For months, residents of Pham Dinh Ho Ward in Hanoi have grown accustomed to the heartwarming sight of an elderly man with white hair and a cane strolling through the streets with his pet duck waddling close behind.

Nguyen Ngoc Quang, 61, lives on Hang Chuoi Street in Hanoi’s Hai Ba Trung District. Every morning, his pet duck, “Pac Pac,” eagerly awaits his return, quacking in recognition of his footsteps.

Quang bought Pac Pac as a duckling over seven months ago in Cau Gie, Phu Xuyen District. Initially no bigger than an egg, the duck grew quickly under Quang’s care.

“I raised it with simple meals - vegetables, corn, and leftovers like pho soup donated by neighbors,” Quang shared. Today, the duck’s snow-white feathers and affectionate nature make it a local favorite.

Pac Pac spends most of the day quietly in a small coop, only quacking when it’s hungry. Quang sticks to a strict feeding schedule, so disturbances are rare. In the afternoons, the pair heads out for their daily walk.

Quang leads with his cane, and Pac Pac follows close behind, creating a delightful scene that often stops passersby in their tracks. If the duck lags, it quacks loudly until Quang pauses or urges it to catch up. “It’s just like a child, spoiled but lovable,” he laughed.

Quang’s passion for raising ducks began over ten years ago when his wife ran a street-side quail egg stall. Occasionally, he would incubate and hatch eggs at home. Over the years, Quang has raised seven or eight ducks, though not all survived due to illness or accidents.

Pac Pac, however, has been his most enduring companion. Quang, who suffers from spinal degeneration and a hip fracture, finds solace in the duck’s company while he spends his days cooking and waiting for his family to return from work.

“In life, everyone has their own joy. For me, it’s raising ducks,” Quang said.

Quang’s devotion to Pac Pac has turned him into a neighborhood favorite. One neighbor joked, “Ever since Pac Pac became famous, it acts like a star!”

Another added, “The duck is incredibly smart and loyal. Wherever Quang goes, Pac Pac follows.”

Walking leisurely with Pac Pac by his side, Quang has created a heartwarming and one-of-a-kind image in the bustling streets of Hanoi.