Free iced tea - a heartwarming "specialty" in the city.

(NLĐO) - Has anyone ever drunk a glass of iced tea and felt a stinging sensation in their nose? It's not because the tea is too strong, but because it's poured from the heart, from the kindness of our fellow countrymen.

In large cities, especially Ho Chi Minh City, there's a "specialty" that isn't on the menu, doesn't require ordering, but is present everywhere: free iced tea.

Free iced tea is available on many streets in Ho Chi Minh City.

I call it "a specialty of kindness." No sign, no marketing, no advertising needed. It's simply a water dispenser on a small plastic chair, accompanied by a few disposable cups, sometimes a worn-out, reusable cup tied to the chair to prevent it from falling. Quietly standing in front of a barbershop, a budget-friendly eatery, or leaning against a tree at the end of the alley…

That refreshing drink, even in the scorching 40-degree midday sun and dusty streets, is always ready to entice the weary footsteps of laborers, travelers, and anyone needing a cool sip amidst the sweltering city heat.

Without any instruction or regulations, free iced tea has quietly existed as a part of Vietnamese culture, not only quenching thirst but also comforting the heart, showing that giving without reason is also a cultural practice.

Unlike the sophisticated flavors of Japanese tea or the glittering rituals of Western tea ceremonies, Vietnamese iced tea embodies only the sentiment, the meaning, and the simple yet warm heart of the people.

From the tea cup at the street corner to the lotus-infused teapot in an old house, from the tea table for guests to the teacup on the ancestral altar, Vietnamese tea has always been the embodiment of welcome, connection, and affection. The brewing and drinking methods may change, but that spirit remains, gentle yet enduring, like the taste of tea itself: bitter on the tongue, sweet in the aftertaste, and warm in the heart of the Vietnamese people.

(Entry for the "Impressions on Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" contest, part of the 3rd "Celebrating Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" program, 2025, organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper).

Rules of the "Impressions on Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" contest. Graphic: CHI PHAN

Source: https://nld.com.vn/tra-da-mien-phi-dac-san-nghia-tinh-giua-pho-196250420103153576.htm