Lam Cafe distributes gifts to the poor during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In recent days, Hanoi and many other provinces and cities have witnessed many noble acts of kindness from philanthropists who have shared their food and clothing with those in need. These small but meaningful and practical gifts, such as instant noodles, soy sauce, and eggs, have been distributed free of charge to the elderly, homeless people, and lottery ticket vendors on the streets and alleys. Many places have also distributed rice, face masks, and meals. This serves as encouragement and motivation, giving people strength to fight the pandemic together.

Lam Cafe, known as one of Hanoi's oldest and most famous cafes, is a favorite destination for tourists visiting the capital. It's not only famous for its delicious, rich coffee with its distinctive slightly burnt taste, but also for its space showcasing vibrant paintings of Hanoi's people and streets, self-portraits with handwritten notes, and handwritten literary manuscripts... by renowned artists who have captivated generations of Vietnamese people, such as the famous painters Bui Xuan Phai, Duong Bich Lien, Nguyen Sang, To Ngoc Van, Le Pho... and the musicians, writers, and poets Van Cao, To Hoai, Nguyen Hong, The Lu, Huu Loan, Phung Quan... Established in the 1950s, Lam Cafe has been a gathering place for countless writers and artists, recording the footsteps and thoughts of those who appreciate beauty over the past half-century.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, in front of Lam Cafe at 60 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hoan Kiem District, charitable donations were placed on a table, already wrapped, along with a sign:"Anyone who needs it can come and take one portion each, and remember to comply with the Covid-19 prevention regulations."The message was simple, concise, yet friendly. Every day, Lam's coffee shop prepares 100 gift packages, each containing two packets of instant noodles, one pork floss cake, and one bottle of water. The distribution is expected to last until April 15, 2020.

"My family has been giving out charity gifts for the past few days, hundreds of portions each day. Before, we just left them there for anyone who needed them, but there were few poor people and mostly well-off people coming to take them. So, from today onwards, I'll personally stand here and hand out the gifts, carefully checking people's faces and asking questions to avoid giving them to the wrong people," shared Ms. Lam, the owner of the coffee shop.

It's clear that the kind gestures and gifts from the owner of the Lam coffee shop at this time are very meaningful and heartwarming, reflecting the character of a traditional Hanoi resident: gentle, elegant, and warm-hearted.

Ha Le