Unusual '0 dong' breakfast in Ho Chi Minh City: People waiting since 4 a.m.

Every Saturday morning, a small spot at 22 Bui Dinh Tuy Street in Ho Chi Minh City's Binh Thanh District buzzes with activity. This is the site of a unique "0 dong" breakfast program, a weekly initiative that has been providing free meals since 2022. The program, managed by the Charity Patronage Board of Ho Chi Minh City, has become a vital source of support for many in the community.

What makes this particular distribution stand out is the dedication of its recipients. Some individuals arrive as early as 4 a.m., hours before the 6 a.m. distribution begins, to ensure they receive a meal. In a mere 15 minutes, over 200 portions of hot, delicious food, ranging from hu tieu hấp and stir-fried noodles to banh mi and banh gio, are handed out. Volunteers also extend their reach, personally delivering meals to elderly residents and those with illnesses who are unable to travel to the distribution point.

“

Every Saturday I come here to queue for food. Sometimes it's steamed hu tieu, sometimes stir-fried noodles, banh mi, banh gio... Every dish is hot, delicious, and saves us money on breakfast.

Among those who regularly attend is 78-year-old Dang Nguyet, who lives with her equally elderly siblings. "Every Saturday I come here to queue for food. Sometimes it's steamed hu tieu, sometimes stir-fried noodles, banh mi, banh gio... Every dish is hot, delicious, and saves us money on breakfast," she shared, her voice filled with emotion.

“

I saw many people here, so I stopped to ask. I didn't expect such a delicious breakfast.

Another recipient, Mr. Sau, a 60-year-old lottery ticket vendor, stops his motorbike laden with personal belongings to join the line. He discovered the program by chance and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. "I saw many people here, so I stopped to ask. I didn't expect such a delicious breakfast," he said with a gentle smile.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Dung, 58, who oversees the Bui Dinh Tuy distribution point, explained the program's focus on early morning hours. "This is when many people are just starting their day of work. The streets are still quiet, and even with a large crowd, people can queue in an orderly fashion and receive their meals smoothly," she stated. Dung, a retired kindergarten teacher, dedicates most of her time to charitable activities, driven by a desire to help those in need.

“

This is when many people are just starting their day of work. The streets are still quiet, and even with a large crowd, people can queue in an orderly fashion and receive their meals smoothly.