Help a couple carry their newborn child by motorbike back to their hometown in Nghe An

On the afternoon of July 31, speaking by phone, Mr. Xong Ba Xo (29 years old, Pha Lom village, Tam Hop commune, Tuong Duong district) said that his family was being driven by some volunteers from Da Nang back to their hometown. "This time we're going back to our hometown. We don't dare go anywhere else," Xo said. It is expected that he and his wife will arrive home tonight.

Xo said that not long ago, he and his wife started working as factory workers at a factory in Binh Duong. However, the company has been closed for nearly 2 months, leaving them broke. Last month, the couple planned to return to their hometown, but because his wife was pregnant and about to give birth, they had to stay. On July 21, his wife gave birth to a 2.6kg baby boy. The whole family stayed in the hospital for 4 days before being discharged.

Mr. Xong Ba Xo and his wife were taken by car to return home. Photo: Vuong Tran

Xo said that although his child was still young, his savings had run out, and seeing other workers from his hometown flocking back to their hometowns to avoid the epidemic, he and his wife took a risk. Three days ago, Xo brought a few personal belongings, and his wife wrapped their one-week-old child in a towel and set off for their hometown by motorbike. There were more than 50 other fellow countrymen in the group, including his brother and sister-in-law. However, on the way home, Xo's car broke down several times, and his child was still young, so he fell behind and lost his siblings.

The newborn child must follow his parents through the stormy journey. Photo: Vuong Tran

Having received information about a couple bringing their young child back to their hometown by motorbike, a volunteer group in Da Nang City organized to intercept the repatriation convoy when it arrived in the city. By that time, Xo and his wife and child had traveled nearly 1,000 km. These people contributed money to rent a motorbike and also gave Xo 3 million VND for travel expenses. Since there was still room on the motorbike, they arranged to go with a family with 2 small children. The group also took Xo's broken motorbike to be repaired.