Zero-VND Stall – connecting hearts

Driven by a desire to spread kindness and a spirit of sharing, the Zero-VND Stall initiative was launched three years ago, in March, through a joint effort by the Women's Union and the Red Cross Chapter of Quarter 6 (Tam Hiep ward).

Women’s union members choose Ao Dai at the Zero-VND Stall. Photo: Nga Son

By receiving used items and belongings that are still usable and sharing them with those in need, the Zero-VND Stall has become a bridge of compassion between donors and recipients.

From Ao Dai shared with love

Not just a garment, the Ao Dai (traditional long tunic dress) is also a symbol of gentle beauty and a hallmark of Vietnamese culture. That is why almost every woman wishes to own one. However, the cost of tailoring an Ao Dai is quite high, so many women, despite their desire, have not had the opportunity to own one. In response to the “Ao Dai – Sharing Love” program launched by the Provincial Women’s Union, the Zero-VND Stall of the Women’s Union Branch and the Red Cross Branch of Quarter 6 (Tam Hiep ward) has received donated Ao Dai to give to members and women in difficult circumstances.

During the recent International Women’s Day (March 8), the stall displayed around 300 ao dai, giving many members and women the chance to select one.

Vu Thi Loan (43 years old), a resident of Quarter 6, Tam Hiep ward, works as a freelancer and rarely has the opportunity to wear an ao dai. She shared that she loves the traditional outfit for its flattering yet modest and graceful design. However, due to the high cost of tailoring, she owns only one or two sets and has not had a new one made for a long time. Knowing that the Zero-VND Stall in her quarter would open during International Women’s Day (March 8), Loan joined and was fortunate to find a beautiful Ao Dai to add to her wardrobe.

Similarly, although fond of ao dai, Le Thi Kieu, who rents a room near the Quarter 6 Cultural House in Tam Hiep ward, rarely wears one because she helps out at a food stall. So, instead of buying an Ao Dai for herself, she usually rents one or chooses other outfits when the family has a wedding. When she saw many sets of ao dai hanging at the Zero-VND Stall in the quarter, she stopped by with her mother and daughter.

In her view, although the Ao Dai were pre-owned, many still looked new and had very attractive designs. As a result, in just about 15 minutes, she picked out three for herself, two for her mother, and one children's Ao Dai for her young daughter. This convenience means her family no longer needs to rent Ao Dai for occasions when they need to wear them. “I find this initiative very meaningful. It allows those with extra to share with those in need, giving them access to Ao Dai and essential items free of charge, while spreading compassion and strengthening community bonds,” she said.

Spreading the value of the Zero-VND Stall

In addition to Ao Dai and used clothing, the Zero-VND Stall also accepts a wide range of items, including blankets, backpacks, handbags, stuffed animals, bicycles, and other daily necessities.

Sharing more about the Zero-VND Stall, Nguyen Thi Nguyet Tu, Head of the organizing group, said that with the desire to connect hearts and support those in difficult circumstances, since March 2023, the Women’s Union Branch and the Red Cross Branch of Quarter 6, Tam Hiep ward, have established the Zero-VND Stall. At that time, the stall had only 6–7 members. In its early days, few people knew about it, so most of the items came from members' personal contributions or from their acquaintances. As for the traditional ao dai, since 2024, after the Provincial Women’s Union launched the “Ao Dai – Sharing Love” program, the Zero-VND Stall has also received many donated Ao Dai from members and women, especially those working in the education sector.

With the motto "It's not just what you give, but how you give,” all donated items, including ao dai, clothing, and other items, are carefully sorted before distribution. Ao dai, dresses, skirts, and clothes are neatly hung, while other items are arranged tidily in the stall or stored carefully. For stuffed animals, the team washes and dries them before giving them away to ensure hygiene. The stall opens once a week, on Thursday evenings (from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.), allowing people in difficult circumstances or those in need to come and choose the items they require. These meaningful activities quickly spread, attracting 25 members participating with their zero-VND stalls. The group not only receives donations from individuals and households within the quarter but also from other quarters inside and outside the ward.

“In the coming time, we will continue to maintain the stall with weekly sessions. The range of donated items is expected to become more diverse, including household goods and some fresh food such as eggs and vegetables, to meet people’s needs. We hope that each item given will help spread love and strengthen community bonds," said Tu.

Beyond its regular weekly operation at the Quarter Cultural House, the Zero-VND Stall has also delivered clothing and thick blankets to support people in northern and central provinces affected by storms and floods, as well as residents in remote areas of the province.

By Nga Son – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho