Vu Thi Tang, 31, and her 12-year-old son, Vu Tien Thanh, have recently moved into their new home in Na Son Commune, Dien Bien Province.
The house was built with financial contributions from Dantri readers, local officials and neighbours.
Tang, who is raising her son alone, has struggled to make ends meet since breaking her collarbone in a workplace accident, which left her in poor health. The two had previously lived in a makeshift bamboo shelter of about 20 square metres, which had been blown down by strong winds twice.
Her greatest wish was to provide her son with a secure home where he could live and study in better conditions.
After Dantri published an article highlighting the family's circumstances, readers and charitable donors contributed VND 72.99 million (approximately USD 2,800) to help Tang build a new house. Commune officials and villagers also volunteered their labour, allowing construction to be completed quickly without additional costs.
The new house covers about 50 square metres and is built of wood, with a corrugated metal roof and a solid cement floor.
Tang said having a secure home had given her greater peace of mind as she worked to support her son.
"I never imagined I could afford to build a house like this. Thanks to Dantri readers and the villagers, my son and I now have a safe and sturdy place to live. I am deeply grateful to everyone," she said.
"From now on, I will work harder in the fields, growing rice and maize and raising livestock to support my son's education. I do not want to let down those who have helped us."
For Thanh, the new home has also brought significant improvements to daily life. He no longer has to worry about damp, slippery floors when it rains or the summer heat entering through gaps in the bamboo walls.
"Now that we have a new home, I have a better place to study and live. I will do my best at school so that I can find a good job in the future and make life easier for my mother. I want to thank Dantri and everyone who has helped us," he said.
Lo Thi Tam, deputy chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Na Son Commune, expressed gratitude on behalf of local authorities and community organisations to Dantri readers and charitable donors for supporting disadvantaged families in the area, including Tang's.
"The readers' contributions have helped Tang and her son fulfil their dream of having a secure home. This support has also encouraged her to stabilise their lives, care for her son and gradually improve their circumstances," Tam said.
