The sight of a 23-year-old patiently comforting his nearly 90-year-old grandmother like a small child, with endless tenderness and love, has left many witnesses deeply moved.
The touching story of the young man caring for his grandmother at a hospital in Nghe An was shared by Hoang Trang, born in 1991 and also from Nghe An Province.
Posted in an online community group, the story quickly attracted more than 20,000 likes and hundreds of comments praising the young man’s kindness and devotion.
Trang told VietNamNet that in mid-April 2026, she was caring for her father at Vinh Friendship General Hospital in Nghe An.
Her father and several other patients in the room were seriously ill, with many relying on ventilators.
Image of the young man caring for his nearly 90-year-old grandmother at the hospital. Photo: Hoang Trang
On April 14, an elderly woman around 90 years old was moved into the room. Accompanying her was a grandson in his early twenties. The grandmother was exhausted and difficult to comfort. At times she spoke harshly, kicked and struggled, pulled at her hair, or repeatedly insisted on going home.
Yet in every situation, the young man remained patient and gentle while caring for and comforting his grandmother. No matter how restless she became, he never lost his temper or showed signs of frustration or helplessness.
“He sat up all night holding her arms and legs so the IV needle would not come loose. Sometimes when she became especially restless, he would take out his phone and play music videos for her, soothing her the way someone would comfort a small child. At one point, she demanded to buy the phone for 20,000 VND. When she realized she had no smaller bills, she handed him 100,000 VND instead. He happily took out his wallet and gave her change, making everyone in the room burst into laughter,” Trang recalled.
The young man and another family member gently care for the grandmother. Photo: Hoang Trang
After spending time caring for her seriously ill father, Trang understood how physically and emotionally exhausting it could be to look after patients in hospital.
Lack of sleep often made people more irritable and short-tempered.
That was why witnessing the 23-year-old patiently comforting his grandmother throughout the night, no matter how difficult she became, filled Trang with both admiration and emotion.
“Seeing how much he loved his grandmother, nobody in the room could bring themselves to complain when she became noisy. She stayed in the room for one day and one night before being transferred elsewhere. I believe that someone who loves his grandmother that much will also know how to love his wife and children. He is a good man,” Trang said.
“A truly great grandmother”
The young man at the center of the story is Cao Van Nam, born in 2003 and also from Nghe An Province.
His grandmother is Thai Thi Bo, born in 1937. Bo has 10 children - eight daughters and two sons. Nam’s father is the eighth child in the family. The elderly woman currently lives with Nam’s family.
Nam said his grandmother was hospitalized for 10 days in mid-April 2026 after developing a blood infection.
Family members took turns caring for her throughout her treatment.
During the first days of hospitalization, Nam and another relative stayed by her side.
It was also the most difficult period because Bo was seriously ill, suffering from high fever, confusion and moments of losing control.
Nam and his grandmother. Photo: Provided by the family
Even so, Nam and his family patiently stayed with her around the clock, helping her eat, making sure her IV line stayed in place and trying not to disturb other patients in the shared room.
“Our family loves my grandmother very much. Both her children and grandchildren are always willing to care for her. During the 10 days she was hospitalized, everyone took turns so no one would become too exhausted,” Nam shared.
For Nam, caring for his grandmother was never a burden or obligation. Instead, it was his quiet way of repaying the love she had given him throughout his childhood and into adulthood.
“At that moment, I only thought that no matter how difficult my grandmother became, I would gladly accept it. Because she is a truly great grandmother in my eyes, as well as in the eyes of all her children and grandchildren,” Nam said.
Nam grew up surrounded by his grandmother’s affection. As a child, he was cradled and comforted by her.
He still vividly remembers summer afternoons when she rocked his hammock and sang lullabies, or the times she defended him whenever his parents scolded him.
Even as he grew older, Nam continued to feel her unconditional love.
At the age of 89, Bo still devoted herself entirely to her family. Whenever she had something delicious, she saved it for her children and grandchildren. Whenever any family member experienced sadness or joy, she was always there to share in it.
“I hope my grandmother stays healthy and lives for many more years so she can continue being the bond that keeps our family together,” Nam said.
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