Vietnamese former President and his wife have one-cent meal at charity restaurant

At noon 18/9, many people surprised to see the former President, Mr. Truong Tan Sang and his wife at a charity restaurant “Nụ cười” (Smile) on Cong Quynh street. They left the car quite far away, walking with the delegation of 14 people to eat VND 2,000 meal like other poor workers.
Mr. Truong Tan Sang at the charity restaurant.
The restaurant is quite crowded by all the people eagering for the meal full of soup, salty and fried dishes. Before eating, Mr. Sang came to each table to talk.
Stopping in front of an old man, shaking his hand, the former President asked: "What do you do here?
“I was cycling Cyclo, but now as too weak and have no money, I must live on love from others, like this restaurant, offering meal of only 2,000 VND. I often eat here, very delicious", the man replied.

Mr. Truong Tan Sang visits the customers in the charity restaurant

At the table of two students, Mr. Sang asked: "Where are you studying and where are you from? How often do you eat here?". When he realized the former President, the boy was quite brave: "We learn electronics mechanics at Cao Thang Technical College, we have been eating here for a few years now.”
"You should try to learn for a bright future" said Mr. Sang.

Mr. Sang also went down to the kitchen to ask volunteers working at the restaurant. They shares that every day, they pick up vegetables, rice paddies and wash the dish ... without receiving salary. There is only a full time female chef is paid three million Vietnam dongs per month.
When the former president and his wife came to the counter, the journalist, Mr. Nam Dong - head of the social charity restaurant system, laughed proudly, saying, "VND 2,000 each" and receive money from each guest.
Talking to Mr. Nam Dong, the former president said that he came to know the charity restaurant thanks to his wife. "Now I know that you have open 6 restaurants, that is very meaningful. I hope to encourage the wealthy to contribute money for more 600 or 6,000 restaurants”, said Mr. Sang. According to the journalist, Mr. Nam Dong, he was quite surprised when the president and his wife came to the restaurant without prior appointment. After the meal, Mr. Sang and the members of delegation donated money to the restaurant.
I have sold 14 meals for VND 28,000, but collected VND 117 million, including VND 50 million from Mr. Sang and his wife. This will help thousands of workers, students and the poor have enough meals" said the journalist, Mr. Nam Dong.