Life changed dramatically for Trang, a young Vietnamese woman in France, after meeting an 86-year-old woman who now treats her like family. The elderly woman cares for Trang with the love of a grandmother, and the connection has brought joy and warmth to both their lives.

Nguyen Trang - often called Suu Bong - is 29 years old and originally from the former Quang Binh Province. She has lived, studied, and worked in France for nearly five years, previously residing in Paris.

In early 2024, when her company opened a branch in southern France, Trang relocated to a small coastal town called Cassis. It was there that she met the French woman she now fondly calls “grandmother” - a woman who came to treat her as her own granddaughter.

Cassis, Trang describes, is a picturesque seaside town about 30 minutes by train, bus, or car from Marseille. Like many young people who first arrive in Europe for school, she struggled with homesickness, language barriers, and cultural differences.

“My life changed the day I met her,” Trang shared emotionally. “From two complete strangers, she became family. She made my days in a foreign land sweeter and warmer.”

From that moment on, Trang’s personal social media became filled with images of their time together. She never expected that the photos, short videos, and ordinary little stories - originally shared just for memory’s sake - would capture the hearts of so many. Her posts have garnered hundreds of thousands of interactions.

Many online users left heartfelt comments on her posts: “There’s nothing more precious than finding someone who loves you like their own in a foreign land”; “She looks so gentle, like a fairy grandmother. Even through photos, I feel warmth”; “When you give love, you receive love. Wishing the two of you good health…”

Trang first met her “grandmother” at church. After a few chance encounters and walking home together, they naturally grew close.

One day, the elderly woman invited Trang over for dinner. The invitation was sincere, and Trang couldn't refuse.

When the woman opened her fridge to find food, Trang noticed several containers had gone moldy. With her poor eyesight, the elderly woman hadn’t realized. Trang was touched with concern.

“After that dinner, our bond deepened,” Trang recalled. “Although my place is two bus stops away, I visit her regularly. Every visit leaves us both feeling warm, happy, and less lonely.”

The woman lives alone. Her son, nearly 60 years old, resides in another city but visits often. According to Trang, the elderly woman has a sufficient pension, and the French social welfare and elderly care systems are excellent - so it’s not uncommon for seniors to live independently.

“She may be old, but she joyfully handles all her housework by herself,” Trang said. “She believes staying active keeps her body healthy and gives her purpose. It’s a valuable lesson for me.”

Despite her age, the woman remembers every little detail about Trang - her habits, likes and dislikes, even her birthday. Every time Trang visits, she prepares hot meals, buys fruit, sets aside sweets, readies a warm bed, and always packs up leftovers for Trang to take home.

She knows that her “granddaughter” doesn’t eat spicy food, dislikes garlic and onions, and only eats beef, pork, and fully cooked eggs.

“We’re both Catholic,” Trang shared, “and I lost my real grandmother when I was very young. Meeting her feels like a gift from God.”

Each week, Trang visits her grandmother several times. On holidays or birthdays, she brings flowers and a small cake so they can celebrate together.

Her gifts are simple - daily essentials like tissues, toilet paper, or adult diapers. Occasionally, she’ll prepare Vietnamese dishes and invite her grandmother to try them.

“She’s now an inseparable part of my life,” Trang said. “All my friends and family know about her and often ask about her well-being.”

The woman’s family and neighbors feel the same. They frequently ask Trang if she still visits. Whenever the woman's son comes to see his mother, he brings an extra gift for Trang. “It’s truly heartwarming,” she smiled.

Linh Trang