Serving COVID-19 US doctors free meals, Vietnamese American promotes Vietnamese cuisine

Phan Tieu Van, a Vietnamese American, has called for thousands of meals for medics at hospitals across North California during the lock-down period. Her good deeds help bring Vietnamese cuisine closer to the world. 
June 03, 2020 | 15:44
serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine Vietnamese in Russia gives free "Pho" to Covid-19 doctors
serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine This Vietnamese young man has offered free meals to poor people for almost a decade
serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine American doctors thank Vietnamese restaurants for donating meals
serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine

Van (L, in pink dress) giving food and beverage to the medical staff at El Camino Hospital (Photo courtesy of Phan Tieu Van)

“I do this for two purposes. First, to serve medical staff delicious lunches. Second, to promote Vietnamese cuisine in the US”, the Vietnamese American told Thanh Nien.

Earlier when California was first put under lockdown, Van had called for donation twice and donated tens of thousands of medical protective equipment, including medical masks, gloves, disinfectant solutions, etc., for numbers of local hospitals and health facilities.

She came up with the “meal project” after finding out by chance many medical staff and doctors were in need of support for meals as most of the canteens within the hospital campus were closed.

serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine

(Photo courtesy of Phan Tieu Van)

serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine
(Photo courtesy of Phan Tieu Van)
serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine

(Photo courtesy of Phan Tieu Van)

Van worked on her own during those first days but later got support from volunteers across the States. Her enthusiasm has brought positive energy to the Vietnamese community in the region.

A US-based restaurant named “Pho Hanoi” was the first dining establishment to join Van’s project, with a donation of 4,000 meal sets in total. Four other Vietnamese restaurants (Dong Que, Green Lotus, VN Grills and Nam Giao) and three milk tea shops (Kay’s Tea house, Teahee, and Vampire Penguin) also signed their names on the donor list.

Van’s charitable project had served a total of 5,300 free meal sets and over 2,000 cups of milk tea to the frontline doctors and medical staff in regional hospitals.

serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine

(Photo courtesy of Phan Tieu Van)

serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine

(Photo courtesy of Phan Tieu Van)

serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine

(Photo courtesy of Phan Tieu Van)

The list of hospitals and medical facilities in North California receiving free meals from Van’s project grows longer day after day. Almost every regional hospitals enjoy the treat.

The project closed on May 15 as the lockdown restrictions in North California was gradually relaxed.

serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine

(Photo courtesy of Phan Tieu Van)

serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine

(Photo courtesy of Phan Tieu Van)

serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine

(Photo courtesy of Phan Tieu Van)


“We give those first responders in the COVID-19 fight free foods and beverages, and in return, this is an opportunity to bring Vietnamese cuisine closer to the foreign friends and show how kind Vietnamese people are during those tough days”, Van told Thanh Nien.

“This is a meaningful project to me, and I personally feel very happy doing this”, she added.

The Washinton Hospital Healthcare Foundation had sent a thanking letter to show their gratitude towards Van’s donation. Groups of doctors and medical staff took photos as a token of gratitude to Van and other volunteers for their good deeds.

serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine

(Photo courtesy of Phan Tieu Van)

serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine
The Washinton Hospital Healthcare Foundation's thanking letter to Van's volunteer project (Photo courtesy of Phan Tieu Van)
serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine

(Photo courtesy of Phan Tieu Van)

serving covid 19 us doctors free meals vietnamese american promotes vietnamese cuisine

(Photo courtesy of Phan Tieu Van)

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