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Selling lottery tickets, accepting last-minute tickets: ‘Saigon people always help strangers’

Nguyễn Quốc Phương, a lottery ticket seller, received the last ticket of the day to visit his sick father with a waived fee from an airline staff, who was touched and commented, "The people in Saigon often help strangers, and I feel warmth and kinship."

Administrator

15 December, 2023

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As reported by Thanh Nien, on May 31st, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Phuong (29 years old, from Hung Yen province) was denied boarding due to his disability and inability to obtain an identification card or enough money to purchase a ticket to visit his sick father. However, at the last minute, he was assisted by airline staff and airport security in obtaining a ticket for the last flight.

This story has received thousands of interactions on social media, with most comments praising the compassionate and kind-hearted actions in a busy city.

“Very heartwarming!”

In an interview with Thanh Nien on the afternoon of June 2nd, Mr. Phuong shared that upon returning home at 9:30 PM on May 31st, his father’s condition had improved. He explained that he was born with a disability, lacking fingers and having wrinkled skin on his face. Despite being only 29 years old, he has weak health.

When Mr. Phuong was young, he dropped out of school in the middle of 7th grade due to teasing and bullying from his peers. For many years in his hometown, he either worked part-time in music or lived with his foster parents. Three years ago, encouraged by friends and determined to become independent, he traveled alone to Saigon to sell lottery tickets.

On slow days, he only managed to save a few coins from selling lottery tickets

Photo: Thu Thao

He rented a room for 1.5 million VND per month in District 12 and, every day, would go to the lottery agency and then take the bus to Nguyen Anh Thu street or An Suong bus station to sell tickets. Due to his health condition, he only sold tickets from morning until noon before having to rest.

Mr. Phuong said, “Two days before going to the airport, I received a phone call from my family, but I needed time to arrange my accommodation and inform the agency, so I could only go to the airport on May 31st. I asked at various counters to buy a ticket, but they all refused. Feeling disappointed, I wandered around the airport terminal until a security officer noticed and asked me what was wrong. He then took me to Bamboo Airways’ ticket counter.”

Airline staff assisted him with the procedures to board the plane, even without an ID card

Photo: Thu Thao

At the ticket counter, he was informed that the ticket price was 900,000 VND, but he only had 350,000 VND in loose change in his pocket. He sighed, thinking of taking a motorbike taxi to District 7 to borrow money from a friend. Before he could leave, the airline staff and airport security told him to wait and returned the full amount to him, as well as giving him a ticket and some extra money collected from others.

“I was very moved when I received the ticket. I thought I would have no more chances, but I managed to visit my father. With the money I received, I bought some offerings for my grandparents, gifts for my nephew, and then shared stories with my family. Everyone was happy for me because I encountered so many kind-hearted people. I felt warm and grateful,” Mr. Phuong expressed.

Helping strangers

For over a year, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Phuong’s daily sales of lottery tickets have decreased, and the money he earns is just enough for rent and daily expenses. However, he is happy because he can support himself without relying on others.

During the 3 years he has been selling lottery tickets in Saigon, Mr. Phuong can ride the bus for free due to his disability card. He sometimes receives free meals and drinks, and on a few occasions, customers have given him extra money to buy water. Even strangers have given him 100,000 VND when they see him sweating under the sun and dust. These experiences have strengthened his bond with this land.

Mr. Phuong expressed his gratitude for the help from strangers

Photo: Thu Thao

“I’ve seen other disabled people who have to use wheelchairs to sell lottery tickets. Since I can still move around on my own, I have to strive. Despite being strangers, many people in Saigon are willing to help those they meet on the street. That’s one of the reasons why I have stayed on my own here for the past 3 years,” Mr. Phuong shared.

Regarding the identification card, Mr. Phuong explained that in 2013, his mother took him to get one, but no agency could process it due to his lack of fingerprints. During this visit to his hometown, where they are currently making citizen identification cards (CCCD), he will try again for the convenience of urgent matters.