Hân, Duyên, Bảo-Trân (their daughter), Lợi and the staff at the opening meal
In the last three months Hân has constructed a luxury restaurant from old buildings which were virtually demolished in the process. On 10th November the restaurant was opened with meals for family, friends and neighbours. People came from the south of Vietnam, from Hà Nội and myself from Scotland. The 14 staff had been well trained and the whole day went smoothly. A pair of dragons with their drummer started the proceedings. And there were, of course, the formal photographs. More detail of the restaurant on the next page. This page has a novelty: an embedded Youtube video of the restaurant opening. However, this adds to an already long page and so to longer loading and the need to press refresh a couple of times.
These floral displays are given to opening businesses
The front of the restaurant which reads: Restaurant, Hân Duyên, Steam Hot-Pot.
With an offer of 10% off, for the first 10 days, on the banner below
Drumming practice while the team get ready
Above is the video made by the local TV station of the opening. It lasts five minutes, so give it time to load when you click on the arrow.
Dragons waiting to enter...
...and trying awkwardly to get through the door
The drum receiving attention from three half dragons
This dragon on the balustrade involves one person holding the other in the air
Dragons displaying on the balcony
Two dumped dragon suits...
...and the yellow owners taking theirs away
A professional photographer gathers photos for publicity
Hân and Duyên
Friends watch the dragons
A view of the ground floor dining room
The main restaurant is on two floors as seen here. There are also five private dining rooms seating an additional 48 guests
Prost, Santé, slàinte, sức khỏe. Health! in any language
Waiters formally attend, as does the television camera making the video linked above - just visible at the left
One corner of the ground floor has a small bar
Beyond the steam the cameraman
Steam rises from the centres of the tables where the cooking takes place...
...but for many the main delight of any meal is the excuse to talk and drink
Three trained chefs now running the best restaurant around
Trailers...
The next page
in the Mosaic Section - 'Attention'.
Or go to the contents of the Mosaic Section. The next page shows the making of the newly opened restaurant.
The last page showed birds from the Icelandic shore
Go to a page on food preparation in Vietnam
To a page on the national dish of Vietnam - Phở
