For over a month, the construction site of Quoc and his wife's new house in Chau Phu commune, An Giang province, has been buzzing with excitement during break times. Instead of iced tea and pastries, the construction workers are treated to lavish, hot meals, "as fancy as a 5-star restaurant," courtesy of the homeowner.

On 8/8, Quoc went to the market early in the morning to buy three king crabs and pork ribs to prepare spicy lemongrass vermicelli with ribs for the 12 workers. It was his first time making this dish, so he spent over four hours in the kitchen to have it ready to bring to the construction site by 2:30 p.m.

In southern Vietnam, homeowners cooking for construction workers is a cultural practice expressing gratitude and wishing them good health for their labor. Depending on their financial situation, some homeowners provide all three meals, while others only offer snacks. But for Quoc, this act holds a deeper meaning, a dream he cherished for years while working as a construction worker himself.

"I've experienced those grueling days on construction sites, I understand the fatigue and how important a delicious, satisfying meal can be," Quoc said.

This video shows Le Quoc cooking green lobster noodles with stir-fried vegetables for the construction workers on 26/7. Source: Le Quoc

According to Quoc, the construction workers' daily wage of 300,000-450,000 VND isn't much, forcing many to be frugal with their spending and meals to save money to send home to their families. This memory motivated him to promise himself that when he built his own house, he would provide proper meals for the workers.

Since mid-June, when construction began, Quoc has been fulfilling that promise. Despite his busy business, he dedicates 3-5 hours each day to planning menus, shopping, and cooking. He's the head chef, while his wife and a friend assist with food preparation and cleaning.

Quoc's menu is diverse and constantly changing to avoid repetition. So far, he's cooked over 40 different dishes, ranging from familiar ones like Hanoi bun cha, beef stew, beef pho, and roasted duck with pepper leaves to more luxurious dishes like lobster noodles, Ca Mau crab soup, and king crab vermicelli.

Some of the dishes Le Quoc has cooked for the construction crew since June 2025. Photo provided by the subject

Some of the dishes Le Quoc has cooked for the construction crew since June 2025. Photo provided by the subject

To ensure freshness, he goes to the market at 9 a.m., then returns to prepare and cook. For dry dishes, he carefully packs them in paper boxes. For soups and broths, he brings a gas stove to the construction site to keep the food hot, serving it in clean porcelain bowls.

The cost of each meal varies considerably. "Some days it only costs 300,000-400,000 VND, but on days with special dishes like lobster, king crab, or Ca Mau crab, the cost can reach 3-4 million VND," Quoc said. On average, he spends about one million VND per day.

Quoc dismisses comments suggesting the cost of treating the workers is "as expensive as building the house." He explains that while some people enjoy these dishes regularly, many laborers may never have the chance to try them in their lifetime.

"Within my means, I want to cook many delicious dishes for the workers to experience. That's my joy," he said.

The construction crew enjoys a meal prepared by Le Quoc at the end of July 2025. Photo provided by the subject

The construction crew enjoys a meal prepared by Le Quoc at the end of July 2025. Photo provided by the subject

The homeowner's generosity has touched the construction workers. Van Tuan, a construction worker with over 40 years of experience in An Giang, said he has been treated to meals by many homeowners, but none as special as Quoc. Every day, he and his colleagues eagerly anticipate the next meal.

"Perhaps what I and everyone will miss the most when we finish building Quoc's house is no longer being able to enjoy his cooking," Tuan said.

Another worker, Cong Nhi, humorously remarked, "Many of Quoc's dishes are even better than my wife's cooking. Every day at work, I look forward to break time to see what delicious treats await."

Le Quoc prepares ribs and king crab for the construction crew on 8/8. Photo provided by the subject

Le Quoc prepares ribs and king crab for the construction crew on 8/8. Photo provided by the subject

Quoc's new house is expected to be completed in about two months. The father of two says he will continue to upgrade the menu, exploring regional specialties from other parts of Vietnam to treat the workers. On exceptionally busy days, he will order takeout, determined not to miss a single meal.

"My whole family supports this idea, so I will see it through. Cooking for everyone is also a way for me to find joy," Quoc said.

Quynh Nguyen