“Uncle Sy, play the violin for us today!” a customer asked. “Alright, alright, what songs do you kids want? Sit tight, order your food, I’ll entertain you,” Vu Van Sy, 71, the owner, replied cheerfully.

Sy warmly greeted guests, directed parking, arranged seating, answered questions, and swiftly carried dipping sauce, pickled sunchokes, herbal tea, and relayed menu orders to his wife and staff.

In the kitchen, sizzling oil and the aroma of fried potatoes and nem chua filled the air. Steamed snails put in bowls were quickly served.

“Bring these to the table, I’m grabbing my treasure,” Sy whispered to his wife, dashing inside to fetch his violin case. He carefully wiped his hands before opening it, checked the instrument, and excitedly brought it out.

Seeing him with his violin, customers clapped in welcome. Without a word, all eyes turned to him. The image of the eatery owner in a T-shirt, shorts, flip-flops, and cap, playing violin for diners in a humble snail shop in a cramped alley went viral online.

Familiar tunes like “Dat nuoc tron niem vui” (The country full of joy) and “Nhu co Bac Ho trong ngay vui dai thang” (As if Uncle Ho were here on victory day) filled the air. Sy played passionately, lost in the rhythm, his face turned beaming as if he was on a grand stage.

“Eating snails while listening to music like at a lounge,” one netizen said. “Uncle plays so smoothly, with the flair of an artist,” another noted. “A one-of-a-kind spot with street food but music as fancy as a 5-star hotel” was the assessment of one diner.

The snail eatery run by Oanh, his wife, has always been popular, but since Sy started playing violin, it’s grown even busier.

Beyond the tasty snails, customers also come because of curiosity, and others return for the music or Sy’s witty, sharp humor.

“Customers call me many names, nutcase, people’s artist.  As long as they enjoy my music, I’m happy,” Sy said.

He said said he loved singing and performing when he was a child. At high school, he joined the city’s music team, learning basic music theory and the violin.

“Back then, two team members shared one violin, crafted by carpenters. I was hooked, practicing whenever I could, was never bored,” he recalled. He performed at theaters in Hanoi, Nam Dinh and beyond.

In 1975, he spent VND200 on a violin, which he cherished. “A plate of snails cost just 0.2 VND then, so the violin was a big deal,” he said.

Despite his love for music, family hardships forced Sy to work as a bus station worker. “In 1992, my wife carried our kid on her back, selling snails on the streets to make ends meet. I helped her after work. The violin sat there, and the dream of playing the violin was far away,” he said.

Oanh’s knack for selecting and cleaning snails, plus her delicious dipping sauce, made the eatery a hit. Word spread, and they rented a place on Thai Ha street.

In 2008, they moved the eatery to their home’s front on Trung Liet alley. “Life got easier, and I thought about playing violin again at age 53 or 54. At first, my fingers were stiff, and useless. It took time to get back into it,” Sy said.

Since then, whenever he has free time or wants to serve familiar customers, he will play the violin.

A customer from HCM City traveled to Hanoi just to eat at the eatery and hear Sy play. 

“He asked me to play ‘Moi Tinh Dau’ (First Love) by The Duy. I admitted I didn’t know it. He sent me a music book and promised to return. Meeting a music lover, I was thrilled, practiced all week. When he came back, I played confidently, and he was amazed,” Sy recalled.

“I’m not a good player, but I’m passionate. Playing makes me happy first, lifts my spirit, keeps my hands nimble and mind sharp. The customers enjoy, and the place buzzes,” he said.

With their two grown and successful children, Sy and Oanh no longer face financial strain.

In the morning, Oanh prepares snails while Sy helps by peeling fruits, slicing lemongrass and chili, lighting the fire, and boiling water. They open at 2 pm.

Linh Trang