Original Vietnamese content is translated by LaoDongAI
Free bread in Ho Chi Minh City, giving each other affection without distance. Graphics: Ngoc Le
Free bread in Ho Chi Minh City, giving each other affection without distance. Graphics: Ngoc Le

Heartwarming free bread stalls in Ho Chi Minh City

NGỌC LÊ - THÁI BẢO (báo lao động) 17/09/2026 15:51 (GMT+7)

Banh mi are placed ready in many street corners of Ho Chi Minh City. People with conditions contribute more, those who need receive, sharing takes place gently amidst the daily rhythm of life.

Stopping the car in front of a small stall on Ly Thuong Kiet street, Minh Phung ward, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan took a loaf of bread, poured another bottle of water and quickly left.

I see free bread, so I stop by to get it. Whoever needs it, just accept it, when I have it, I support others" - Mr. Tuan said.

The bread stall is modestly located on the side of the road, not fussy, in front is a yellow sign with the words: "Bánh mì sẻ chia - Whoever needs, please accept, whoever has heart, please hang more".

Cakes are prepared, passersby can pick them up when needed. Inside the shop, staff continuously prepare cakes. Each cake is stuffed with filling, added sauce, wrapped and then brought to the counter. Hot cakes are placed neatly, waiting for people to pick them up.

According to the bar staff, the number of people coming here is quite diverse, from lottery ticket sellers, scrap collectors, technology drivers, people with disabilities to freelancers with unstable incomes.

Quầy bánh mì với dòng chữ “Ai cần xin mời nhận, ai có lòng xin mời treo thêm” trên đường Lý Thường Kiệt, TPHCM. Ảnh: Thái Bảo (chụp ngày 17.9)
Bread stall with the words "Whoever needs, please accept, whoever has the heart, please hang more" on Ly Thuong Kiet street, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thai Bao

Mr. Ho Van Khoa - residing in Dien Hong ward said that he knows about this bread stall and often visits to support when needed.

What is precious is that the way of giving and receiving here does not create a distance between the giver and the receiver. A loaf of bread is placed on the counter, whoever needs it takes it, like a normal meal. This is the kindness and sharing of city residents for each other" - Mr. Khoa shared.

Số lượng được
Recorded on September 17, the quantity is clearly stated by staff on the notice board so that people who need it can come to pick it up. Photo: Ngoc Le

Not only in Ly Thuong Kiet, free bread stalls also appear on many other streets of Ho Chi Minh City.

On Nguyen Trai street, Cau Ong Lanh ward, a bread stall is placed in an easy-to-see position, becoming a stopover for workers when they need a quick meal. Cakes are prepared, anyone who needs them will pick them up and then continue their work.

Here, the recipients not only have bread. The car also prepares soy sauce, so that everyone can add it themselves, making a portion to eat according to their taste.

Một chiếc tủ bánh mì đặt trên đường Nguyễn Trãi, trở thành điểm dừng chân của người lao động.
A bread cabinet placed on Nguyen Trai street, becoming a stopover for workers. Photo: Thai Bao

Maybe for this person, a loaf of bread is not worth much, but for someone in difficulty, it is a meal at the right time. The way people give is very gentle, without asking, without making the recipient hesitant. Whoever needs it, just take it, and then continue the work" - Ms. Dang Thao Ly, living in Cau Ong Lanh ward, shared.

Bánh mì cùng nước tương được chuẩn bị để người nhận tự làm thành phần ăn theo ý thích.
Bread and soy sauce are prepared for recipients to make ingredients to eat according to their preferences. Photo: Thai Bao
Những ổ bánh mì giản dị được trao đi, góp thêm sự ấm áp giữa nhịp sống đô thị.
Simple loaves of bread are given away, adding warmth to the rhythm of urban life. Photo: Ngoc Le

This model is also being implemented at the corner of Nguyen Dinh Chieu street, Ban Co ward. The banh mi cart here has been operating continuously for more than a year, preparing about 100 loaves each day and adding banh mi in two fixed sessions in the morning and afternoon.

Chiếc xe bánh mì trên đường Nguyễn Đình Chiểu duy trì việc phát bánh đều đặn vào buổi sáng và chiều.
The bread cart on Nguyen Dinh Chieu street maintains regular bread distribution in the morning and afternoon. Photo: Thai Bao

From "hanging rice", "hanging vermicelli" to "hanging bread", simple ways of giving are appearing in many street corners of Ho Chi Minh City. No need for the recipient to explain how difficult it is, and no need for the giver to talk much about what they do.

Those who are well-off buy an extra portion, and those who need it receive a portion. The bread rolls are just given away, as lightly as a normal meal in the street.

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