VietNamNet Bridge – Mrs. Truong Ngu Xao, 85, has lived on a stall at Nhat Tao Market, HCM City for many years. She has no relative, but she has been taken care of carefully by Mr. Minh for many years.

Many traders at Nhat Tao market told VietNamNet that every 3 o'clock in the morning, Mr. Minh entered the market to help Mrs. Xao to tidy herself up. Xao cannot walk so Minh took a piece of canvas to make enclosure around the old woman to relieve herself into a potty, then taking the potty away. After that, he helps her sit against a box to see others to prepare for a trading day.

At 5am, Minh brings the breakfast to Mrs. Xao. It is a bowl of rice. He patiently spoon-feeds rice to the old woman until she finishes the meal. He then helps her lie down. Before leaving the market, he does not forget to cover her with a blanket.

At 11am, Minh returns with the lunch. The food is simple because Mrs. Xao is a vegetarian. At 2pm, Minh washes Xao’s clothes and spoon-feeds her again with a snack. The last meal of the day is served by Minh at 5pm. Minh baths the old woman each several days.




"Six years ago, when she could still walk and trade, she cooked two meals a day, by a wood stove. I thought she was elderly and was afraid that cooking by wood might cause fire at the market so I suggested cooking for her. She is a vegetarian so it is not so difficult for my family to take care of her,” Minh said.

In the last three years, since Mrs. Xao could not walk, Minh has had to do everything for her. Fortunately, she was in good health.

Sometimes relatives came to the market to visit Mrs. Xao, but they did not do anything for the old woman.

After over 40 years working at this market, in her last days, Xao has been taken care by Mr. Minh and traders in the market.

Minh has to cover all costs for supporting Mrs. Xao while he has a big family, with a 90-year-old father, his sick wife and three daughters.

"Helping her with meals is just adding a bowl and a spoon. Sometimes I do not think she is a stranger, but my mother," Minh said.

We were impressed by the scene of Minh spoon-feeding Mrs. Xao. He respectfully served her while still smiling to encourage her to eat. For the last three years, Minh has taken care for the old woman alone, except for several days when he was ill. On these days, his daughters replaced him to serve the old woman.

A trader in Nhat Tao market said the market management board wanted to send Mrs. Xao to a rest-home but she seriously denied. She said that she has lived in the market for decades and she would also die at the market.

Mrs. Xao currently earns VND 240.000 ($12)/month from social allowance for the elderly policy. Every day, the local Red Cross gives her a lunch box. All of these allowances are given to Mr. Minh.

Tran Chanh Nghia