On 17/12, an image purportedly showing a 40,000 VND lunch meal from Trung Vuong High School circulated widely on social media. A post featuring the image garnered over 6,000 interactions, with most comments criticizing the small portion of savory food relative to its price.

Image of a Trung Vuong High School lunch meal circulating on social media. Screenshot.

Responding to VnExpress that afternoon, Ms. Luong Bich Nga, Vice Principal of Trung Vuong High School in Ho Chi Minh City, confirmed the image was indeed a school lunch but described it as "not fully representative of reality."

She explained that each meal includes rice, soup, a savory dish, stir-fried green beans, and an apple for dessert. For the savory component, students choose one from four options: fried pork balls with fish sauce, chicken ragout, braised basa fish with tomato, or minced meat fried egg. Rice and soup are available for unlimited refills.

The meal costs 38,000 VND, a price that has remained stable since last year. This cost covers food ingredients, spices, preparation labor, and tax.

"The image circulating online shows a meal with fried pork balls with fish sauce, not fried fish balls or quail eggs", Ms. Nga stated.

A sample lunch meal photographed on 17/12 at the high school. School provided.

According to Ms. Nga, the semi-boarding meals are cooked directly at the school. The kitchen serves dishes after 9:30h, ensuring the food is hot. Ingredients have clear origins and are supplied by reputable vendors. Sample meals are stored daily for inspection.

"Occasionally, parent representatives visit the kitchen to check meals and observe the cooking process. Today, I personally observed several dining tables and found the meals complete, with no student complaints", Ms. Nga added.

The Vice Principal also stated that a survey of 40 parents from a 10th-grade class was conducted that afternoon. The results indicated that 28 parents (70%) found the food portion insufficient, and 23 parents reported issues such as cold rice, cold soup, overly salty or sweet dishes, and soft bread.

Regarding meal quality, 40% of parents described it as "edible but not delicious", 47.5% found it "normal", and the remainder rated it as "just right, quite delicious".

Survey of parent opinions from a 10th-grade class at Trung Vuong High School regarding the semi-boarding meal. School provided.

These opinions contrast with some students' feelings. Ha My, an 11th-grade student, chose minced meat fried egg today. She noted that while the meal was filling, it was not tasty, according to her preference.

"Before, I always felt school lunch only had issues with taste, not being so little that students would go hungry", My said.

Trung Vuong High School has 2,200 students. About 1,900 students are registered for semi-boarding meals, while the rest go home or bring food to school.

Le Nguyen