An American travel blogger’s return to pay for his forgotten meal in Mai Chau has become a viral story, highlighting both his integrity and the warmth of a local stall owner.
A few days ago, Dustin Cheverier, a well-known travel blogger from Southern California, USA, shared a memorable experience during his trip to Mai Chau, Hoa Binh Province, that quickly went viral.
The stall owner was surprised when the customer returned. (Photo: Screenshot from the video)
While exploring Mai Chau by bicycle, Dustin stopped at a roadside stall to enjoy some bun cha. After finishing his meal, he resumed his journey without realizing he had forgotten to pay. A few kilometers later, it suddenly dawned on him that he hadn't settled the bill. In a panic, Dustin turned his bike around and raced back to the stall.
When the staff saw the foreigner returning, they thought he might have left something behind. The stall owner was puzzled by the sudden reappearance. "Sorry! Sorry! I haven’t paid yet," Dustin said in Vietnamese, visibly flustered.
The owner burst into laughter, reassuring him, "It's okay, it's okay. You could have come back later this afternoon or tomorrow to pay; no need to rush back." Despite the reassurances, Dustin continued to apologize, still out of breath, clearly having pedaled back as fast as he could.
The short video capturing this incident has garnered over a million views across social media platforms, attracting thousands of comments. Many netizens praised Dustin for his honesty and politeness. The warm and welcoming attitude of the stall owner also left a positive impression on viewers.
The American tourist hurriedly pedals back to the restaurant under the scorching heat. (Screenshot from video)
According to reports, the stall, named Pho Vy Nam Dinh, is located in Mai Chau, Hoa Binh, about 10 kilometers from Lac Village. The stall owner shared with VietNamNet that the event took place about a month ago.
"It was really hot at that time, so when I saw him return, drenched in sweat and out of breath, I felt so sorry for him. I've had customers forget to pay before, so it’s not a big deal. The cost of a meal isn't much, and most people will remember and come back to pay. In this case, the bun cha cost only 30,000 VND," the stall owner said.
She mentioned that her stall has been open for over five years, specializing in Nam Dinh-style pho. Other dishes on the menu include bun cha, pork intestines, beef stew, and rice. The stall operates from morning until 9 PM daily.
"In the past two days, many people have visited the stall to ask about the incident. They’ve praised me for being friendly and cheerful. But honestly, I think it was just a small matter; the important thing is that the foreign guest was so honest and endearing," she added.
Vietnamnet.vn
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