A lifeline for the homeless elderly.

After graduating with a degree in tourism , young Nguyen Dac Quy moved to Ho Chi Minh City with ambitions to start his career. Before he could settle down, the city hit the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing him to prioritize his dream of working on the front lines: dispensing medicine and caring for patients at Saigon General Hospital. Those three months, "both harsh and sacred," helped him understand the value of sharing and compassion.

After the pandemic subsided, he volunteered to care for the elderly at the "Crescent Moon Inn" shelter (formerly District 8). With his lively demeanor and sense of humor, Mr. Quy quickly became a "spiritual vaccine," bridging the age gap for the elderly residents. "Every time I come back from the market, the elderly come out to greet me, some carrying the groceries, others watching my motorbike. I don't know when it started, but I consider this place a family, a place where grandparents wait for me and love me sincerely," he said.

Mr. Nguyen Dac Quy (seated) with his fellow volunteers at the "Saigon Tolerance" guesthouse.

After four months of working together, Mr. Do Luong Dai Nam, the founder of the social enterprise Crescent Moon (VTK), invited him to stay and work alongside him. Initially, it was for work, but for Quy, it was an opportunity to continue living out his mission of sharing.

Realizing that the number of elderly people seeking shelter was increasing while the home only had 12 beds, Quy and his team decided to expand the model. In 2022, the "Saigon Compassionate" guesthouse was established, inheriting the model of "rescuing and caring for the homeless" with the spirit of "being compassionate towards those who come to stay, and receiving compassion in return from the community." Continuing this journey of compassion, imbued with kindness and humanity, just like the land and people of this place.

Mr. Nguyen Dac Quy took the old man back to the guesthouse when he realized the old man needed a place to stay.

He confided, "The guesthouse welcomes elderly people aged 60 to 75, who have no relatives and no place to live – a group of people who haven't received social welfare support..." Here, many of them are still healthy and able to work, so some sell lottery tickets, drive motorbike taxis, or help sell pomelos to earn income and fund the guesthouse's operation. However, the most impressive thing is that the elderly live together in a spirit of harmony and mutual support: the healthy help the weaker ones, cooking and cleaning together like one big family. The small guesthouse is always full of life: Each elderly person has their own bed and wardrobe, the men's and women's areas are separate, and in the evenings they gather to watch TV, their laughter dispelling the loneliness of old age.

Ms. Bui Thi Khanh, who has lived here for four years, said: "Before, I used to sleep on the streets, it was so hard. Thanks to Mr. Quy and the benefactors, I now have a place to live." Mr. Tran Van Dau, the manager of the souvenir shop, added: "I consider this place my family, not just a guesthouse. Here, everyone is an old friend in the same situation, so I'm eager to be with them for the rest of my life."

Mr. Nguyen Dac Quy takes care of an elderly woman at the Dieu Phap shelter ( Ho Chi Minh City) as part of the "Another Full Meal - An More Smile" program.

Extending the spirit of tolerance

Not stopping there, every Saturday evening, Mr. Quy and his volunteers carry out the "Saturday Night Moon" program. Between 30 and 50 young people, after school and work, distribute welfare gifts (cakes, milk, warm/raincoats, etc.) and walk along the streets to hand out gifts to elderly homeless people. At the same time, they identify those elderly people who wish to find shelter.

Those who are still healthy are provided with accommodation and livelihood support, while those who are no longer able to work are transferred to affiliated shelters in Tay Ninh and Dong Nai provinces . Currently, the shelters in the network are caring for nearly 300 elderly people. Every weekend, he takes turns visiting each location to organize the "Another Full Meal - An More Smile" program, aiming to help the elderly enjoy good food, haircuts, and entertainment.

Every Lunar New Year, the guesthouse bustles with joyful celebrations. The elderly residents are honored with birthday greetings in the warm atmosphere of a large family gathering. Witnessing the sparkling eyes and laughter, everyone feels happy too. In December 2025, the guesthouse will hold a mass wedding ceremony for three couples currently residing there. No lavish wedding dresses, no elaborate rituals, just clasped hands and eyes filled with faith in happiness. For those who have passed away, the guesthouse takes care of the funeral arrangements and holds a collective memorial service on the 30th day of the 7th lunar month...

Mr. Nguyen Dac Quy participates in supporting disadvantaged people.

For the past four years, people have become familiar with the image of him and his group of volunteers in their bright yellow shirts roaming throughout Saigon. They are like little moons, quietly warming the lives of the less fortunate, helping the elderly find shelter and experience love once more. From a small initial group, Nguyen Dac Quy's community now has over 2,000 volunteers. He has built a professional operating model: uniforms, attendance tracking, and recorded volunteer hours. Those who accumulate more than 30 hours per year are eligible to participate in life skills and social work skills classes. Because, according to him: "Giving also needs to be done the right way so that kindness can spread sustainably."

In May 2024, he launched a project to support elderly people struggling to make a living. Each elderly person receives health insurance, a food ration book for 12 months, and one paid day off per month (equivalent to one day's salary or income recorded on their tax return). It's a small gift to help them rest and breathe amidst their relentless struggle for survival. And especially on the 15th day of the lunar month, the elderly come to the guesthouse to receive rice and essential food items. At the same time, he also invited a team of five doctors to provide free medical examinations, treatment, and medication for them... To date, 500 elderly people in Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh have received gifts from this project.

In a conversation with us, Mr. Khac Tri (from Ho Chi Minh City) confided: “I am very happy to receive support from Quy and the guesthouse every month. Thanks to the rice ration book, I have one less worry, and I feel warmer at night.” Ms. Hong, who is visually impaired, added: “Every month, I receive the love and care from the guesthouse. This is a great comfort to me.”

Following the devastating Typhoon Matmo in 2025, Mr. Quy personally led a convoy, traveling thousands of kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City to Thai Nguyen, carrying 80 tons of emergency relief supplies donated by businesses and philanthropists. In the heart of the flooded area, he and his team went to each family, not only providing essential supplies but also distributing an additional 200 rice ration books to residents in the flood-stricken region.

Mr. Nguyen Dac Quy carries a relief box to support people in flood-affected areas. Photo provided by the subject.

Immediately afterwards, upon hearing that Hue City was severely flooded, he put on a life jacket and went to provide relief along with 2 tons of rice and 1,000 boxes of "social welfare" (including food, medicine, and many other necessities) donated by philanthropists. Mr. Quy recounted: "When I arrived at Dong Lam village, Phong Dien town (now Phong Thai ward, Hue City) to provide assistance, an elderly woman was so moved that she hugged me tightly and repeatedly bowed in gratitude. It made my heart race, and it motivated me to strive to contribute more to the community..."

The tears and embraces of the people, especially the elderly, became an inexhaustible source of fuel for the young man's mission. I affectionately call him "the messenger of tolerant Saigon." Because amidst the hustle and bustle of life, when many are preoccupied with chasing fame and fortune, there is still a segment of young people who live slowly and deeply.

Mr. Nguyen Dac Quy silently extended a helping hand in the bustling city. For the past four years, his compassion has not only provided meals and clothing to those in need, but has also persistently awakened the feeling of being loved in others. With Mr. Quy and his colleagues, wrinkled hands are intertwined, and in dim eyes, hope gently shines...!

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-17/anh-chu-quan-tro-cua-cac-cu-gia-1037725