From the depths of pain, the legless young man rose with extraordinary resilience, pand touching the hearts of millions.

With a small smartphone, Hung has built a world of independence, where he earns a living, supports his family, and inspires countless others searching for light amid adversity.

Fateful turning point

In 2004, at just two years old, Hung accompanied his mother to look after a relative’s house in Tra Co, Quang Ninh. While playing, he slipped near a bear enclosure, was attacked by a black bear, and had both legs mauled.

On the fragile line between life and death, the boy with rare AB blood type was saved through the relentless efforts of his family, doctors, and his mother’s unwavering determination, but he permanently lost both legs. 

It seemed his life would be confined to a hospital bed and four walls, but from that loss, an extraordinary journey began. Without legs, Hung never stopped moving forward or dreaming. 

Hung’s earliest memories are dragging himself with his hands, adjusting to his altered body. 

In those days, his passion for sports took off. At five, Hung started playing ball with his hands, tossing it against a wall. By eight, he joined friends on the field, starting as a goalkeeper and later using his remaining part of his leg to kick the ball.

Each shot was a test of his limits, and each scrape from the concrete field taught Hung to be stronger.

Swimming championship

Besides his love for football, Hung is passionate about swimming, from jumping into the river with village friends to becoming a swimmer for HCMC’s disabled swimming team.

In 2020, Hung competed in the National Swimming Championship for Disabled Athletes, winning a Bronze Medal in the 100m freestyle.

In 2023, he represented Vietnam at the ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia. In the same year, he clinched a Gold Medal in the 100m breaststroke at the National Championship for Disabled Athletes in Vietnam.

Technology opens new doors

Alongside his sports journey, Hung runs the TikTok channel @pth.official with nearly 700,000 followers.

His videos, capturing his pursuit of passion and solitary training sessions, every moment of juggling a ball, swimming, or filming on the field, are all self-produced, shot, and edited, serving as a message: “I’m still here, living every moment in my passion.”

Starting with TikTok in 2018, a turning point came when a football video unexpectedly went viral. Encouragement from the online community made Hung realize he could not only inspire but also create real value through digital content.

In 2022, Hung won the Sport Master category championship at the Master 2022 by TikTok. This victory earned him a verified TikTok badge and opened doors to media opportunities and brand collaborations.

Hung gradually built a personal brand, earning a stable income of VND20-30 million monthly through advertisements, TikTok Shop sales, and partnerships with sports brands.

“I used to rely on my mom, but now I can support myself and help my parents. Technology has truly changed my life,” Hung said.

Hung spoke about how many people messaged him, thanking him for being an example in essays about resilience. One child wrote that Hung’s story gave him confidence to speak in class. “That’s when I realized that my journey wasn’t just for me/ It gave strength to others,” Hung said.

With no crew or fancy cameras, Hung relies on a single smartphone and a belief that nothing can stop his desires.

Days spent filming under the sun, training until bleeding, or facing harsh comments like “Why play on the field with no legs?” did not make him quit.

Now, Hung’s life is stable, with income and clear goals. His only remaining desire is to achieve more in sports.

Every day, he trains at the pool, on the field, and in front of his phone’s lens with one goal: “Live fully for your passion, because nothing can stop you from reaching your dreams, except yourself giving up.”

Ha Thuong