Tin du lịch The woman behind the "hanging pho" bowls in the heart of Hanoi: Every day the shop hangs 30 bowls, customers start hanging from the 31st bowl.

In recent days, people have been whispering to each other about a special pho shop located on Bao Khanh street. This pho shop is unique in that diners can leave one or more bowls of pho for those who truly need it and are in difficult circumstances.​

Heartwarming "hanging pho" bowls in the heart of the Capital
Recently, in the center of Hanoi, there is a special pho shop loved and supported by many. It is the "hanging" pho shop on Bao Khanh street (Hoan Kiem, Hanoi) run by Ms. Cat Le’s family.
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Ms. Cat Le, the initiator of the "hanging pho" model
Accordingly, "hanging pho" is a form of charity where customers pay extra for one or more bowls and leave them at the shop for those who truly need them or are in difficult situations.
It is known that the "hanging pho" model of the shop has been implemented for over a month now. To ensure a stable number of bowls of pho, the shop will hang 30 bowls daily. The money will be extracted from the percentage of the shop's revenue. Customers wishing to contribute can start “hanging” from bowl number 31.
Around 9:00 AM, a woman wearing a sanitation worker's uniform rode her bike to the pho shop. Seeing this, Ms. Le quickly went out with a friendly smile and said: "Why are you just arriving now, you should eat in the morning to have strength for work," and after speaking, she told the kitchen, "Make a 'hanging' pho for Aunt Ngoat" which made the woman a bit shy.
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The "hanging" pho bowl of Ms. Le that Aunt Ngoat remembers forever
The woman is Nguyen Thi Ngoat (68 years old). She shared that she currently works as a sanitation worker on Nha Chung street. One time while biking past the pho shop, she was invited by Ms. Le to eat "hanging pho."
Speaking about her circumstances, Aunt Ngoat said: "My husband is ill, our family situation is difficult, so I still try to work. Many people see that and ask why I still work this hard job at almost 70 years old, when will I rest. But with such circumstances, if I don't work, where will I get money to support my life."
Previously, my breakfast often consisted of leftover rice with plain water, and if there was a change, I would eat sticky rice. I never thought about buying pho to eat. More than a week ago, when I came home from work, I was invited by the shop owner to eat "hanging pho" and said it was completely free. At first, I was surprised and very shy, so I refused.
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A bowl of pho set aside for customers eating "hanging pho"
The shop owner told me there was no need to be shy, this is to help those who are in difficult labor conditions, it’s not the shop’s costs, so I agreed to sit down.
"It was the first time I ate such a large bowl of pho with plenty of meat that I will remember forever. I ate one bowl and was full until the evening."
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Ms. Le enthusiastically helps Aunt Ngoat put the "hanging" pho into her bike basket
Aunt Ngoat added that although she has been explained multiple times by the shop owner, she still feels shy every time she comes to eat "hanging pho."
"Sometimes I come in to eat pho, but I feel shy if I come everyday. Today the shop owner said there are many bowls left, so I asked for a few to bring home for the little children and my husband," Aunt Ngoat shared.
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The "hanging pho" sign is neatly hung right in front of the shop
One of the regular customers of "hanging pho" recently, Mr. Tran Anh Dung (born 1991) shared: "About 2 weeks ago, I was rummaging through trash nearby when a guard came and held my hand, saying he would take me to eat hanging pho. At that time, I didn’t know what 'hanging pho' was, and I was scared and worried because I had no money."
However, when arriving at Ms. Le’s "hanging pho" shop, Mr. Dung was explained the concept, and he didn’t have to pay, which made him feel relieved and sit down to eat.
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Mr. Dung (on the left) and a friend come to eat "hanging pho"
"I have been eating 'hanging pho' for about 2 weeks now. The bowl of pho is very large, and it’s delicious. The shop owner is very enthusiastic. Today she even gave us 100,000 VND for sickness or medicine," Mr. Dung said happily.
Mr. Dung shared that he often collects trash and plastic bottles around Hoan Kiem Lake for a living, but this job only allows him to earn 20-30,000 VND a day. With such income, he doesn’t dare to think of sitting in a shop to eat pho.
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Ms. Pham Thi Ha faces extremely difficult circumstances as she has no place to stay and must care for two small grandchildren
The first time eating "hanging pho", Ms. Pham Thi Ha (67 years old) said: "I had come here to get free rice before. Now sitting in the flower bed, people told me there are free pho bowls, that's why I brought my grandchild to ask for a bowl to take home."
Sharing about her situation, Ms. Ha choked up: "I currently care for two small grandchildren. Their parents divorced and left the kids with me. I have no relatives left and I go around collecting scrap for money daily.
Typically, I send the kids to preschool, then collecting scrap. Sometimes I push the kids around the lake, eating whatever people give us. If no one gives anything, I buy a temporary meal for us to share."
It’s very hard, sir, I’m old but still have to care for two small grandchildren. The money I earn is only enough for them to go to kindergarten; I cannot afford rent."
With no place to stay, Ms. Ha often brings the children to a shed on Ba Trieu street (Hoan Kiem, Hanoi) to shelter temporarily.
"This afternoon, we have pho to eat already. I also received a bag of bread from someone. The bread will be for dinner," Ms. Ha shared.

Customers will personally "hang" their pho bowls
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Impressed with the "hanging pho" model, Mr. Nguyen Quang Linh – a regular customer at Ms. Cat Le's shop, said: "I often eat here. When I saw the sign saying 'hanging pho,' I was a bit curious, so I asked and learned its true meaning. Since then, every time I finish eating pho, I 'hang' a few bowls. Today I 'hung' 2 bowls."
Mr. Le Hieu (28 years old, Hanoi) said: "My friends and I sometimes come here for breakfast. Today I just realized this model. I find the 'hanging pho' model is very meaningful, so my friend and I decided to 'hang' one bowl each."
The "hanging pho" was born from the cooperation of many people
Talking with us, Ms. Cat Le shared that during the outbreak of Covid-19, she happened to watch TV and learned about the "hanging coffee" model in Italy.
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Despite being very busy, Ms. Le still takes time to talk and find out how their lives are so she can help
"After learning about the 'hanging coffee' model, I came up with the idea to implement a model like this. However, the morning habits in Vietnam are different from those in Italy. Instead of drinking coffee in the morning, Vietnamese people choose to have breakfast to start a working day.
That’s why I thought about 'hanging pho.' But at that time, life was not stable yet, so I couldn’t implement it," Ms. Le confided.
Also during the Covid-19 outbreak, Ms. Le and a few friends and family members cooked rice, porridge, and pho to give away for free at hospitals.
When she saw life stabilize, she discussed her idea of "hanging pho" with her family and relatives.
"When I told my idea to my husband, son, and relatives, everyone agreed and supported it. The 'hanging pho' model was born from the cooperation of many people, not just me," Ms. Le smiled as she spoke.
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Ms. Le said: "In the early days of hanging the sign 'hanging pho', many people asked me 'what is hanging pho?'. Even foreigners were surprised and curious. Therefore, I asked my son to design an additional explanation in Vietnamese and English so that everyone could understand its meaning."
When asked about who would be able to eat "hanging pho," Ms. Le said: "Anyone coming to eat 'hanging pho' is welcome, but we prioritize the elderly, children, disabled people, and students. As for young and healthy individuals, we will also provide support. Because sometimes they encounter difficulties and want to work but can’t find jobs yet, a hanging bowl of pho will help them alleviate some costs."

A foreign female tourist, excited about this special model, used her phone to take a picture
For over 10 years now, many people have been familiar with the image of Ms. Le giving away free rice, pho, and porridge to those in need. However, few people know that she once went through a difficult time with many lacks. Also, 15 years ago during a hospital treatment, she witnessed many tragic situations. This helped her understand the feelings of those in need.
"They are struggling, lacking everything. From medical fees to living expenses at the hospital. The first time I received a free meal in the hospital, I felt what that meal meant for patients and their families. At that time, I held the meal in my hand but didn’t eat it. I just gave it to someone who needed it more than I did.
After being discharged, I promised myself I would cook rice and porridge for charity to give to patients and those in need," Ms. Le confided.
When she launched the "hanging pho" model, Ms. Le understood even better the lives of those facing difficulties. She mentioned one circumstance that touched her the most since the opening of the "hanging pho". She recalled, about 2 weeks ago, when she was busy with work, a guard led a thin, haggard man into the shop.
"The guard said, 'Sister, I saw this guy rummaging through trash for food. Can you give him a bowl of 'hanging pho'?'. At that time, I noticed the person looked weak and worried. I thought he was afraid of having to pay, so I explained.
Then, I told him 'You can come here to eat pho. You don’t need to find and eat food from the trash. Eating there is unsanitary and bad for health.' He nodded shyly. After that day, he came every day, eating two meals."
The difference between a "hanging pho" bowl and a regular pho bowl
Through observation, we noticed that the "hanging pho" bowls are different from the regular pho bowls in the shop.
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A "hanging pho" bowl (on the left) and a regular pho bowl (on the right)
Explaining this, Ms. Cat Le smiled and said: "It is true that the 'hanging pho' bowl is different from the regular pho bowl. The pho bowls we sell to customers remain the same as usual, while the bowl for 'hanging pho' is specially ordered. It is larger, and we put more pho and meat in it.
Because most of the workers coming to eat 'hanging pho' are those in difficult circumstances. Many come only close to noon because they want to combine breakfast and lunch into one meal. I also advise them to eat when hungry but they are shy, coming in for just one meal.
Because of this, we decided to order larger bowls for 'hanging pho' customers, so they can eat their fill.
I think this is also what those who contribute the 'hanging pho' want when they offer bowls at the shop for those who truly need them."
Ms. Le hopes that her actions will spread to many other shops to help more people in difficult circumstances.

Source: https://kenh14.vn/nguoi-phu-nu-dang...dau-treo-tu-bat-thu-31-215240815044437304.chn