111-year-old woman in Nghe An and her countless children and grandchildren

(Baonghean.vn) - Born in 1906, Mrs. Luong Thi Loi became one of the oldest people still living in Nghe An.

Mrs. Lo Thi Luyen, the fourth child of Mr. Loi, always stays by her mother's side when she is sick. Photo: Ho Phuong.

Ms. Luong Thi Loi lives in Tung Huong village, Tam Quang commune, Tuong Duong district (Nghe An). According to her family, Ms. Loi was born in 1906 and is currently living with her 6th son, Mr. La Quang Dao, who is 60 years old. Mr. Dao said that his family members originally had the surname Lo, but because when they were young, their parents adopted a person with the surname La, so they took on their adoptive father's surname. Mr. Dao also said that Ms. Loi's health is currently weak and she cannot sit up by herself, although she can still hear and understand what people say to her. Her 4th daughter, Ms. Lo Thi Luyen, often helps her.

This year, 31 years old, Mr. La Van Man is the grandson of Mrs. Loi and is currently taking care of the oldest grandmother in Tuong Duong district with his father. Mr. Man said: From May 26, 2017, Mrs. Loi started to get sick. "Before she got sick, my grandmother could take care of everything, including moving around and eating. Her eyesight was dim, but her hearing was very good."

Ms. Loi said that her family's roots are in Kham Cot district, Bolikhamxay province (Laos). At the age of 32, she took her 3 children, 1 girl and 2 boys, to escape to Vietnam. "My husband became addicted to drugs, and I don't know where he went," Ms. Loi said about the reason for moving to live in the "Kinh people's village" (ie Vietnam). Ms. Loi later married a Thai man and has lived in Tung Huong village until now.

At 111 years old this year, Mr. Loi is one of the oldest people still living in Nghe An.

Through two marriages, Mr. Loi gave birth to 12 children, including 6 boys and 6 girls. Currently, 7 are still alive, 5 have passed away, including his eldest son, Mr. Lo Thanh Vinh, who was recognized as a martyr in May 2017 after 49 years of military service. Mr. Loi's oldest living child is Ms. Lo Thi Cuc (born in 1937), residing in Lien Huong village, Tam Quang commune. His youngest daughter was born in 1964.

Mrs. Loi's husband died in 1980, and in 1994, Mrs. Loi became blind, and from then on her eyes could no longer see clearly. "Since then, her ears have helped my mother recognize people by their voices," said Mrs. Luyen.

With a large family, Mr. Loi currently cannot remember how many children and grandchildren he has. After nearly half an hour of listing, Mrs. Luyen said that Mr. Loi has over 50 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mr. Loi's youngest grandchild is Mr. La Van Man's daughter, who is just 3 months old. "Every time we have a family reunion, the children and grandchildren fill the house," said Mr. Man.

Grandson and great-grandson of Mr. Loi. Photo by Huu Vi

Mr. Loi has two sons who joined the army. Mr. Lo Thanh Vinh was born in 1942, joined the army in 1965, and died in the Mau Than campaign (1968) in the Thua Thien - Hue battlefield. However, it was nearly 50 years later that he was recognized as a martyr. Mr. Loi said that he had another son, Lo Van Ba, who participated in the fight against Pol Pot in Cambodia (1978 - 1979), but the information is currently unknown./.

Huu Vi - Ho Phuong