Le Ngoc Yen, 24, shared a video on 16/5 showing dozens of plastic trays of food circulating in a fish pond during her family's death anniversary ritual on 12/5.

Within two days, Yen's video accumulated nearly 15 million views and hundreds of thousands of interactions. Many viewers likened the setup to a homemade hotpot conveyor belt and praised the host family's ingenuity.

Video showing the family's water conveyor belt with 30 trays of food in An Giang, shared by Ngoc Yen on social media on 16/5. Source: Provided by interviewee

Pham Thi Kieu, Yen's mother, explained that the pond typically serves as a gathering spot for their family and neighbors. During the recent death anniversary ritual, her husband, Le Hien, proposed the idea of serving dishes on a water conveyor belt. He installed a motor to generate a circular current, allowing the food trays to move automatically. This method also helped keep the food cool longer in the hot weather.

"Guests can pick their favorite dishes as the trays pass by, or gently hold a tray to get enough food," Kieu said.

Pham Thi Kieu placing food into bowls and floating them in the family's fish pond during the party on 12/5. Photo: Provided by interviewee

To ensure the system operated smoothly, the family invested considerable effort in preparation. They fitted 30 plastic food trays with foam bases and conducted multiple tests to guarantee stable buoyancy while moving with the water current.

Before the feast, the family changed the fish pond's water. They lined the plastic trays with banana leaves and decorated them with lettuce before placing the food plates on them. The menu included: steamed chicken, roasted duck, steamed snails, grilled oysters, beef, and fruit.

The family prepared each dish in 4 to 5 plates, arranging them alternately to fill all 30 trays. This setup ensured that dishes appeared continuously, so guests did not have to wait long.

A section of the plastic trays placed in the fish pond, forming the "water conveyor belt" of Kieu's family in Co To commune, An Giang, on 12/5. Photo: Provided by interviewee

Kieu shared that the idea stemmed from a desire to foster a closer, more communal atmosphere for everyone to gather. This approach differed from the traditional setup of guests sitting separately at tables of 10 to 12 people.

"Although it was more costly than a traditional round table banquet, my family and the guests all had a joyful memory. That is priceless," Kieu stated.

Quynh Nguyen