The man from Hue is eager to help others in Nghe An.
At the Hue Hometown Association in Nghe An, Phan Huu Tinh (born in 1979) is loved not only for his enthusiasm and energy in various activities, but also for his story of overcoming difficulties, his determination to succeed, and his kind heart, always putting others first.
The quietest person
During a trip to pay tribute to the heroes and martyrs who contributed to the revolution, along with Mr. Tinh's volunteer group, we witnessed and were truly impressed by his meticulousness and sense of responsibility.
The group departed from Vinh City to offer incense at the Vietnam-Laos International Martyrs' Cemetery. Because many lacked transportation, Mr. Tinh set off very early to meet everyone. At all destinations, he always arrived early to wait for others, ensuring no one had to wait for him, and always paid attention to the health and circumstances of each member to provide timely assistance. The following day, he was also the first to arrive to take on the tasks of transporting, loading, and distributing gifts to the wounded and sick soldiers…
For the past four years, Phan Huu Tinh's image has been closely associated with this activity.volunteerSometimes he participates in cooking and distributing free porridge to patients in hospitals, sometimes he shelters and cares for lonely elderly people and orphans, and sometimes he expresses gratitude to and visits wounded and sick soldiers… In any activity, Mr. Tinh is always one of the first to arrive and the last to leave. He does everything in silence, with surprising dedication and composure.
“That’s Mr. Tinh for you. In all activities, he’s always the least talkative but the most productive, the quietest but the most responsible, the most reserved but also the most insightful. I met Mr. Tinh around the end of 2020, when he participated in supporting the people of Quang Binh during the historic flood. After that support trip, Mr. Tinh also helped us transport relief supplies to people quarantined due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, he has been one of the most active volunteers in charitable activities in the area. In 2023, Mr. Tinh received a Certificate of Commendation from the Chairman of the People’s Committee of Nghe An province for his significant contributions to charitable activities from 2021-2023. He also used the prize money from this achievement to support those in difficult circumstances,” shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh of the Nghe An Provincial Red Cross.
Sharing the same sentiment, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhung, head of the "Friends" volunteer group in Hanoi, said: "I have met many good people and worked with many philanthropists, but I have never met anyone as special as Mr. Tinh. He doesn't shy away from any difficulties and genuinely wants to share with those less fortunate without expecting anything in return or recognition. Whenever his son comes home from studying far away, Mr. Tinh always invites him to participate in volunteer work with him."
Indeed, without needing any recognition, Mr. Tinh treats the elderly man living alone in Hung Binh ward, whom the volunteer group is caring for, as if he were family. Whenever he passes by or is nearby, he always stops to visit. He treats the orphaned girl living with her grandparents in Cua Nam ward, whom the group is sponsoring, as if she were his own child, so he personally comes to give her gifts every month. Every Friday evening and Saturday morning at 3 am, regardless of the season, he arranges his schedule to be one of the first and most active people at the "Soup of Love" group's kitchen. If anyone needs help, he will be there immediately if he can… For him, helping those in need is no longer a choice; it seems to have become an instinct for this quiet man from Hue.
Love on this blessed land
Because Mr. Tinh is a man of few words, not many people know he's from Hue at first meetings. For over 25 years, Nghe An has been not only his wife's hometown but also a "blessed land" for all members of his family.
Phan Huu Tinh was the eldest son in a large, impoverished family. From a young age, aware of his family's poverty, his mother's poor health, and his father's mistakes, Tinh understood his responsibility to care for his younger siblings. At 17, to earn money to support his family, Phan Huu Tinh decided to learn the construction trade and find work.
“In my hometown, there are many skilled construction workers. I learned the trade from them, and once I became proficient, I sought employment. Because there was little work in Hue, I went to Vinh and worked for several contractors, also from Hue. After two years of working there, seeing my skills, a client proactively suggested that I manage a team of workers and take on projects for them. By chance, I became a contractor from then on. Since then, even during difficult economic times and challenging market conditions, I have never lacked work, and my team of workers has never been short of projects,” Mr. Tinh shared.
Speaking in his genuine, honest Hue accent, Mr. Tinh shared: “I have seven younger siblings, four brothers and three sisters. After becoming more stable in my work, I gradually brought all seven of them to Vinh City to start their careers and build their lives there. Currently, all seven have gotten married; three of my brothers are construction contractors, three of my sisters run hairdressing and beauty services, and the remaining brother recently went to work abroad in Singapore.”
The story of Mr. Tinh's care for his siblings is widely known. “Mr. Tinh is a man with a heavy family burden. Bringing his siblings to Vinh, he not only provided them with food and shelter but also helped each of them find work. He taught his sons construction skills and provided them with capital to start their own businesses. He sent his daughters to vocational training in service industries, and then he opened kiosks and rented spaces for them to work. Once they had stable jobs, he personally took care of their weddings and arranged marriages. His diligence and exemplary conduct served as a foundation for his siblings to follow. Furthermore, Mr. Tinh played a significant role in connecting and building the Hue community in Nghe An. Despite his busy schedule and difficulties, he always ensured the association's work was done properly, helping it grow and become more united. We admire Mr. Tinh for that reason,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Viem, a member of the Hue Hometown Association in Nghe An.Nghe Anshare.
Throughout his story, Mr. Tinh repeatedly mentioned Vinh City, Nghe An Province, as a major milestone in his life. This city, this land of scorching hot winds, has given him opportunities to develop his career and meet his wife – a woman who always respects and supports all his decisions.
Mr. Tinh shared his feelings: “Although there are still many hardships, I consider myself a lucky person. I believe that not many wives are happy when their husbands dedicate so much time to community activities and spend so much money caring for the children. With the blessings I have received in Nghe An province, I wish to give more, to share more…”
