Statue of Ngo Bao Chau in Tinh Bang Huu coffee shop.

People are taken by surprise those days in Tinh Bang Huu coffee shop to witness a statue of Professor Ngo Bao Chau with one hand holding his eye glasses and the other holding books. The 3-m high copper-like plastic statue represents spirit of Vietnamese people.

 “It is amazing idea to me. People are expressing their love to this professor while the nation is offering favorable conditions to talents,” said Mr. Pham An Hoa, a civil servant working in Ho Chi Minh City. For the last week, he visited Tinh Bang Huu coffee shop out of curiosity at first but with enthusiasm at last to the idea.

 “At first, I intended to put statue of Kong Ming but made my second thought and decided to make a statue of Professor Ngo Bao Chau out of personal respect,” said Mr. Phung Minh Tam, the shop owner. Initially, Tam chose copper to build the statue but switched to plastic to reduce cost from VND 1 billion to about VND 200 million.

 “People may put question mark on whether I have made the statue to attract people. But, I have made his statue in respect and really wanted to create a special corners for my friends and everyone,” said Tam who is now an employee to Binh Duong Department of Trade and Industry.

 It has been over 20 years Tam owns Tinh Bang Huu coffee shop which was initially named Lucky. The name Tinh Bang Huu was created to uphold the idea that this coffee shop would create a good place for friends.

 Reported by Ly Khanh Vinh – Translated by Vi Bao