Vientiane (VNA) – Overseas Vietnamese in Laos prepare free meals every Saturday at Phat Tich Pagoda in Vientiane, offering comfort and nourishment to hundreds of patients and disadvantaged people and keeping alive a spirit of compassion and solidarity through unsung acts of kindness.
While the dawn mist still clings to the capital, Vietnamese Buddhist followers wash rice, sort vegetables, and tend the fires. There are no calls for recognition, just the shared desire to support the needy with warm meals that might ease hunger and loneliness for those battling disease.
The initiative was launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic by Tran Thi Tuyet Anh, a 70-year-old Vietnamese-Lao woman. Since then, she and other Buddhist followers from Phat Tich Pagoda have delivered meals to hospitals and social welfare centres across Vientiane.
Under the guidance of Venerable Thich Minh Quang, Abbot at Phat Tich Pagoda, the charitable work has continued steadily for years. He told the Vietnam News Agency that this represents how the Vietnamese Buddhist community in Laos keeps alive the spirit of helping one another and preserving the nation’s cultural values.
Thoughtfulness is infused in every aspect of the effort. Menus are adjusted by season and tailored to patients’ dietary needs, with every dish prepared with care and respect.
The pagoda’s charitable reach extends far beyond Vientiane's borders to remote regions, supporting those in need. These gifts of compassion serve as bridges connecting hearts, contributing to the enhacement of the special Vietnam – Laos friendship./.
