Vietnam's "0-Dong" Spirit: Spreading Compassion from Ho Chi Minh City

Here, the number “0” does not mean nothing. On the contrary, it holds countless heartwarming stories of boundless human kindness. Based on my modest memory, jugs of drinking water with plastic cups and the sign “Free Iced Tea” started popping up on sidewalks decades ago. This was easy to understand. Iced tea is the most common and accessible working-class beverage. With a remarkably simple recipe, it easily satisfies everyday passersby. Furthermore, living standards and personal incomes were quite low back then. At first, only a few jugs stood along busy routes. Gradually, they spread into side streets and quiet alleys. Anyone passing by who needed a drink was welcome to stop in. I often call these “0”-dong water jugs “Thạch Sanh water jugs”—named after the mythical pot that magically refills itself. Their owners are never just one person. Whenever a jug runs low, no one needs a reminder. Out of pure reflex, someone always tops up the water and adds fresh ice. This ensures the container never runs out and always offers relief. The generosity of this free drink goes even further. Impoverished laborers can enjoy a cup on the spot and still take some to go. Elderly lottery ticket vendors and women collecting scrap metal can freely pour water into their bottles for their daily grind. Carrying that bottle means carrying the generous spirit of the people in the city named after Uncle Ho. Soon, the city government will cover the entire area with free public water fountains. Citizens will enjoy clean drinking water straight from the tap. Passersby and travelers can quench their thirst anytime without buying anything. The city already provides free public bus rides, and adding free drinking water makes it unbeatable. People can travel and stay hydrated completely free of charge. Inspired by these charming iced-tea jugs in Ho Chi Minh City, similar setups now appear like twin brothers across many other provinces and cities. Whenever I visit the countryside, I encounter free iced tea. Good news travels fast. Positive deeds spread by word of mouth create a wonderful ripple effect. Giving what little you can, the humanistic message from the sidewalk tea jug brings a magical appeal to the country’s most populous city. Like a natural progression, the compassion overflowing from those iced-tea jugs has evolved into various other forms. This city is truly strange! Without prior arrangement, many philanthropists and kind souls suddenly cross paths. They bond over a shared impulse to team up and do good deeds. For over 14 years, a charity eatery named “Nụ Cười” (Smile), founded by journalist Nam Đồng and his close friends, has helped hundreds of poor people daily. It fills their stomachs and warms their hearts. This eatery is not entirely free, even though benefactors could easily cover all costs. However, the journalist-owner is deeply intuitive. He does not want disadvantaged people to feel self-conscious or hesitant when entering. Therefore, he set a purely symbolic price of 500 VND per plate. Over time, as market prices and incomes rose, the eatery reluctantly raised its prices along a planned roadmap: 1,000 VND, 1,500 VND, and then 2,000 VND per plate. Regardless of the cost, it remains roughly one-fifteenth the price of a regular meal. Charity dining models quickly spread across the city. Numerous homes and pagodas became daily destinations where struggling laborers receive free meals. While the forms of giving vary, the heartfelt sentiment and spirit of sharing remain identical. Volunteer movements constantly yield fresh, unique approaches. In recent years, very compassionate trends have emerged. From “suspended phở,” “suspended” drinks, and “0”-dong bread, volunteer groups now deliver meal portions directly to impoverished hospitalized patients. City residents are very familiar with volunteers waiting by the roadside to hand out breakfast. Happiness is found in giving. People share stories with one another about affection in this bustling city. Everyone struggles daily to make a living. Yet, the moment media outlets or authorities launch fundraising campaigns for disaster-stricken regions, they immediately put work aside. They flock together to turn small drops into an ocean. Give and you shall receive. During the months when Ho Chi Minh City fought hard against COVID-19, the entire country turned its heart toward our beloved city. An unprecedented massive peacetime mobilization took place. Tens of thousands of medical staff, soldiers, and volunteers from all corners of the country packed their bags to reinforce the great frontline of Ho Chi Minh City. During the pandemic, the fine qualities of this compassionate city shone brightly once again. The initiative of installing “0”-dong Rice ATM machines by businessman Hoàng Tuấn Anh won global admiration. It helped citizens cook meals even when social distancing and interrupted incomes left them vulnerable. Following the rice ATMs, mask ATMs and “0”-dong instant noodles followed one after another. The current of compassion during difficult times never stopped flowing. What is truly admirable is that many volunteers were not well-off themselves. Yet they shared a simple motto: give whatever you have. It became a living philosophy, as seen in the slogan at “0”-dong clothing racks: “If you have something, leave it; if you need something, take it.” Therefore, it is no surprise that many people have chosen this city as their second hometown—a truly welcoming land where good birds flock to roost. Photo: Tuoi Tre Newspaper Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. Type your email… Subscribe