The family of Le Tien Dung in Co Do Commune, Hanoi, celebrated Lunar New Year or Tet 2026 in their new home, constructed with financial support from readers of Dantri/Dtinews.
Dung besides his grandparents and mother at their new house (Photo: Gia Khoa).
According to Dung’s grandparents, Phuong Thi Nam and Le The Vuong, it was an especially meaningful Tet as Dung and his mother were able to celebrate in a safe, permanent house.
“This house is the result of the generosity of Dantri readers, benefactors, local authorities and relatives,” Vuong said.
Nam by the altar, placed in a prominent position in the new home (Photo: Gia Khoa).
Nam said Dung’s mother, Le Thi Lien, 34, has suffered from severe mental illness since childhood. Unable to care for herself, Lien depends entirely on her parents and at times cannot control her behaviour.
Nam was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in 2012. Though devastated at first, she said her concern for her mentally-ill daughter gave her the strength to continue.
In 2016, Lien was sexually assaulted while wandering outside and became pregnant, not knowing the identity of the child’s father. Nam said she cried for several nights, blaming herself for failing to protect her daughter amid her own illness.
When Lien gave birth to Le Tien Dung, Nam took on the responsibility of caring for both her daughter and grandson.
Boy Le Tien Dung plays innocently in his new home (Photo: Gia Khoa).
In June 2025, after Dantri reported on their circumstances, readers donated more than VND 106 million (about USD 4,200). The family decided to use the entire sum to build a new home for Dung and his mother.
The house was completed in time for Lunar New Year 2026.
“I feel reassured knowing Dung and his mother now have this house. He has a safe place to study and grow up,” Nam said through tears.
Her greatest wish for the new year, she added, is good health so she can continue supporting Dung’s education, hoping he will one day secure stable employment.
Dung and his mother in front of their new home (Photo: Gia Khoa).
Dung said he plans to draw a picture of the new house to give to his grandparents and hang it on the wall. “Our new house is very beautiful. I will study hard to make my grandparents happy,” he said, his eyes shining with joy.
Responding to the government’s campaign to eliminate temporary and dilapidated housing, Dantri has set a target of building 200 houses for poor and near-poor households nationwide during 2024-2025.
Since April 2024, the newspaper has started construction on 253 houses, completing 217 of them.
Beyond the housing initiative, Dantri has built 58 classrooms, 32 rural bridges and roads, and 50 floating homes for flood-prone areas. It has organised 28 free medical check-up and consultation programmes for more than 6,000 people, provided 7,210 health insurance cards to disadvantaged students, and launched nearly 6,000 fundraising appeals for families facing extreme hardship.
The newspaper also places strong emphasis on activities honouring national contributors during major holidays and anniversaries, while delivering emergency assistance to communities affected by natural disasters and crises.
