The difficult family situation of the widow who picked up 400 million VND worth of property and returned it to the owner.

Despite her difficult circumstances and being a single mother raising three young children, a woman in Ninh Thuan returned a large sum of money to its rightful owner after finding it.

Ms. Vo Thi Ngoc Mai (in white shirt) returns lost property to Ms. Tran Dang Hoai Nhien - Photo: Ninh Thuan Police

The kind act of Ms. Vo Thi Ngoc Mai (Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province) helps spread love and amplify a meaningful story in everyday life.

The poor woman from Ninh Thuan did not take advantage of found money.

On the afternoon of February 4th, we arrived at Truong Tho village (Phuoc Hau commune, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province). Everyone knew the way to Mrs. Vo Thi Ngoc Mai's house. Over the past few days, villagers have been spreading the word about her admirable act of returning lost property to its owner.

Upon entering the house, we were surprised to find that although it was a newly built, spacious single-story house, the interior felt incredibly out of place, consisting only of four walls and a few old pieces of furniture.

We were greeted by Bui Vo Thao Nhi (17 years old, Mrs. Mai's eldest daughter). Nhi said that the new house was built by her parents over three years ago, after they saved up money. Not long after it was finished, her father passed away due to a serious illness.

"For the past two years, my mother has had to struggle alone, doing all kinds of farm work and odd jobs to support the three of us sisters' education and shoulder the debt from building our house that we haven't fully paid off yet," Nhi recounted, weeping.

Wiping away her tears, Nhi led us to the apple orchard, where Mrs. Vo Thi Ngoc Mai was busy pruning branches to spray pesticides. This was also where Mrs. Mai had found a wallet containing money and gold worth over 400 million VND that its owner had dropped.

Cash and gold worth over 400 million VND were returned to their owner - Photo: Ninh Thuan Police

Earlier, on the evening of February 2nd (the 5th day of the first lunar month), after tending to her apple orchard, Mrs. Mai discovered a black wallet near where she parked her car, close to the roadside. Seeing that it contained valuables, she waited for a long time hoping the owner would return to retrieve it.

"I kept the wallet where I found it, so I left it in the apple orchard to report to the authorities later. Luckily, the owner was also contacting me to get it back, so I led everyone up to the orchard to retrieve the wallet and return it," Mrs. Mai recounted.

This woman, who is about to turn 50, said that although her family is struggling financially, with their income coming only from a ^1,000m² apple orchard and her wages from odd jobs, she always tries to return lost items to their owners.

According to Ms. Mai, this is the third time she has found lost items. Previously, she also found a wallet and a gold necklace, but she was able to return them to their owners in time.

"At times like that, I simply think that if it's not my money, I shouldn't be greedy and must return it to the person who lost it, because the person who lost it must be very distressed," said Mrs. Mai.

Ms. Tran Dang Hoai Nhien (31 years old, residing in Truong Tho village, Phuoc Hau commune), who lost her wallet containing valuables, expressed her gratitude for Ms. Mai's act of returning the lost property to its owner.

"I thought I had lost a large sum of money, but luckily I got it back. I don't know what more to say than to express my sincere gratitude to Ms. Vo Thi Ngoc Mai, a person with an incredibly noble act," said Ms. Nhien.

Shining examples spread love.

Currently, Mrs. Mai's family is facing great difficulties; she is the primary breadwinner supporting her three children's education. - Photo: AN ANH

Mr. Phuong, a neighbor of Mrs. Mai, said that she lived harmoniously and cheerfully with everyone throughout the year, so everyone liked her. Her husband passed away, leaving behind three young children and a difficult family situation. She struggled alone to ensure her three daughters could go to school (currently, the eldest is in 11th grade, and the youngest is in 4th grade).

"Hearing that she found a large sum of money but returned it to the owner, I admire Mrs. Mai's character. Her actions are also a shining example for her children and everyone else to follow," said Mr. Phuong.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online , Mr. Nguyen Nhu Hung Triet, vice chairman of the People's Committee of Phuoc Hau commune, said that Mrs. Mai and her family have always complied well with local regulations, lived harmoniously, and often helped others. Despite her difficult circumstances, her case has not been classified as poor or near-poor.

"Ms. Mai's act of returning lost items to their owners has earned her admiration from many. This is also a meaningful deed with profound humanitarian value, helping to spread good stories and beautiful actions for local people to learn from and emulate," Mr. Triet said.

As reported by Tuoi Tre Online , on the evening of February 2nd, the Phuoc Hau Commune Police received a report from Ms. Tran Dang Hoai Nhien (31 years old, residing in Truong Tho village, Phuoc Hau commune) about the loss of a black wallet containing cash and gold worth over 400 million VND.

Through the police information system, Ms. Vo Thi Ngoc Mai (49 years old, residing in Truong Tho village) contacted the commune police to hand over the found property and return it to its rightful owner that same night.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/gia-canh-kho-khan-cua-nguoi-phu-nu-goa-bua-nhat-tai-san-400-trieu-dong-tra-lai-nguoi-danh-mat-20250205123926092.htm