A male student collects scrap metal with his mother every night, nurturing his dream of entering Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

According to VietNamNet reporters, the male student in the photo is Doan Dinh Phuc - a 12A10 student at Phan Huy Chu High School (Quoc Oai District, Hanoi ). Phuc currently lives with his mother in Dinh To residential group (Quoc Oai Town, Quoc Oai District, Hanoi).

The image of Phuc collecting scrap metal at night was shared on social networks. Photo: Facebook

Phuc has a very special situation. His father passed away early, his mother is 57 years old and has had heart disease for many years but has not dared to seek treatment for fear of the cost. The income to cover the living expenses of Phuc and his mother is the bundles of bamboo that his mother splits every day and sells to flower tying companies to earn tens of thousands of dong. In the evening, Phuc's mother collects scrap metal to sell to earn more money to take care of her son who is preparing to enter university. Collecting scrap metal with his mother is Phuc's regular nightly job.

Phuc and her son outside the shabby house in Dinh To residential group (Quoc Oai town, Quoc Oai district, Hanoi). Photo: Hoang Thanh

When asked if he felt embarrassed about collecting scrap metal if his classmates found out, Phuc just smiled and said that it was a legitimate job to earn extra income and he was proud to be able to help his mother.

“I know my mother has high hopes for me, so I dare not neglect my studies. During the day, I study at school, and at night, around 9 p.m. I finish my homework and then ride my bike to find my mother. I am not an excellent student, but I always try my best every day to have the opportunity to study Automotive Engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology,” Phuc confided.

The simple kitchen is neatly arranged by Phuc and her mother. Photo: Hoang Thanh

That is the dream, but when thinking about the high tuition and living expenses in the city, Phuc's eyes were full of worry: "I don't know what the future will be like, there will definitely be many difficulties, I have also thought about working part-time in the city to cover my own tuition fees and not want to be a burden to my mother."

Phuc said that what he fears most is when his mother gets sick. Seeing her lying in bed in pain, he feels fear and helplessness. Phuc wishes he could grow up quickly and mature early to help his mother more, so that she can have the opportunity to go to the hospital to get her heart disease examined and treated.

Despite her illness, Phuc's mother always tries her best every day for her son. Photo by Hoang Thanh

Mrs. Ta Thi Chau - Phuc's mother confided: "Phuc is the only hope of my life, so even though he is sick, I still try my best to take care of him. What mother wants her child to go collect scrap metal with her? Every time I see my child in a loose-fitting uniform, quietly walking in the alleys to collect plastic bottles and scrap paper, my heart aches.

I told my son, 'Stay home and focus on studying tonight, I can go collect scrap metal by myself', but he loved his mother so much that after finishing school, he would ride his bike to find her. Wherever he saw me, he would help his mother pick up the bag of scrap metal. Sometimes, he would go with me to pick up a few more bottles and weigh scrap paper. On the days when I was sick and lying at home, he would ride his bike alone. Thinking about that scene, I burst into tears because I felt sorry for him.

In the dilapidated house, Phuc and his mother have nothing but bags of bottles and scrap paper ready to be sold. These are the things that help Phuc and his mother make ends meet and motivate him to pursue his dream of going to university.

Talking to VietNamNet reporter, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan - Principal of Phan Huy Chu High School (Quoc Oai) said: "Phuc is a student from a near-poor household of the school, he is very obedient and studious. The school also pays attention to creating conditions to help him have the motivation to excel in his studies. In class, he is assessed by teachers as having good academic ability and is loved by his friends".

The old, simple tiled house of Phuc and her mother. Photo: Hoang Thanh

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim An, Phuc's homeroom teacher during his final years of secondary school at Quoc Oai town secondary school, shared: "Phuc is a hard-working, obedient boy who especially loves his mother and knows how to share work with her. My house is not far from his house, so I sometimes stop by to visit the mother and son. Phuc's house is 'lost' and hidden in Quoc Oai town. Every time it rains heavily, the water floods into the house. If I want to bring my student some things, I have to take off my sandals and roll up my pants to my knees to get in."

Teacher Kim Anh believes that with extraordinary determination, the young student will overcome difficult circumstances, become more mature and independent, soon reach his dream of entering university and be a solid support for his mother.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Thiet - Party cell secretary and head of Dinh To residential group (Quoc Oai town) said that Phuc's family is a near-poor household, so recently the residential group also mobilized people in the group to support 15 million VND. In addition, some families near his house also directly brought rice and fish sauce to share with Phuc and her mother. "In general, we all brought whatever we had, hoping that Phuc and her mother would have less hardship," said Mr. Thiet.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nam-sinh-nhat-ve-chai-cung-me-moi-toi-nuoi-uoc-mo-vao-dai-hoc-bach-khoa-ha-noi-2387255.html