Mong Thi Ren, 78, from Luc Yen, has been raising her three grandchildren alone in difficult conditions after her son died and the children’s mother left the family.
At the end of 2025, Dantri published an article about the family’s situation, prompting readers and donors across Vietnam to contribute financial support.
A total of VND 214,624,966 (approximately USD 8,260) donated by readers and philanthropists was transferred directly to Ren’s personal bank account.
During a recent visit by Dantri reporters, one of the children, 14-year-old Tang Thi Khoi, said the family’s life had improved significantly.
“I’m very happy and grateful to Dantri readers for helping my family,” Khoi said. “Before, our meals were only vegetables and bamboo shoots from the forest. Now my grandmother has money to buy meat and fish so we can eat properly and continue going to school.”
Ren said she planned to use part of the donation to repair the family home while saving the remainder to support the children through high school.
However, financial pressure remains as the family still owes VND 68 million (approximately USD 2,620) in bank debt.
Ren said her greatest wish now was for her daughter-in-law to return so the family could reunite. She hopes to use part of the donated money to repay the loan before moving to live with her eldest son, leaving the house and farmland for her daughter-in-law and grandchildren.
Hearing her grandmother speak, Khoi became emotional and quietly said: “If my mother comes back, I want to live with her too.”
Dinh Khac Yen, Party Secretary of Luc Yen Commune, thanked Dantri and its readers for supporting disadvantaged families in the area.
“For many years, Dantri has helped vulnerable households here, especially after Typhoon Yagi,” Yen said. “Families who receive support are deeply encouraged. Local authorities will continue helping residents build long-term livelihoods through production and development programmes so they can achieve more stable lives.”