Touching story of poor father going to Japan to bring son's ashes back home

The pain of losing a child in a foreign land

In recent days, people in Khanh Son commune were shocked and saddened to hear that Ngo Van Thien (born in 1999), son of Ngo Van Oanh, residing in hamlet 4, Khanh Son commune, had suddenly passed away in Japan.

Before going to Japan, Mr. Ngo Van Thien had completed his military service: Photo: FBNV

Mr. Thien is the second child in a family of 3 children. After graduating from high school, he joined the army. After completing his military service, he worked in many places, hoping to earn more income to help his family. Due to difficult circumstances, in mid-2022, his parents decided to mortgage the red book to borrow money for him to go to Japan to work.

Coming to Japan to work as an interior decorator for a union in Saitama province, Mr. Thien quickly integrated into the new environment, tried to work hard, hoping to do well in business and soon be able to send money home to pay off his debt.

However, after working in Japan for a short time, on the night of March 31, at his residence in Toda, Warabi, Saitama, Mr. Thien suddenly passed away while sleeping, without having time to leave a message to his brothers, friends, relatives and family. That morning, when his roommates woke him up to go to work, he was no longer there.

Fellow Nam Dan villagers set up an altar for Thien at his residence. Photo: Trong Khanh

Having placed all their trust in their son when he went to work abroad, when they received the news of his death in Japan, Mr. Oanh's family was extremely heartbroken as if their hearts were being torn to pieces. Mrs. Pham Thi Ngan cried so much for her son that she fainted. Relatives, siblings, and neighbors were also heartbroken. Everyone was saddened that Thien had to leave at such a young age, ending his youthful dreams and ambitions.

Sharing the pain of Mr. Oanh's family, as soon as they heard the news of Mr. Thien's death in Japan, local people, departments, branches, organizations, associations, groups of fellow countrymen at home and abroad, and volunteer groups launched a call for donations, organized visits, encouraged, and helped Mr. Oanh's family in their time of grief.

Many individuals, organizations, associations and volunteer groups have visited, encouraged and helped Mr. Oanh's family. Photo: An Nam

Bringing Thien’s body and ashes back to his hometown requires a lot of money, while the family’s financial situation is very difficult, which is a concern for his relatives. However, thanks to the care and help of everyone, philanthropists and the social community…, Mr. Oanh decided to go to Japan to bring his son back to Vietnam.

On the night of April 8, after preparing the necessary things and suppressing his pain, he went to Hanoi and flew alone to Japan.

Accompanying the poor father to bring his son's ashes back to his hometown

According to information from fellow Nam Dan residents in Japan, after Thien passed away, his body was transferred to Saitama Police Station. At Thien's residence, his fellow countrymen and friends set up an altar and burned incense according to Vietnamese customs.

Nam Dan compatriots in Japan give the money raised to Mr. Oanh. Photo: Ho Quyet

Mr. Nguyen Trong Khanh (28 years old), from Khanh Son commune (Nam Dan) who is working in Saitama (Japan) said: In the past few days, he and some fellow Nam Dan residents here have been busy arranging everything to welcome Mr. Oanh. When Mr. Oanh arrived in Japan, he asked for leave from his job at the company to help him with his work.

At the same time, fellow countrymen arranged food and accommodation, took care of taking Mr. Oanh to the Police Department to receive documents, receive Mr. Thien's body, go to the Vietnamese Embassy to do procedures, and held a prayer for Mr. Thien before cremation...

In front of Thien's altar in Saitama, after many days of calling, fellow countrymen from Nam Dan (Nghe An) gave the money they had raised to Mr. Oanh to support his family in times of trouble.

The Dong Van Team - Nghe An's Hearts are waiting for Mr. Oanh at Noi Bai Airport. Photo: Minh Tam

After completing all the procedures, cremating Thien's body, carefully packing the ashes, with the help of fellow countrymen, at 4:30 p.m. on April 12, the ashes of the unfortunate son of Nghe An were carried back to his hometown by his father on his back. Seeing him silently carrying his backpack through the airport, the fellow countrymen seeing him off couldn't help but feel heartbroken.

In the spirit of mutual love and support, in Nghe An, after receiving information about Mr. Thien's family situation, especially the fact that his father was going to Japan to bring his son's ashes back to the country, the Dong Nai Xe - Nghe An Heart Team decided to help Mr. Oanh and his relatives move from Hanoi to Nam Dan.

Mr. Oanh and his relatives on a free bus ride from Hanoi to his hometown. Photo: Minh Tam

At the same time Mr. Oanh boarded the plane in Japan, on the afternoon of April 12, the Xe khong dong - Trai tim xu Nghe team and two relatives of Mr. Thien's family also departed for Hanoi. A member of the volunteer team said that the team arrived at Noi Bai Airport at 7 p.m. and waited until 10 p.m. to pick up Mr. Oanh. After settling down, the volunteer team traveled all night to bring Mr. Thien's relatives and ashes back to their hometown.

At 4:15 a.m. on April 13, the Dong Nai Xe - Nghe An Heart Team arrived at Hamlet 4, Khanh Son Commune. Thien's ashes were moved into the house amid the sobs of his relatives. The Dong Nai Xe Team members burned incense and expressed their condolences before leaving the family.

Funeral atmosphere at Mr. Oanh's house in Khanh Son commune (Nam Dan). Photo: An Nam

About 2 days from now, on April 15, family, relatives and neighbors will hold a funeral to send Thien to his final resting place.

The past few days have been the most painful, but also the most heartwarming, days for Mr. Oanh’s family. At this time, the love of relatives, fellow countrymen, and the sharing of the community are a great source of encouragement that will help his family overcome pain and hardship./.