Amidst the roaring machinery and the bustling pace of the Hacom Mall Mixed-use Complex project in Phan Rang – Thap Cham City, Ninh Thuan Province, there is a small corner where the fire burns bright every day -Ms. Manh’s kitchen. Having been with Van Lang’s projects for over 10 years, she is the silent “caretaker” contributing to a stable and warm life for the engineers and staff at the construction site.
In a place that seems to consist only of concrete, steel, and deadline pressures, the meals she cooks serve as a spiritual anchor, where everyone is cared for just like in their own home.
Meals: A Part of Family Bonds
As the person in charge of the kitchen for the Site Management Board, Ms. Manh’s day begins at 6:00 AM. She goes to the market early to select the freshest ingredients and returns to prepare lunch for more than 20 site officers. Every meal is well-balanced with four dishes: a main savory dish, green vegetables, hot soup, and indispensable fruit for dessert amidst the sweltering heat of Phan Rang.
“I treat them like family. Working at a construction site is hard, so they must eat properly. I remember exactly who can’t eat spicy food or who dislikes fat so I can cook separately for them,” Ms. Manh shared cheerfully.
To her, cooking is not merely a job to earn a living but an expression of sharing and caring. This is how she keeps the “fire” alive for a collective that works day and night.
No Worry of Hunger, Only the Worry of Not Having Enough Strength to Work
Mr. Le Trung Hieu – Deputy Project Manager of Hacom Mall, has over 15 years of experience in the construction industry. He has traveled to many projects across the S-shaped land. However, what makes him particularly attached to Van Lang is not its scale or equipment, but the genuine care for the laborers.
“I have never worked anywhere else where we are looked after from our meals to our sleep like this. There were days I happened to mention craving a certain dish, and the very next day, Ms. Manh had cooked it. At that moment, I no longer felt like an employee; I felt like a family member,” Mr. Hieu shared emotionally.
In his role as Safety Officer, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong closely monitors the living conditions and work performance of the entire team. What impresses him about Van Lang is not the modern technology or machinery, but how the company cares for its employees starting from the most basic needs.
“The engineers and workers here have hot meals and clean, fully equipped resting areas. Because of that, their spirits are comfortable, more bonded, and they work more responsibly. Even without being pushed, productivity still increases,” Safety Officer Nguyen Thanh Phong shared excitedly.
According to Mr. Phong, the company’s care for its employees is a form of “soft safety” that comes from psychological and physical stability. This is something few construction companies pay adequate attention to.
Living and Working as a Family
At Van Lang, caring for people is not a slogan hung on the wall; it is a living value practiced every day. No one is left behind-from the cook to the project manager, everyone is cared for fairly and sincerely.
Through these small but meaningful actions, we are creating a working environment that is not only professional but also filled with human kindness.
Lan Anh
