Because youth only comes once.

On a winter afternoon just before Tet (Lunar New Year), I picked up the phone and called Pham Hoai Phuong, Chairman of the Otofun Thai Nguyen Association, to arrange a meeting to write an article. After hearing my request, his warm male voice said, "I haven't done anything..." Phuong said that, but I knew that the work Phuong and the Otofun Association had quietly done over the years had become a beautiful symbol of compassion.

Mr. Pham Hoai Phuong during his rescue and relief trips to assist people in flood-affected areas. Photo: VNA

"Lighting fires" in flood-affected areas

"Why, out of so many people, did you choose me?" Phuong asked me as a greeting the moment we first met in her small house in Block 108, Phan Dinh Phung Ward. It's true that there are many exemplary individuals worthy of recognition, but Phuong's actions and those of the Otofun Association (established in 2010) always inspire people to want to do good deeds.

For many years, Phuong, along with the Otofun Association and numerous charitable groups, has traveled thousands of kilometers to severely flooded areas across the country to help people. To improve the effectiveness of disaster relief, in October 2021, the Otofun Association established a Rapid Response Vehicle Team under the Provincial Youth Union, consisting of 16 members. Since then, whenever a natural disaster occurs, whether in Central Vietnam, the mountainous regions of Northern Vietnam, or the remote plains, Phuong's team is always present with vehicles loaded with supplies.

Our story goes back to October 2025, when Typhoon No. 11 struck, submerging Thai Nguyen in floodwaters. While many people rushed to protect their property and families, Phuong went back to the flooded areas of the province to provide relief to the people.

During her relief efforts, Phuong received news that her house had been severely flooded, and all her belongings were badly damaged. Not letting personal losses deter her, after temporarily dealing with the aftermath at home, Phuong mobilized forces, collected donations, and launched additional relief teams to reach isolated areas later than planned.

Upon receiving news of severe flooding in Hue , on the night of October 27, 2025, Phuong's rapid response team, carrying three motorboats, traveled through the night to Hue. I suddenly remembered the image of the Thai Nguyen rescue team from Hue that was shared on social media, moving millions of people.

It was the moment when a mother and daughter in downtown Hue clung tightly to a small electric pole amidst the floodwaters, and were rescued safely by Phuong and her team; it was the image of Phuong and her teammates stringing ropes to guide people across the flood.

At that time, the online community called them "heroes." But Phuong and the team members didn't accept that title; instead, they shared the same thought: "There are many places where people are even more disadvantaged than us. Helping others is a way to become stronger in adversity."

"Sowing the seeds of spring" in the highlands.

Not only do they "light the fire" in flood-stricken areas, but every year, as Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, Phuong and the members of the Otofun Club prepare for Tet for the people in the highlands. Phuong gently explained: "In 2009, before the Otofun Club was established, our group of car enthusiasts went on road trips in the highlands."

During those trips, the group encountered many difficult situations, which gave them the idea to bring spring to the villages. The first program was implemented in Hoa Binh commune, Dong Hy district (formerly). Since then, for the past 15 years, "Spring in the Highlands" has become a brand of the Otofun Association. Each year, the program is implemented in a new village location.

During the program, the delegation not only brought warm blankets, winter coats, banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), sticky rice, school supplies, toys, and cultural performances, but also brought faith and hope to the people.

When I showed her the photos from the 2026 Spring Festival in the Highlands held in Cho Moi on January 24th, Phuong suddenly said: "I'm planning to close out the Spring Festival in the Highlands to start a new project." Then, Phuong enthusiastically outlined: "The Otofun Association will collaborate with schools to organize experiential learning for students in disadvantaged areas. Through this, we aim to instill in them a love for their homeland and a spirit of mutual support and compassion for the community…"

Before saying goodbye, Phuong told me about many of the Otofun Club's plans for the Year of the Horse. Because youth only comes once, Phuong will strive to do good things for the community while she still has the energy, and I believe those plans will come true.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202602/vi-thanh-xuan-chi-den-mot-lan-01a3ac7/