If you pause for a moment to observe and listen, you will find that amidst those songs, there is a voice not for themselves, but for the unfortunate, the homeless... of the "Singing for Life" volunteer group. That voice comes from civil servants, public employees, and freelance workers... Their commonality is a heart filled with empathy and compassion; they use their songs to express gratitude for life, bringing the money they earn from street vending to those less fortunate.
With the initial idea of helping those in need and maintaining this activity sustainably, instead of forming a group to solicit donations from everyone, the two friends Bui Quang Anh and Phan Cong Thien Vu came up with a plan to proactively generate funds through their own labor. Friends who had free time could donate some of their evenings to go out together to the streets, singing and selling goods. True to their word, Vu and Quang Anh used their own money to buy a portable speaker. Then friends contributed more money to buy microphones, supplies, snacks, and so on.
And from the beginning of 2019, in the heart of the city, songs of love began a journey of connecting compassionate hands.
At six o'clock in the evening, rain or shine, the group of friends would gather at restaurants, bringing their songs to tourists. Initially, the group faced numerous difficulties. Even though Quang Anh proactively asked for permission and explained the group's purpose before singing, they still encountered suspicious glances and rejection from tourists and restaurant owners. It was difficult to gain the trust of strangers simply because you were wearing a suit before you had a chance to shed your office attire.
In an era where truth and falsehood are intertwined, people don't fear losing a few tens of thousands of dong buying candy, but rather the loss of trust, the erosion of emotions, and the increase in suspicion after their kindness and enthusiasm are exploited. Identifying the truth requires a great deal of time. In the brief moments of eating and relaxing, few have the patience to understand. Being ignored and rejected happens all the time. The group of friends themselves face difficulties confronting their own egos when confronted by tourists' gazes in such situations. But after each night, counting the coins earned from selling candy and thinking about the warm, encouraging glances of strangers, and about the weekends when those in need received extra support like cartons of milk and bags of rice, the group perseveres and encourages each other. Especially, despite their busy schedules, Quang Anh and Thien Vu are always there.
Handing over a charitable house to the family of Mr. K Xinh (Lac Xuan, Don Duong)
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR
Gradually, the shops and restaurants the group frequented also understood and knew about it, because in the digital age, finding and identifying personal information is not difficult. Especially Quang Anh, who is the manager of 24h Real Estate Company, was no stranger to businesses in the city. Besides Quang Anh, there was also Thanh Quang (police officer), Dang Nhat (court), the staff of Minh Tam Notary Office, the couple Linh and Bao, Dat… Everyone's enthusiasm was rewarded. The shops and restaurants themselves became supporters, sponsoring and encouraging customers to buy from the group, especially Ms. Nhu (owner of Ut Nhu seafood restaurant).
Every Friday afternoon, representatives from the group contact nurses and doctors at Lam Dong Provincial General Hospital, Lam Dong Provincial Children's Hospital, Lam Dong Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital, etc., to find 20 needy patients and provide each with 300,000 VND. On Saturday noon, after finishing their work at the office, the group visits the patients, giving them the donation and offering encouragement to help them overcome difficulties and instill in them the belief that there is still much love and support from strangers around them.
The group's journey of love received encouragement from the Da Lat City Red Cross Society. On November 6, 2019, the Da Lat City Red Cross Society awarded Decision 117/QD-CTD recognizing the "Singing for Life" volunteer group as a social activity group operating in Da Lat City, contributing humanitarian funds to support the sick, the poor, orphans, and other disadvantaged individuals in the province.
Since receiving official recognition, the group's activities have become more successful. Due to its open nature, the number of members has grown daily. In addition to the regular distribution of 20 gift packages, the group also proactively reaches out to elderly people, those living alone, and orphans each week, providing them with monthly support of 1,500,000 VND and essential supplies.
Each member of the group is an extension of charitable hearts reaching out to those in difficult circumstances. Whenever they hear about unfortunate individuals struggling for survival, the group immediately provides support, sharing, and encouragement to impoverished patients. During the Lunar New Year of the Rat, group members went to Dam Rong to distribute 210 gift packages (totaling 82,000,000 VND) to needy people; two charitable truck trips carrying food and essential goods to support the central region (in 2020); and handing over a house of compassion to the family of Mr. K Xinh (Lac Xuan - Don Duong)...
Standing together with Central Vietnam
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR
The group of friends silently and enthusiastically encouraged each other to maintain and expand their activities, believing that this was a way to repay life for giving them a healthy body to work, a place to shelter from the sun and rain, a job to do, and parents to love... They did whatever they could for each other in life, without worrying about winning or losing.
In Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev's story "The Beggar," which we have all read when teaching our children, we are reminded that love and kindness sometimes require not only giving someone material things, but more importantly, a compassionate heart, understanding, sharing, and empathy.
For large companies, businesses, and well-off individuals, donating several hundred million dong annually to underprivileged people is not uncommon, unusual, or extravagant. However, the way the "Singing for Life" charity group operates contributes to extending a helping hand, spreading and inspiring the spirit of mutual support. From an initial 10 members, the group now has over 500 people.
Volunteer group at Nguyên Không Monastery - Lục Hòa Orphanage
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR
On a broader scale, spending thirty or fifty thousand dong on candy, leaving a loving emoji, or showing trust in a group activity post are all indirect ways to encourage and support others. Volunteer work doesn't need to discriminate between rich and poor, it doesn't require a lot of money ; all it takes is a kind heart, generosity, empathy, and understanding. Anyone can contribute to spreading love.
Each of us, too, can do good deeds and live beautifully; it's not something far-fetched. You can bend down to pick up a trash bag someone threw in the street, step aside to let an ambulance get to the hospital faster, offer a warm smile to a stranger, listen to each other, give each other a little trust, let go of negative emotions… it's all simple, but perhaps these small actions are like warm rays of sunshine bringing spring to those around you. When there is enough love in your heart, all boundaries will naturally disappear…
The 5th "Living Beautifully" writing contest was organized to encourage people to write about noble acts that have helped individuals or communities. This year, the contest focuses on praising individuals or groups who have performed acts of kindness, bringing hope to those in difficult circumstances.
A highlight is the new environmental award category, which honors works that inspire and encourage action for a green and clean living environment. Through this, the organizers hope to raise community awareness in protecting the planet for future generations.
The competition features diverse categories and prize structures, including:
Article categories: Essays, reports, notes, or short stories, not exceeding 1,600 words for essays and 2,500 words for short stories.
Feature articles, reports, and notes:
- 1st prize: 30,000,000 VND
- 2 second prizes: 15,000,000 VND
- 3 third prizes: 10,000,000 VND
- 5 consolation prizes: 3,000,000 VND
Short story:
- 1st prize: 30,000,000 VND
- 1 second prize: 20,000,000 VND
- 2 third prizes: 10,000,000 VND
- 4 consolation prizes: 5,000,000 VND
Photo category: Submit a set of at least 5 photos related to volunteer work or environmental protection, along with the title of the photo set and a short description.
- 1st prize: 10,000,000 VND
- 1 second prize: 5,000,000 VND
- 1 third prize: 3,000,000 VND
- 5 consolation prizes: 2,000,000 VND each
Prize for the Most Popular Song: 5,000,000 VND
Prize for an outstanding essay on the topic of the environment: 5,000,000 VND
Honored Person Award: 30,000,000 VND
The deadline for submitting entries is October 16, 2025. Entries will be judged in a preliminary and final round by a panel of renowned judges. The organizers will announce the winners on the "Living Beautifully" special page. See the detailed rules at thanhnien.vn .
Organizing Committee of the "Living Beautifully" Contest
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tieng-hat-noi-mien-yeu-thuong-185251004152604985.htm
Comment (0)