The fourth day of the Lunar New Year became a special moment for the family of Nguyen Thi Binh in Minh Nhuan Village, Dai Dong Commune, Nghe An Province, when she received a longevity certificate from the chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.

According to family records, Binh was born on October 10, 1911, and has now reached the age of 115.

Inside a modest tile-roofed house in the countryside of Nghe An, Binh currently lives with her second daughter, Le Thi Lam, 69, and a grandson. When visitors arrive, she often sits on a small plastic chair in the courtyard, greeting them with a gentle smile.

Despite her advanced age, Binh remains relatively agile. Though her back is bent and her hearing has weakened, her hair is completely white and her eyes remain bright, while her face carries the deep wrinkles of time.

Her feet are somewhat unusual, curling toward one side. Because of this, she rarely wears sandals.

“In the past, she fell a few times while wearing sandals, so the family decided it was safer for her to go barefoot,” Lam explained.

Binh was born and raised in Ngoc Son Commune in the former Thanh Chuong District. Her life has been marked by many hardships.

After her first husband passed away, she remarried Le Van Khang in Thanh Ngoc Commune, now part of Dai Dong Commune.

The couple had two children, a son and a daughter. However, happiness did not last long. In 1960, Khang passed away. Eight years later, Binh’s son was killed by a bomb during the war.

From then on, Binh and her daughter relied on each other.

According to Lam, during her younger years Binh was known in the cooperative for her diligence and hard work. Whether farming, raising livestock, or participating in collective activities, she always worked responsibly.

Even in old age, she continued to help with small household tasks until her health no longer allowed it.

In recent years, her daily activities have mostly been confined to the house. Each morning, after her daughter helps with personal care, Binh asks for her plastic chair to be placed in the courtyard.

From that familiar spot, she quietly watches neighbors passing by the lane and occasionally smiles when someone stops to visit.

When asked about the secret to her longevity, the family said there is nothing particularly unusual.

Her diet is simple. At each meal she eats only a few spoonfuls of rice, while meat and fish are finely ground to make them easier to swallow. In addition to regular meals, she is given milk, cereal, or cakes to ensure adequate nutrition.

According to relatives, the most important factor behind Binh’s long life is the care and attention from her children and grandchildren. Family members constantly remind one another to maintain harmony and affection at home.

About 20 years ago, Binh lost sight in both eyes, causing great concern for the family.

Fortunately, a medical team from the city later visited the area, examined her condition, and arranged surgery. The successful operation restored her vision, and her eyes remain bright to this day.

There was also a time when her health deteriorated severely. In 2019, at the age of 108, Binh became extremely weak and appeared unlikely to survive.

“When we took her to the hospital, doctors advised us to bring her home. I even consulted a fortune teller, who said her life had come to an end and that we should let her go peacefully,” Lam recalled.

Relatives even built a grave and prepared her memorial portrait.

However, after she returned home, medical staff from the commune health station regularly visited to examine her, administer injections, and provide intravenous fluids.

After about 11 days, her health unexpectedly improved and gradually stabilized, leaving the entire family overwhelmed with relief.

According to relatives, longevity runs in Binh’s maternal family. Her mother lived to the age of 102, and one of her maternal aunts also lived beyond 100.

Nguyen Van Phuc, a social policy officer of Dai Dong Commune People’s Committee, said the commune currently has around 50 residents aged 100 or older.

Among them, Nguyen Thi Binh is the oldest person in the locality at present.

Tran Tuyen