A healthy lifestyle

A series of videos showing a 95-year-old man in Nghe An skillfully weaving baskets, trays and shopping bags has attracted thousands of views on TikTok.

Despite being nearly 100 years old, he remains healthy, sharp-minded, with agile hands that continue making handmade products to sell to neighbors.

His gentle smile when his grandchildren ask “Grandpa, why are you still working at this age?” and his simple reply “Sitting idle is too boring, I have to keep working,” has touched many viewers.

Nguyen Thi Thao (born in 1994, from Nghe An), the person who uploaded the videos, said the elderly man is her grandfather, Nguyen Ba Viet (born in 1931), who currently lives in Quynh Anh Commune, Nghe An Province.

Viet has seven children, including four sons and three daughters. Two of his sons have passed away. His wife died six years ago, and he now lives alone in a small house in Quynh Anh Commune, while his other two sons live nearby.

At nearly 100 years old, Viet is still healthy and mentally sharp. Every day, he cycles to the market, cooks his own meals and independently handles all daily activities. Although his children and grandchildren have repeatedly invited him to live with them for easier care, Viet chooses to live alone so he can maintain the lifestyle he prefers.

In front of his house is a small garden plot where Viet plants and tends to various fruit trees such as mangoes and pomelos. In addition, he thoroughly enjoys planting flowers to add vibrant colors to his living space.

"My grandfather eats 5 meals a day: breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, a late-afternoon snack, and dinner. Occasionally, he treats himself to some snacks or cakes late at night.

His diet is simple and wholesome. He still rides his bicycle to the market to buy groceries and then cooks the dishes he likes without troubling his children or grandchildren," Thao recounted.

Viet leads a highly disciplined lifestyle, waking up at 5am and going to bed at 8pm every day. He does not consume alcohol, does not smoke cigarettes, and regularly rides his bike for exercise every afternoon. Thao believes that this healthy routine is precisely the secret behind her grandfather's resilient physical strength and sharp mind.

Passion for weaving

In his youth, Viet was a factory worker. Upon retiring, he picked up the craft of bamboo weaving to both have something to do "for leisure" and earn a little extra income to cover his living expenses.

At 95, Viet still works diligently at his weaving every day. With his skillful hands, he regularly crafts bamboo baskets and market bags to sell to the villagers. Knowing his talent for weaving, many people come to place orders, asking him to weave specific items they need. He always happily accepts and delivers the goods right on schedule.

"I have asked my grandfather many times why he doesn't rest at this age instead of tirelessly weaving every single basket. My grandpa replied, 'No matter the age, as long as you have health, you must labor; laboring is what gives you value.'

Those seemingly simple words serve as an invaluable lesson for our generation. I have always admired my grandfather's hard work and independence," Thao shared.

For many years, Viet has never been a burden to his descendants. He always organizes his life meticulously on his own, never causing his children to worry.

Toward his children and grandchildren, he is exceedingly gentle. Whenever he has a delicious dish, he sets it aside for his young great-grandchildren. Even when imparting life lessons, he maintains a gentle attitude and speaks softly so his descendants do not feel pressured.

His sole longing is for his children and grandchildren to live in harmony and love one another, so that on every death anniversary or Tet holiday, he can witness his family happily gathering together.

"My grandfather keeps a notebook in which he records the names and ages of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, both paternal and maternal. Whenever the family welcomes a new member, he writes it down in this notebook as a way of marking the occasion. He calls that book the family tree, using it to remind his descendants to remember their roots and love their family," Thao said.

Ha Nguyen