Nearly 80 years ago, in the early days of Vietnam’s independence, President Ho Chi Minh shared an unforgettable meal with the family of Mrs. Thu in Phu Gia village, on the outskirts of Hanoi – a moment of quiet warmth amid momentous change. From August 23 to 25, 1945, this family’s riverside home served as a secret resting place for Uncle Ho and his close comrades as they prepared to enter the city and deliver the Declaration of Independence.

More than a year later, after the country had gained independence, on November 24th, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh returned to visit the family and shared a family meal. At a time when the country was still struggling, Uncle Ho worried about the “extravagant” menu of chicken, Vietnamese pork sausage, braised pork, fish, boiled vegetables, and taro soup. The head of the household replied, “Traditionally, in Phu Gia Village, when guests come to the house, we must invite them to a proper meal.” Most of the dishes were home-cooked, with a few brought from a nearby market. This “meal of independence” was fairly simple by today’s standards, but evoked a spirit of purity and simplicity, reflecting the hospitality of Hanoi’s people.