eat' principle, so that no one owes anyone anything. In reality, I'm content just hoping they leave feeling happy and smiling. My intention is to maintain this noodle shop until I'm no longer able to work, doing my best. The 1,000 VND per bowl of noodles I collect will be used at the end of the year to continue my charitable program for children in mountainous areas," Ms. Hue shared.
A bowl of noodles costs 1,000 VND and includes one packet of instant noodles, sausage, egg, fresh vegetables, and boiling water... according to the customer's preference. The bowls, chopsticks, stainless steel spoons, and stainless steel shelves are neatly arranged and regularly cleaned. Despite the increasing number of customers and rising costs, Ms. Hue does not solicit or accept donations from benefactors, whether in cash or food.
Also in the heart of Da Nang City, on Tran Tong Street (Thac Gian Ward, Thanh Khe District), there is a charitable bread cart with a "hanging bread" model. This model was initiated by Ms. Vo Thi Thanh Thao (30 years old) in October 2024 to help poor laborers. Besides selling bread, each day she sets aside several dozen loaves with fillings inside to give away to those in need. Some friends, seeing the model, have also donated bread to support the cause.
Mr. Le Hong Nam, Chairman of the People's Committee of Chinh Gian Ward (Thanh Khe District), said that the locality highly appreciates the community-oriented efforts of organizations and individuals, especially businesses, towards the disadvantaged. The locality regularly directs specialized departments and associations to pay attention to and visit business owners, commend and guide them to further develop effective models, improve operations, and provide timely support to help these humane models spread further.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tiem-mi-nu-cuoi-18525041818414083.htm
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