Fruit seller in Phu Quoc refuses to accept $500 as thanks from tourist

(NLDO) - After helping a Korean tourist's family find a lost old lady, a fruit seller in Phu Quoc resolutely refused to accept any money as thanks.

In recent days, social networks have been spreading a clip recording the image of a fruit seller in Phu Quoc special economic zone, An Giang province, resolutely refusing to accept 500 USD from a Korean tourist after helping to find a lost relative. The online community has not spared praise for this man's good deed.

A leader of Phu Quoc special economic zone confirmed that the above incident occurred in the area on the evening of November 2.

The incident of a fruit seller refusing to accept money from tourists has caused a "storm on the internet".

According to initial information, at around 6 p.m. on November 2, Mr. Hoang Phuong - owner of Thao Quyen fruit shop on Tran Hung Dao street, Phu Quoc special economic zone - was sitting in front of his house when a male Korean tourist ran to him, asking for help.

The Korean tourist said that he and his family were traveling to Phu Quoc. While the group was having fun at the Long Beach Mart area, they did not see his mother. The family was very worried because the old lady had temporary memory loss and might not remember the way home.

Mr. Phuong refused to accept thank you money from Korean tourists (photo cut from clip)

After seeing the photo of the old woman provided by his son, Mr. Phuong immediately checked the fruit shop's camera. Discovering that the old woman had just passed by the shop, he immediately took the motorbike to take the Korean customer to look for his mother, and at the same time posted the information on a group in Phu Quoc, asking for the community's support.

After many hours of searching, Mr. Phuong and the Korean guest found the old woman walking on the street with a cane.

To express his gratitude, the Korean tourist repeatedly pushed 500 USD into Mr. Phuong’s hand, but he firmly refused. Unable to force him to accept the money, the Korean tourist and his relatives bowed and expressed their gratitude.

Mr. Phuong's actions have received endless praise from the online community. Sharing about this, Mr. Phuong confided: "Helping someone in difficult times is the right thing to do, especially visitors from far away. I want tourists to understand that Phu Quoc people are friendly and enthusiastic, ready to support and help them."

In recent years, Phu Quoc has been a popular tourist destination for many Korean tourists. In the first 6 months of 2025, 725,114 Korean visitors arrived in Phu Quoc on 4,443 flights - an increase of more than 38% over the same period last year and ranked first among international visitors to the "pearl island".

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nguoi-dan-ong-ban-trai-cay-o-phu-quoc-tu-choi-nhan-500-usd-cam-on-cua-du-khach-196251104131446756.htm