Meet Tam — the bull terrier with a donkey face, a heart of gold, and a fanbase so big her owner fears being overwhelmed by crowds.
HANOI (Vietnam Insider) — A small barbecue restaurant tucked away in Thinh Quang Alley in Hanoi has suddenly become one of the city’s hottest spots — not for its grilled pork or spicy dipping sauce, but for its resident dog named Tam, whose “ugly-cute” face has made her an unlikely internet star.
The four-year-old bull terrier, known for her long snout, sharp ears, and expressive face, went viral after netizens noticed her resemblance to “Cậu Vàng,” a dog character from the trending Vietnamese indie game Brother Hai’s Pho Restaurant. When owner Xuan Minh jokingly commented online that his pet looked like the digital dog, he never expected the photo to explode across social media.
“People started sharing Tam’s picture everywhere,” Minh told reporter. “Now, customers come to the restaurant just to meet her. Some even bring snacks for Tam!”
Weighing 22 kilograms and raised by Minh’s family since she was a puppy, Tam has a playful personality that wins over visitors instantly. “At first, everyone said she looked like a donkey or a goat,” Minh laughed. “But once they meet her, they realize she’s incredibly friendly and smart. She even walks up to diners’ tables to beg politely for grilled meat.”
The restaurant, which has been operating for more than three years, serves grilled pork, toasted baguettes, snacks, and hotpot from 6 p.m. to midnight daily. But since Tam’s viral fame, business has skyrocketed. “We used to serve just locals,” Minh said. “Now, we’re full almost every night. If it keeps going like this, we might have to hire more staff — I’m worried we won’t be able to serve everyone!”
The “Tam effect” has turned the modest family-run eatery into a must-visit attraction, with customers snapping selfies, sharing videos on TikTok, and tagging the location as “the BBQ place with the cute weird dog.”
Minh, while grateful, hopes visitors will remain considerate. “We’re happy people love Tam,” he said. “But please come with kindness — we’re still just a small local restaurant.”
The story follows a growing trend in Vietnam, where local eateries gain fame thanks to their four-legged mascots. Last year, a grilled pork skewer shop in Ho Chi Minh City saw a similar boom after videos of its two corgis greeting customers went viral.
As for Tam, she seems unfazed by her new celebrity status. Between greeting guests and snagging free bites of barbecue, Hanoi’s newest canine icon is happily living her best — and busiest — life.
Related
Discover more from Vietnam Insider
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Source: Vietnam Insider