Hanoi eateries serve up thousands of free meals for parade crowds
A family-owned restaurant on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street has served nearly 1,000 free bowls of seafood noodles and vermicelli to people lining the sidewalks to watch the parade in recent days.
During rehearsals for the 80th National Day parade, locals and visitors waiting to watch the marching troops were treated to a kind gesture from a small restaurant on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. Photos: Khanh Huy/The Hanoi Times
People waiting outside the restaurant were offered free meals and drinks by the owner, who also kept the air-conditioned dining room open around the clock so children could rest while waiting for the parade.
Doan Van Son, 32, owner of a hotpot restaurant on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, said his family has run the business there for six years. “During the rehearsals, I saw many people waiting all day without a place to rest or use the restroom, so I decided to cook and invite them to eat. My family supported me wholeheartedly, and everyone joined in with great enthusiasm. We even opened our restrooms for free to the public,” he said.
From the night of August 29 until the morning of August 30, the family worked overnight preparing broth and ingredients. Although the plan was to start serving at 5 a.m., Son decided to begin an hour earlier so children would have more time to eat comfortably.
Meals were prioritized for children, with a special non-spicy broth prepared just for them. Each serving included shrimp, beef, fish tofu with cheese, and fresh vegetables, all cooked with the same care and quality as the restaurant’s regular menu.
“These days feel as if I’m welcoming relatives and friends into my own home. I hope everyone leaves with beautiful memories from this great National Day,” he added.
