On the morning of 29/8, Nguyen Thi Nhung, 44, placed a sign reading "Free 100 servings of sticky rice, 300 bowls of mushroom porridge" in front of her house at 34 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. She also prepared filtered water and opened her doors to offer free restroom access.
Nhung said the idea for this refreshment station came about when she saw many people, both elderly and children, having to eat bread while waiting for the parade. "It was touching to see people constantly eating dry food that's hard to swallow. I wanted to cook something warm for them," she said.
To prepare the 400 servings for 29/8, Nhung and her family woke up early to prepare the ingredients. Her fish noodle shop was temporarily closed for a few days, with all the space and staff dedicated to this effort. The cost of ingredients was about 5 million VND (approximately 210 USD). If there is high demand, she will cook more, up to 500 servings, on 1/9.
"During these important days, I'm not focused on business, but simply want to express a bit of Hanoi's hospitality through these small meals," Nhung said.
During the rehearsal on 27/8, her family also cooked a large pot of chicken glass noodles to offer everyone.
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Nguyen Thi Nhung, 44, prepares 400 servings of sticky rice and porridge for people watching the parade on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street from the night of 29/8 to 5:30 am on 30/8. Photo: Nga Thanh |
Nguyen Thi Nhung, 44, prepares 400 servings of sticky rice and porridge for people watching the parade on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street from the night of 29/8 to 5:30 am on 30/8. Photo: Nga Thanh
On Quan Thanh Street, Dang Thi Dung, 54, was also busy with 200 boiling eggs, 60 kg of freshly washed guava, and a large pot of dracontomelon tea. She explained that she chose boiled eggs to help people feel full, and guava to provide vitamins, as she saw many places offering dry food.
Her restaurant has been closed since 21/8 to focus on preparing free food. For each rehearsal, she and a group of five friends prepared 50 kg of fruit, 200 eggs, and 1,000 glasses of dracontomelon tea. When it was sunny or rainy, she invited people into her restaurant to rest or use the restroom.
"With the country so vibrant, we just want to contribute a small part so that people have a place to rest and eat an egg to gain strength," Dung shared.
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Dang Thi Dung, 54, boils 200 eggs and prepares 60 kg of guava to serve people watching the parade rehearsal on Quan Thanh Street, midday 29/8. Photo: Nga Thanh |
Dang Thi Dung, 54, boils 200 eggs and prepares 60 kg of guava to serve people watching the parade rehearsal on Quan Thanh Street, midday 29/8. Photo: Nga Thanh
Next to Dung's restaurant, Pham Van Hai, 66, supported parade viewers with 1,000 paper fans and national flags. "Fans are for people to cool off, and flags are to wave and greet the troops passing by," Hai said.
Hai has run a grocery store on this street for 35 years. Every day, he places electric fans at the entrance to serve security personnel on duty. "Any officers on duty who come in to buy water, I give it to them for free. Being able to help people like this is the joy of old age," Hai shared.
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Hai prepares 1,000 free flags and fans in front of his house for people watching the parade on Quan Thanh Street, midday 29/8. Photo: Quynh Nguyen |
Hai prepares 1,000 free flags and fans in front of his house for people watching the parade on Quan Thanh Street, midday 29/8. Photo: Quynh Nguyen
The kindness of Nhung, Dung, and Hai has become an inspiration spreading throughout the central streets of Hanoi. Many shops and households also placed water bottles and baskets of candy with "free" signs in front of their doors. Some houses posted notices saying "free restroom" to assist those in need.
Previously, many homeowners and shop owners were willing to clean up their spaces and invite strangers in to rest and sleep for free while waiting to watch the parade and march for National Day on 2/9.
Thu Trang, who came from Phu Tho to Hanoi to watch the rehearsal, was touched by the hospitality of the capital's residents. "Every street has free food and drink stations. The care from strangers makes me feel warm," Trang said.
Quynh Nga
