Ha Thi My Huong lives with her siblings in a borrowed, dilapidated house in Tan Hoi Commune. Her father, Ha Van Ot, died at the age of 38 in a traffic accident three years ago while returning from construction work. Her mother, Nguyen Thi Yen Ha, 44, had relied on low-paid farm jobs to support the family, forcing Huong to leave school to help care for her younger siblings.
In late 2025, her mother suffered a psychological crisis and left home. Since then, Huong has become the sole provider, earning about VND 150,000 (USD 5.80) per day from manual work in local vegetable gardens.
Ha Thi My Huong and her three younger siblings (Photo: Minh Hau).
“Every day I wake up early, prepare things and take my siblings to school. Then I go home to cook lunch for them before heading to the fields to work,” she said.
“When I am at work, I collect discarded vegetables and bring them home to cook. Sometimes neighbours give me some money so I can buy meat or fish. My biggest wish now is to earn enough to take care of my siblings,” she added.
Huong and her youngest sister (Photo: Minh Hau).
Ha Thi My Huong by her father's altar (Photo: Minh Hau).
Nguyen Thi My Le, a distant relative, has become the family’s main support. She has allowed the children to stay in her old house and occasionally provides rice, food and small amounts of money.
“I felt sorry for them, so I repaired the old house for the family to stay. Since the mother left, I and some neighbours have continued to visit and help the children when we can,” she said.
Ha Thi My Huong could not control her emotions while discussing her family situation (Photo: Minh Hau).
Nguyen Thi Bach Suong, head of the Lam Dong association for supporting poor patients, people with disabilities and child protection, confirmed that Huong is now solely responsible for her siblings: Ha Thi Hoa, 12, Ha Van Tho, 9, and Ha Thi Van, 5.
She said local authorities and donors had provided some assistance, but long-term support from the community would be crucial to ensure the children can continue their education and avoid falling into extreme hardship.
If you can help, send through:
1.Code 5905: Ha Thi My Huong
Address: 142 A, Tan Da Village, Tan Hoi Commune, Lam Dong Province.
2. Dantri/Dtinews Newspaper
Email: nhanai@dantri.com.vn
No. 2/48 Giang Vo Str., Giang Vo Ward, Hanoi
Tel: 024-3736-6491. Hotline: 0973-567-567
3. Dantri/Dtinews' banking accounts
* Vietnam Dong Account information at Vietcombank:
Account name: Bao Dan tri
Account number: 1017378606
Bank name: THE BANK FOR FOREIGN TRADE OF VIETNAM- Thanh Cong Branch:
* US Dollar Account information at Vietcombank:
Account Name: Bao Dan tri
Account Number: 1017780241; Swift Code: BFTV VNVX 045
Bank Name: THE BANK FOR FOREIGN TRADE OF VIETNAM (VietComBank)
*EUR Account information at Vietcombank:
Account Name: Bao Dan tri
Account Number: 1022601465; Swift Code: BFTV VNVX 045
Bank Name: BANK FOR FOREIGN TRADE OF VIETNAM (Vietcombank)
* Vietnam Dong Account information at Vietinbank:
Account name: Bao Dan tri
Account number: 126000081304
Bank name: Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade-Hoan Kiem Branch
* Vietnam Dong Account at Vietnam Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV):
Account name: Bao Dan tri
Account number: 26110002631994
Bank name: BIDV, Trang An branch
* Vietnam Dong Account information at MB Bank:
Account name: Bao Dan tri
Account number: 0231195149383
Bank name: MILITARY COMMERCIAL JOINT STOCK BANK - Thai Thinh Branch
* Vietnam Dong Account information at Agribank:
Account name: Bao Dan tri
Account number: 1400206035022
Bank name: Agribank, Lang Ha Branch
* Vietnam Dong Account at Saigon-Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB)
- Account name: Bao Dan tri
- Account number: 1017589681
Bank name: SHB, Hanoi branch
* Vietnam Dong Account at Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (ACB)
Account name: Bao Dan tri
Account number: 333556688888
Bank name: ACB, Dong Do branch
4. Dantri/Dtinews' HCM City office
No. 51-53, Vo Van Tan Street, Xuan Hoa Ward, HCM City
Hotline: 0974-567-567
Email: info@dantri.com.vn
