Among many choices for the September 2nd holiday, members of the 0-dong vegetarian restaurant Thien Tam (Rach Gia ward, An Giang province) spend all their time preparing for a new establishment at 124 Nguyen Hung Son.
Ms. Nguyen Thuy Hang - Head of Tan Tai Charity Association, Head of the Kitchen Operations Board said that the 0-dong vegetarian restaurant at the old facility recently had to temporarily stop operating to hand over the premises to the local authorities for management according to regulations. After that, the restaurant was supported with a new location to continue operating, serving free meals to people in difficult circumstances. Therefore, in recent days, members of the restaurant, philanthropists, and volunteers have joined forces to move furniture and items to the new facility to quickly resume operations.
Many volunteers shared that they do not travel but want to help with the shop to soon reopen and help the poor people. On days off, many people come but can't find the shop anymore, so everyone reminds and watches," Ms. Hang recounted.
Not only is it a support for many disadvantaged people to help them have delicious meals, but it is also a gathering place for philanthropists, with a kind heart to help people.
Ms. Lam Ngoc Ha - a volunteer at the restaurant confided: "Each person helps a little, contributes to supporting some difficult lives. Lottery ticket sellers, patients, workers, homeless people... also reduce the burden of living expenses from these free meals. On the reopening day, the girls and women worked hard with a huge bunch of vegetables, with hundreds of kilograms of vermicelli to make 500 meals and arrange 200 gifts for people in difficult circumstances. Everyone had smiles on their faces, exchanged warm affectionate eyes, everyone was happy because the facility had just reopened, so they no longer felt tired of working.
On the day of opening preparation, volunteers, although old, were all enthusiastic and wholehearted to maintain the red fire for the 0-dong kitchen. No salary, no material dishes, but no one minded but always wholeheartedly for the kitchen. I am very grateful for that," Ms. Hang recounted.
Ms. Hang also said that in Vu Lan month 2026, the 0-dong vegetarian restaurant will also implement 2 gift-giving programs to people in difficult circumstances, including 100 gifts to people in difficult circumstances in Rach Gia worth 300,000 VND/gift; 200 gifts to poor households, near-poor households, people in difficult circumstances, street earners, lonely elderly people, lottery ticket sellers, motorbike taxi drivers, people with disabilities... each gift worth 150,000 VND.
The 0-dong vegetarian restaurant has 3 operating points, providing about 1,300 meals/day; at this new facility, it will support about 800 - 1,000 meals/day (regularly for 3 days a week). Operating funds are contributed by philanthropists to maintain, and small traders contribute vegetables, tubers, fruits, rice...
Mr. Le Trung Dung - Vice Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Rach Gia ward said: "The 0 VND vegetarian restaurant operates under the management of the Ward Red Cross Society, has maintained charity work for a long time and is assessed as very effective and positive in social security work. The locality also highly appreciates these contributions, helping people in difficult circumstances not only have delicious meals but also very warm feelings and sharing. We also cherish the hearts of philanthropists and volunteers who have spent their holidays participating with the restaurant.
With the motto "whoever has to give, whoever is in need, give", good deeds continue to be maintained, receiving the support and love of many people, which is a great motivation for the 0 VND kitchen to be ignited and warm.
