A complimentary pot of iced tea under the zucchini trellis soothes the “blazing” heat in Ho Chi Minh City

Article & photos: Quynh Tam – Dan Tri Newspaper

Two free water bottles in front of Mac Ty Nho Church (Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1) attract the attention of passersby because of their unique and eye-catching decoration.

People in Ho Chi Minh City are experiencing peak sunny days; some days, the temperature reaches 36-37 degrees Celsius. Amid the scorching heat, it is easy to see free cool water bottles placed on the sidewalk to help commuters. The road alleviates the harshness of the weather.

Two pots of complimentary iced tea in front of Mac Ty Nho church (Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1) especially attract attention.

There are many free iced teas on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, but the iced tea pot here can be considered “unique” because of its unique decoration that makes everyone turn their heads when passing by this street.

Two eye-catching decorated free water bottles on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street.

Two water bottles, including a bottle of spring water and a pot of iced tea, are placed under the roof of the leaf hut, covered by a lush pumpkin trellis and adorned with eye-catching lanterns. Next to the two water bottles are plastic baskets to classify clean and used cups.

Over the past year, these two water bottles have become free “refreshment stations” for countless passersby, lottery ticket sellers, bottle pickers, delivery people, motorbike taxi drivers…

In the past, two water pots were placed rustically under the roof of the leaf hut. After the recent Lunar New Year, the parish priest at the church proposed planting more pumpkin trellises to create shade.

During peak hours, delivery people, motorbike taxi drivers, lottery ticket sellers… constantly stop by to get water. Sometimes, they must line up to fill the bottle and drink it in one gulp…

Many motorbike taxi drivers and delivery people stopped by for a drink.

It is known that water bottles, cups, filtered water, and tea are donated by the church, while filling tea, adding ice, and washing glasses are mainly done by nearby parishioners who take turns helping.

Dan Tri, the reporter, met with the parish priest, who proposed placing these two complimentary water bottles. However, he refused to tell more about himself because he considered this a small job with no need to show off.

“The two jars were born to serve free of charge to passersby and manual workers… We don’t want anything more than to see them have a place for free refreshments in the middle of the day.” The bright sunshine is fun,” a parishioner at the church expressed.

This “free drink” is available daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.. On average, there are 7-8 water refills per day. Whenever the water tank runs out, someone immediately brings water and ice to refill it.

Parishioners near the church share the work of making tea and washing cups.

Sweating profusely, Mr. Tran Ngoc Lam (born 1990) – who has been working in the delivery business for more than a year – stopped in front of two complimentary water bottles, poured iced tea into his thermos, and took a sip immediately—cool, refreshing water.

“Here, the water is clean, and the cups are carefully sorted for users. Every day, I stop by to drink water 4-5 times; thanks to that, I can save tens of thousands more money on buying soft drinks,” Mr. Lam expressed.

Some drivers stop by to get water 3-4 times a day.

Passersby carry thermos bottles to store water.

For Mr. Nguyen Van Nhao (born in 1985), this place is his ideal “water stop.” Every day, Mr. Nhao stops by for a drink. Sometimes, he stops by to get water and see how high the pumpkin trellis has climbed. In the middle of a bustling city, he feels happy to have a uniquely cultivated zucchini trellis.

Mrs. Oanh (born 1950) is a waste seller who often comes here for water. Every day, she pushes her cart past this road and stops to fill a bottle of water to bring home. In the middle of a luxurious city, the old lady with the dirty Ba Ba shirt finds herself more appreciated for such small things.

The squash rack and two complimentary water bottles attract the attention of passersby.

Ms. Thu (born 1969), a housekeeper at the kindergarten next to the church, also carries a plastic cup to pour iced tea daily. According to her, these two pots of iced tea have “cooled the hearts and minds” of many passersby.

“The iced tea here is fragrant and delicious. Everyone here has to cook tea and pour ice continuously, which is hard, but no one complains. On the contrary, they are very enthusiastic and happy,” Ms. Thu said.