Unique zero-dong rice shop in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, say thank you for receiving the rice

Nha Thi gives rice to everyone - Photo: NGUYEN HOANG TUAN

This is the third week the young girl has been giving away free meals in front of Le Van Viet General Hospital (HCMC). So every Saturday evening from 6pm, people line up to receive meals.

Some were patients at the hospital across the street, some were lottery ticket sellers, some were motorbike taxi drivers… Students also stopped by to pick up free meals to save money on weekend meals. According to the reporter’s records, after only 45 minutes, 200 free meals were distributed.

Line of people receiving free broken rice - Photo: NGUYEN HOANG TUAN

This weekend's meal includes broken rice with pork chops, panna cotta, beauty dessert, and milk. The portion is so big that a child can barely carry it. If there are more than one person in your family, you can order 1-2 more portions.

Nha Thi shared that the broken rice portion is fixed, while the cakes and milk are all contributed by benefactors. Her group bought a restaurant that night and then distributed it to everyone. The restaurant owner and her family also gathered to help with serving rice, dividing the meat, etc. so that the restaurant could operate as quickly as possible. Although it was hard, everyone was happy.

Each person received a full portion of rice with cakes and milk donated by a benefactor - Photo: NGUYEN HOANG TUAN

"The first week we only bought 150 portions of rice. Then I saw people lining up behind us without any portions. I felt sad because people waited for a long time and the portions were limited. So from weeks 2-3, I increased it to 200 portions. I wanted to increase it even more, but my budget was limited," Nha Thi said with a smile.

The girl shared that people came by word of mouth. Before that, she also informed the security guard at the hospital, and also asked benefactors, whoever was free to come and help.

Holding two portions of rice in her hands, Mrs. Bui Thi Phuong (living in Thu Duc City) said that she makes a living by selling lottery tickets. Hearing people introduce the zero-dong broken rice, she stopped by to try it but unexpectedly received milk, cakes, etc. Not to mention, everyone in the restaurant enthusiastically gave her an extra portion for her daughter at home.

"They didn't mind at all. If someone asked me to give them 2 or 3 portions, they would give them to me. I bought rice without paying a penny, and they even thanked me and wished me a good meal... I was so happy," she said.

Mrs. Phuong is happy with her and her son's dinner - Photo: NGUYEN HOANG TUAN

Occasionally, the benefactors in the restaurant would shout: "Don't worry, we won't run out of food", "Hey guys, I'll give this guy priority. He's a motorbike taxi driver and needs to go urgently"... Hearing that, everyone happily moved out of line to make room for 1-2 drivers to come in and get their food so they could catch their trip on time. Even reporters who came to write articles were invited by many people to stand in line to receive their food.

Still holding an IV, Bich Huong (born in 2002, living in Thu Duc City) said she has been hospitalized for more than a week. Thanks to this warm meal this weekend, she has saved a considerable amount of money. She also appreciates the feelings of strangers who gave up a Saturday night to bring joy to everyone.

"Zero-dong rice shop owner" Nha Thi said she likes to see people smile. When she receives rice and sees people in need smile, all her worries and hardships are erased.

"I feel I'm luckier than many people. I just hope everyone has a warm weekend meal. We 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 person for society. My father passed away early, so I wanted 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.

The unique rice shop of Ho Chi Minh City opens at 6pm every Saturday opposite Le Van Viet General Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City). The shop then turns off the lights when it has sold out of rice - 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