VietNamNet Bridge - 36 years living on Sai Gon River, Mr. Ba Chuc has become the archenemy of Death by saving 200 people.

The "house" of Mr. Chuc.

On the Sai Gon River, near Binh Loi Bridge, Mr. Chuc and his wife Hinh are called ‘The happiest couple in the area.’ When we saw them, they were sitting in front of the boat sipping morning coffee. The husband's face looked strangely serene while the wife occasionally smiled at him with a loving gaze. They live like that everyday without any thought, any sorrow.

Mr. Nguyen Van Chuc a.k.a Ba Chuc is 56 years old and his wife is 54. They were both born in the north but they have sailed on Southern land for their whole life.

Since he was 8, Mr. Chuc followed his father, a fisherman to anchor on this waterfront.

When he was 20, he got married with a fisherwoman, Nguyen Thi Hinh and together they have 5 daughters.

However, there would be nothing worth mentioning if only Mr. Ba Chuc’s life is encapsulated in the boat with the idyllic life.

The 100 years Binh Loi Bridge, where he lives nearby, is famous for danger and committing suicide. Although the accidents are unintended or not, this couple always decides to save all these miserable and tortuous victims.

Mr. Ba Chuc also shares the story of a drowned man recently near where he lives. On May 29, at 23.30, while they were sleeping, suddenly someone asked him help a drowned man. Without any hesitation, he sailed right away to rescue the victim. He found a man lying near barriers of the bridge; Mr. Ba knew he was exhausted when he tried to save his friend. Then, he continued to search the other victim. Finally, he found a man lying on mud. At 3.00, these two men was saved and brought to the bank. After waiting for local policemen awhile, he went to his boat and slept.

On this very river, Mr. Chuc and his wife are admired for their life style. No matter what happens, they always try their best to save people. They always take care of the victims carefully. For example, Mrs. Hinh helps C.P.R them and fed them.

Recently, in April, he has saved a girl from committing suicide. The reason she tried to die was breaking up with her boyfriend. Thanks to Mr. Chuc’s rescue, she realized the meaning of life. Mr. Chuc and his wife convinced and encouraged her to regain her confidence. She also promised to her saviors that she would never do anything stupid again.

Sailing on the Sai Gon River for 36 years, he usually saves 5 people each year so he may save over 200 lives from Death. Hence, no doubt when he and his wife are called ‘Enemy of Death.’

Answering the reason for his noble deeds, he said ‘I do this just from the heart. The victims don’t have to pay me anything even a gesture of thanksgiving.

How could I take benefit from them? They want to die when they face a dead end. I can not take money from them whether it is worth or not; it is not moral. Please feel at ease to save people, let us be fortunate for our posterity. So, I'm very comfortable, though very poor.’

Associated with the river for their whole life, they still have not the intention to live on shore.

He said he could not bear to leave the river, leaving a job which makes his heart happy.

He just wants life to become more and more beautiful so no one would be bored enough to die, so Mr. Chuc and Mrs. Hinh can sleep peacefully at night.