.jpg "Hoi An’s Tra Que vegetable village bustling with foreign tourists after floods")
Gửi bình luận
DNO - On November 11, Tran Hoang Phuong, a fruit vendor residing in Phu Quoc, Vietnam received a certificate of merit from the local government for helping a foreign tourist reunite with a missing family member.
A touching story has gone viral after a local fruit vendor helped a South Korean tourist find his missing mother, and then firmly refused a cash reward.
As reported by Vietnamese news agencies such as VnExpress, the incident happened around 6 p.m. on November 2, near a fruit shop on Tran Hung Dao Street, one of Phu Quoc’s busiest areas.
A South Korean man, visiting the island with his family, rushed to the shop asking for help, saying, “My mother has gone missing". He explained that his elderly mother had suddenly disappeared while shopping at a nearby a mart.
The shop owner, Hoang Phuong, immediately checked security footage and spotted the woman passing by the shop just minutes earlier.
Phuong stopped his work, gave the tourist a ride on his motorcycle to search nearby streets, and posted information on local social media groups.
After about two hours, they found the elderly mother walking with a cane roughly 4 - 5 kilometers away. Overwhelmed with gratitude, the S.Korean tourist offered Phuong US$500 as thanks, but the vendor politely and repeatedly refused.
Security footage later showed Phuong waving off the offer with a smile, saying “No,” as the tourist bowed in appreciation.
According to Vietnamese newspaper, at the award ceremony, Nguyen Thi Kim Loan, the Vice Chairwoman of the Phu Quoc People’s Committee, praised Phuong’s exemplary act of kindness.
“People in Phu Quoc have long been known for their warmth and willingness to help visitors in any situation, regardless of whether they are foreign or domestic tourists. Phuong’s action may seem simple, but it carries great significance for the image of Phu Quoc’s people and tourism. We hope that examples like his will continue to inspire others and spread throughout the community”, this official said.
The heartwarming story of Hoang Phuong’s selfless act has also drawn attention beyond Vietnam. South Korean media outlets, including JTBC News, the Chosun Daily and SBS News, praised his courage and compassion, highlighting how his kindness helped a tourist in distress.
Phuong’s act of quiet heroism has touched hearts, becoming a symbol of the compassion and integrity deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture.
His story reminds travellers why Vietnam is not only known for its breathtaking landscapes but also for the warmth and humanity of its people, values that continue to define the nation’s true beauty.