Nong Van Chung, 67, and his wife, Nong Thi Diem, 64, from Lien Hoi Commune, Van Quan District, should be enjoying a peaceful life with their grandchildren. Instead, they must shoulder the burden of caring for their two ailing sons.
Nong Van Thu, the 42-year-old eldest son, has been bedridden for over a year, likely suffering from untreated tuberculosis. The youngest, Nong Van Thuong, 32, has been blind for nearly six years and relies entirely on his parents for daily care.
Nong Van Thu, the 42-year-old eldest son, has been bedridden for over a year, likely suffering from untreated tuberculosis
Before losing his sight, Thuong was a healthy and diligent young man working for a company in China. After a period of strenuous labour, his vision began to deteriorate, accompanied by persistent eye pain. Thinking it was minor, he delayed seeking medical treatment.
In 2019, as his condition worsened, Thuong travelled to the Central Eye Hospital in Hanoi, where he was diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma. By then, his right eye was severely damaged, and his left eye had almost completely lost vision. By 2020, he had gone completely blind.
Thuong receives a monthly allowance of VND 1 million (around USD 38) designated for the severely disabled. His father, who serves as his full-time carer, gets a modest caregiver's allowance of VND 500,000.
Thuong has been blind for nearly six years
The family's one-storey house, built in 2007 with low-grade bricks and scrap wood, is now dilapidated. Cracks run along the walls, allowing rainwater to seep through during storms.
"This year, our house was listed as unsafe and needing repair or replacement. The local authorities offered VND 30 million in support, but we can't afford the required co-funding, so we don't know what to do."
Trieu Van Duong, Deputy Party Secretary of Na Me Hamlet, said the family is classified as near-poor and facing challenging circumstances. With both sons unable to work, the elderly couple remains the family's sole support despite their age and failing health.
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Address: Na Me Village, Lien Hoi Commne, Van Quan District, Lang Son Province
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