'Pho' restaurant that sells 500 bowls a day, prices unchanged for 16 years
During the past 16 years, a "Pho" restaurant in Nam Dinh city has kept the price of VND 5,000 (USD 0,2)/bowl. Every day, the shop serves more than 500 customers.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Chung's pho shop is located on a small lane in 19/5 road, Te Xuong commune, Nam Dinh city. Launched in 2005, over the past 16 years, Ms. Chung still sells her pho at VND 5.000 (USD 0,2) per bowl, which, to many people, is an "unimaginable" price. Lying on an area of only 20 square meters, owning nothing but some humble and old tables, the shop has been a familiar spot for many locals.
Every day, Ms. Chung sells about 350 bowls of pho priced at VND 5,000 and about 200 bowls with prices ranging from VND 10,000 to 20,000 (USD 0,4 - 0,8). The more expensive bowl simply has more meat or maybe more eggs.
Customers often call Chung's pho shop "the 5.000 dongs pho shop" or "pho sold by a chubby lady". After 16 years running the shop, this lady always welcomes customers with a smile and a positive attitude. (Photo: Vietnamnet)
The shop opens from 5:30 pm to 1-2 am on the next day, mainly serves students and low-income workers. Though only sold at 5.000 dongs, a bowl of pho in Chung's shop still has shredded chicken, meatball, meat rolls. (Photo: Vietnamnet)
Customers coming to Chung's shop sometimes have to sit on the pavement. (Photo: Vietnamnet)
Many people come to the shop because they are curious. But after enjoying, most of them have the same comment "so delicious yet so cheap". Talking about the secret to making delicious pho with only VND 5,000 (USD 0,2), Ms. Chung honestly shared: "Broth is the most important factor to make a delicious pho. At my shop, the broth is completely stewed from chicken bones. Every day I sell out a few dozen chickens and use all the bones to make broth." On average, Ms. Chung sells 30-40 chickens every day, more than 1 quintal of pho bread, and 3 pots of broth.
A close look into the bowl. During the past 16 years, a pho shop in Nam Dinh city has kept the price of VND 5,000 (USD 0,2)/bowl. Every day, the shop serves more than 500 customers. (Photo: Vietnamnet)
Initially, the market price was still low, and Mrs. Chung sold pho at VND 3,000 (USD 0,13)/ bowl. Later, the ingredients got more expensive, so she raises the price to VND 5,000 (USD 0,2)/ bowl. There was a time when the ingredients price was so expensive that she raised the price to VND 10,000 (USD 0,4)/ bowl, but the sale was slow, so she returned to the old price. (Photo: Vietnamnet)
"Some people think that I must use low-quality ingredients to make such low-priced pho. But that's not true. I sell pho for only a little interest, that is just enough for us to live and pay for our employees", said Ms. Chung. (Photo: Vietnamnet)
The Vietnam Restaurant Association, on the afternoon of April 1, in Ho Chi Minh City, in coordination with the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association and the ...
On the morning of November 7, the garden within the Vietnamese Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, was filled with laughter and chatter as more than 40 international guests attended a Vietnamese cooking class. The participants included members of the International Diplomatic Spouses Association in South Africa and representatives of the South African Women’s Association.
According to the Expat Insider 2025 report released by InterNations, Vietnam ranks 5th among 46 countries rated as the best destinations for expatriates.
A free film week celebrating International Children's Day 2026 is being held nationwide from May 31 to June 7, featuring a wide range of animated and live-action films for young audiences.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has issued new “Guidelines on Professional Content for Periodic Health Checkups for Children Under 6 Years Old,” stipulating that children in this age group will receive health examinations at least once a year across multiple medical specialties to help detect physical, mental, and developmental issues early.
Amid the rapid development of the creative economy and digital transformation, cultural industries are increasingly being recognized as a new growth driver for Vietnam. However, for cultural products to truly become economic assets, expand markets, and enhance national competitiveness, copyright and related rights are emerging as a foundational “pillar of support.”
According to information from the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, the Australian Government has reaffirmed its strong and long-term commitment to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam through increased official development assistance (ODA).
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung has signed Directive No. 19/CT-TTg dated May 12, 2026, issued by the Prime Minister on promoting the implementation of the Ethnic Affairs Strategy through 2030, with a vision to 2045.
A series of new mechanisms and policies aimed at attracting and utilizing scientific and technological talent are being implemented simultaneously, ranging from recruitment into state agencies and incentives for experts and digital technology talent to direct investment in young research personnel. The move is considered a major shift in Vietnam’s approach to developing high-quality science and technology human resources.
To commemorate the 76th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Poland (1950-2026), the Vietnam Classical Music Association, in collaboration with the Polish Embassy to Vietnam, organizes the special concert “The Flow of Music” at 8 PM on May 31st at the Ho Guom Theatre (Hanoi).
To commemorate the National Reunification Day on April 30 and International Labor Day on May 1, The Hanoi Train has launched a special reunion trip titled “Touching Memories, Continuing the Legacy of Pride,” running from April 27 to May 3.
Travel
Travel
Handbook
Handbook
Handbook
Handbook
Handbook
Handbook
Handbook
Handbook