VietNamNet Bridge – Dreams of meeting limbless Australian writer Nick Vujicic will come true for many Vietnamese today, May 22, when he arrives to address an expected 70,000 people in total.

Words of wisdom: A competition entry by a primary school student in Ha Noi depicts Nick Vujicic and his inspirational speeches. — VNS Photo nickdenvietnam.com

Since the news spread that Vujicic, who was born without arms and legs, would visit Viet Nam, tickets have been highly sought.

Banners have even been hung up along streets in Ha Noi and HCM City where Vujicic will speak to large audiences of businessmen, students and disadvantaged people.

Stress sufferer Nguyen Dang Quoc, 25, from District 8, in HCM City failed to get tickets, so he and his mother will watch Vujicic's talks broadcast live on TV.

Nguyen Thi Van Anh, 26, of District 5, in HCM City managed to apply for a ticket on the website www.nickdenvietnam.com. Anh bought some of Nick's books and watched his videos on YouTube to prepare for the quiz on Vujicic's life and career.

The organising committee increase the number of lectures from three to seven lectures so more people could be satisfied. During his visit, Vujicic is expected to give talks to a total of 70,000 audience.

People with disabilities will be given free admission. "The tickets are distributed free of charge to those who really need to have motivation, an inspiration to overcome difficulties in life, including handicapped people, street children or businessmen facing with difficulties," said Hoa Binh, a representative of the organising committee.

Le Phuoc Vu, chairman of the Hoa Sen Group, the major sponsor and one of the organisers of Nick's visit, said the group had increased financial sponsorship to VND31.7 billion (US$1.5 million).

Tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare congenital disorder, left Vujicic without any arms or legs. The 31-year-old struggled as a child, eventually coming to terms with his disability, and at the age of 17, he started his own non-profit organisation, Life Without Limbs.

Today, he is a worldwide motivational speaker and gives a total of more than 1,600 speeches to millions of people around the world.

Early this month, one of his videos was watched by more than 500 inmates at Thu Duc District prison in HCM City.

Nguyen Quoc Thai, who is serving a life sentence, said he felt emotional after watching the video.

Thai said he had thought his life was over, and that he would not have a chance to change. But Nick's video had affected him so deeply that Thai said he would try to take steps to improve himself.

Nick doesn't attract only young people. Vietnamese the historian Duong Trung Quoc also admires his courage.

"In Nick's lectures, I believe that it's his living art, his life and courage that will win the heart of the public," said Quoc.

"He will encourage unfortunate people, making them believe that a happy life will come to those who know how to survive difficulties," he said.

Source: VNS