The traveller, Kasia Sciborska, 24, had been waiting along National Highway 1A in Ha Tinh, holding a sign as she tried to reach the neighbouring Quang Tri Province to meet a friend.
Nguyen Khac Ngoc, 42, a driving instructor at a local school, spotted her near a no stopping zone under intense heat and stopped to help. Using a translation app, he first suggested taking her to a bus station, but learned the next coach would not depart until late at night.
Unwilling to leave her stranded, Ngoc offered to drive her all the way to Quang Tri.
“Both of us were cautious at first,” he said, citing concerns over safety and luggage. “But we gradually trusted each other and decided to continue the journey.”
During the trip, the pair grew more at ease. Passing through Quang Binh, Ngoc pointed out the unesco listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, where they briefly stopped for photos.
At lunchtime, Sciborska offered to pay and handed over VND 40,000 (approximately USD 1.60), unfamiliar with local denominations. Ngoc declined and covered the meal himself. She later offered VND 400,000 (approximately USD 16), which he also refused, joking it would not cover fuel for part of the journey.
After around eight hours on the road, Ngoc safely brought her to Quang Tri at about 5 pm, where she reunited with her friend Khanh Duy, a fourth year medical student in Hue.
The student said he had initially worried the situation might be a scam and advised her to travel in stages, but she chose to trust the driver’s kindness.
He later shared the story on social media to highlight acts of goodwill, where it quickly drew widespread attention, praise and some scepticism.
Ngoc downplayed his actions, saying he simply helped within his means and did not expect anything in return.