A table where former US President Barack Obama
enjoyed a $6 meal at a Vietnamese restaurant has been frozen in
time.
Sitting on a plastic stool in front of a bowl
of pork noodles, Obama was pictured having dinner at the Bun Cha
Huong Lien restaurant in Hanoi with US celebrity chef Anthony
Bourdain in May 2016.
And nearly two years on, the same table -
complete with plates, bowls, chopsticks, empty beer bottles, and
plastic stools - have been encased in glass.
The restaurant owners said the idea to
preserve the setting sprung into mind after curious customers were
constantly asking them where Obama sat and what he ate.
'The customers love it, many take photos next
to the table,' co-owner of the restaurant Nguyen Thi Hang Nga told
the BBC.
'For us, it is a nice memory that we will
cherish forever. It is not a PR gimmick, I don't think we get more
clientele.
'The display was set up just before the Lunar
New Year [in mid-February] and I haven't noticed any change in the
flow of diners.'
The owners have also set the table exactly how
it was arranged for Obama.
'Of course, the bowls and plates on display
have been washed, as well as the empty beer bottles,' the owner
said.
Taking to Instagram, Mr Bourdain shared a
photograph of the table where he dined at with the former
president, adding: 'Not sure how I feel about this.'
The honour is usually reserved for the
country's top leaders - and Obama's display is said to be the first
foreign dignity recognised.
The pair stopped by the restaurant in 2016
during Obama's May trip to Vietnam while filming a scene for Mr
Bourdain's show 'Parts Unknown'.
Since Obama's visit, foreigners from all walks
of life have been to the restaurant to order the signature dish -
dubbed Obama's bun cha' - grilled pork patty and bacon in a sweet
broth with rice noodles.