Following the winding dirt road of Than Binh Hamlet, we crossed the garden, fish pond, to the small level 4 house at the end of the hamlet.
The house is empty first, apart, and silent to the point of being heartless. Behind the old wall, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Mai (born in 1962) lay motionless on the old bed, while Mr. Duong Ton Bao (born in 1966) sat quietly next to her, with familiar hands taking care of his wife.
Mr. Bao gently wiped his face, rubbed his wife's hand and slowly pulled each tablespoon of porridge. "I'm used to wife lying down like that, I'm happy with what I can do to relieve my wife's pain," Mr. Bao said quietly.
Mrs. Mai suffered from many diseases at the same time, the most serious of which was a cerebral infarction due to a blockage of cerebral blood vessels. In addition, there are brain tumors, high blood pressure and diabetes that need long-term treatment.
Since becoming ill, she has not been able to do her daily activities. "My wife used to raise chickens and work assigned. Now you have to ask me," Mr. Bao sighed, his eyes not leaving his wife lying on the bed.
The couple has been together for nearly 40 years but has no children. "Without children, no matter how young or old, there are only the couple relying on each other. I worry about my wife's illness," Mr. Bao shared.
Mr. Bao said that in August 2025, when his wife was hospitalized for a long time, he had to quit selling lottery tickets to be on duty. Currently, Ms. Mai is receiving acupuncture treatment at Vinh Long Traditional Medicine Hospital, for 3 weeks each, with 2 weeks off. Each treatment costs about 4 million VND after insurance.
Every day he sells about 150 lottery tickets to support his wife. Some days they sell out, some days they are unsold, but thanks to the charity of the lottery ticket sellers, every day when he sees him unsold, he sells by the side, helping him continue to take care of his wife every day.
"The doctor said my wife had to be treated for a long time, and for many years to get better. After listening, I just worry, I don't know where to get the money to cover all expenses," Mr. Bao choked up.
Mrs. Sau Thao, a neighbor, said that everyone in the neighborhood felt sorry for Mr. Bao's situation. When they had fish, meat, and some rice, they gave Mr. Bao and Mrs. Mai to help with the food for a few days.
"Many people are not well off but still buy a few more lottery tickets to help Mr. Bao earn more money to go to the fields to take care of his wife's medicine," Ms. Thao added.
Ms. Cao Thanh Thuy - Secretary and Head of Than Binh Hamlet - said that the locality is always concerned about this situation. "Whether it is a charity gift or a donation, the hamlet always prioritizes proposing support," said Ms. Thuy.
Previously, the dilapidated house of Mrs. Mai and her husband was mobilized by the Commune Women's Union to be rebuilt. However, the prolonged illness has made life increasingly difficult.
The treatment journey ahead is still long, while human resources and money are gradually depleted. Mr. Bao and his wife really hope to receive the sharing of readers from near and far.
"Every help, no matter how small, is a source of encouragement for the poor husband to continue to persevere in taking care of his wife, keeping hope in the midst of difficult days," Ms. Thuy added.
Please send any help to LD25092 to the Golden Heart Charity Fund - 51 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Account number (STK) 113000000758 at Vietinbank Hoan Kiem Branch, Hanoi; Contact number: 0021000303088 - at Vietcombank Hanoi Branch; Contact number: 12410001122556 - at BIDV Hoan Kiem Branch.
Or contact directly Mr. Duong Ton Bao, Than Binh Hamlet, Tan Long Hoi Commune, Vinh Long Province. Or by phone number: 0898.045.089
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