WeTreo Project: Paying for Meals or Drinks You Won’t Use — and “Hanging” Them for Others

In the early days of the new year, it is not uncommon to see homeless people, less fortunate individuals, or street vendors on cold street corners. Beyond that, in the boarding houses where poor patients and their families stay while seeking treatment in major cities, living conditions remain difficult and inadequate. This is the reason the WeTreo project was launched on MoMo — Vietnam’s largest e-wallet platform — and has since begun to spread within the community.

What is WeTreo?

Over the past six months, “Phở Treo,” “Bún Treo,” “Cơm Treo,” and similar shops have quietly appeared across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, quickly creating a strong social impact. The model works simply: when a customer buys a meal for themselves, they may choose to pay for a second or third meal but “hang” it at the shop. The shop owners are responsible for providing these meals — identical in value and quality to paid meals — to people in need, such as street vendors, the homeless, and elderly individuals living alone.

Thanks to this model, the pair of shops Phở Treo in Hanoi and Bún Treo in Ho Chi Minh City were recently honored at the WeChoice Awards 2024 as inspiring community initiatives.

Building on this idea, the WeChoice Awards organizing committee, together with the Hat Vung Charity Foundation, MoMo, and several partners, launched the WeTreo project on a larger scale with the goal of establishing a nationwide network of “hanging meal” shops — all connected through a unified application platform on MoMo.

During the WeChoice Awards 2024 Gala on January 12, director Việt Tú presented the WeTreo symbol to the owners of Phở Treo and Bún Treo, officially kicking off the project. He shared that while there may be only two participating shops today, that number could one day grow to 20,000 or even 200,000. The symbol represents hope — that no one should have to worry about going hungry.

The first shops joining the WeTreo network

As of the morning of January 18, six establishments have joined the WeTreo network: Bún Cá Lóc Phan Lê – Cao Thắng, Robusta Honey Coffee Company – Balzar Hoàng Sa branch, Sữa Hạt Xanh Premium, Bánh Bèo Nậm Lọc 3 Mẹt – Hoa Cau, Bánh Bèo Nậm Lọc 3 Mẹt – Lê Văn Sỹ, and Café Hạt – Tô Hiệu. The number of “hanging meals” contributed so far is approximately 30 portions.

In a recent interview, Mr. Nguyễn Huy Bảo, owner of Café Hạt (G4 Alley 233 Tô Hiệu, Cầu Giấy, Hanoi), shared:

“In the rush of daily life, many vulnerable people face immense hardships. For them, life’s burdens cannot be solved overnight. A ‘hanging’ meal not only fills the stomach but also offers emotional comfort — a reminder that kindness and compassion still exist.”

“Cơm treo and phở treo express the humanity and quiet romance of community spirit — where everyone contributes a little to create something beautiful. Free meals do more than ease hunger; they spread warmth, hope, and faith in a brighter future.”

“This model becomes even more meaningful because it is not only about helping people ‘fill their stomachs,’ but about nourishing their spirit. A ‘hanging’ cup of coffee is an invitation to pause, breathe, enjoy a moment of calm, and regain the strength needed for the journey ahead. We hope that there will be a hanging coffee every day — starting with one cup, then two, then ten — to continue spreading compassion throughout the community.”

In another development, the campaign “Together Contribute 10,000 Hanging Meals – Sharing Warmth with Those in Need” has so far received support from more than 110 contributors, raising over 8 million VND. These meals will be delivered to patients and their families facing financial hardship at major hospitals across the country, including: K Hospital – Tân Triều Campus, Bạch Mai Hospital, the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (Hanoi); Đà Nẵng Hospital; and Children’s Hospital No.1 (Ho Chi Minh City), among others.

You can make a contribution immediately — even 1,000 or 2,000 VND — by clicking here.