Heartwarming buffet: Restaurant in central Vietnam opens door to less fortunate

The event, a free buffet dinner hosted by Boi Com Restaurant, was unlike any other as it was not a gathering for the rich people or visitors, but rather a heartfelt invitation to low-income earners and impoverished families who seldom enjoy such luxuries.

The restaurant, situated on Dao Duy Tu Street near the city’s ancient town, opened its doors that evening to nearly 1,000 special guests, mostly manual laborers, lottery ticket vendors, cyclo drivers, and elderly locals.

The idea behind the buffet was simple yet powerful. With the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's reunification approaching, the owner of the restaurant decided to give back to the society by organizing the free buffet.

"I've never eaten such a big buffet with so many delicious options, especially in a restaurant as beautiful as this," said Nguyen Thi Le, a worker from Duy Xuyen District who works in Hoi An City.

"To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s reunification (April 30), the restaurant wishes to share this moment with the disadvantaged people," said Luong Quy Nhan, the restaurant's manager.

The buffet was publicized on Facebook and outside the restaurant a few days before the event.

Nearly 1,000 tickets were distributed to those facing financial hardships.

The free-of-charge feast was served by the restaurant's chefs and staff at 5:00 pm.

By the time the event started, the restaurant's space was bustling with anticipation.

Guests were seated in the elegant dining areas, where tables were set with white tablecloths and the air conditioning kept the atmosphere cool and comfortable.

"We initially thought the buffet would last about an hour, but so many people showed up, including vendors who couldn’t arrive until later," Nhan said.

"The restaurant had to extend the dinner until nearly 10:00 pm.

“We also divided the crowd into three shifts, each lasting an hour and a half, to accommodate everyone.”

The joy on these guests’ faces made it all worth it, he added.

For all of the guests, it was their first time at a buffet, and they needed some guidance on how to navigate the self-service setup.

To ensure everyone felt comfortable, the staff provided assistance and explained the buffet process, he shared.

In addition to the buffet, each guest was given a small Vietnamese flag as a keepsake, a symbol of pride and celebration for the upcoming national holiday.

Boi Com Restaurant has long been known not just for its food, but also for its connection to the local community.

It has earned the affection of both locals and tourists through its patriotic efforts, such as displaying the national flag across the restaurant, distributing T-shirts with the national flag design, and offering banh chung (square glutinous rice cakes) to the poor and foreign guests during the Lunar New Year holiday.