In early March, Nguyen Thi Huong (born 2007, from Quang Binh) brought her mother, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Binh (born 1983), to HCM City to find a job. Huong was working at a vegetarian restaurant in Tan Phu District.

Due to Binh’s mental health condition and unstable emotions, Huong brought her mother to the restaurant for easier caregiving. However, after just one day, Binh suddenly left and did not return.

Discovering her mother’s disappearance, Huong frantically searched for her. She borrowed a motorbike from the restaurant owner and roamed the city’s streets, hoping to find her mother wandering somewhere.

After hours of searching across multiple districts without success, Huong reported the case to the authorities.

“I posted on various social media groups, asking for help from the online community. I printed flyers with my mother’s photo and my phone number and distributed them.

“I also made a large sign with her details and picture, which I wore on my chest while searching. I asked locals, and traditional and app-based motorbike taxi drivers for any leads.”

After Huong’s story spread online, the community rallied to help find Binh. Among them was Long, 26, of HCM City, member of a well-known volunteer group in the city.

Long connected with volunteer groups across provinces to assist in the search. 

“When I went to deliver gifts to the needy at night with a volunteer group, I took the opportunity to look for information about Binh. During this time, I often contacted and talked with Huong to reassure and encourage her spirit,” he recounted.

“Based on analysis, I believed Binh might be in Lam Dong or Binh Phuoc. I shared my thoughts with Huong to ease her worries and give her hope,” Long said.

With support from the online community and kind-hearted individuals, Huong regained her strength. On the night of June 17, she burst into tears of joy upon receiving a call from a stranger suggesting her mother might be at a social welfare center in Hon Quan in Binh Phuoc province.

Huong excitedly informed Long, who with other volunteers, traveled to Binh Phuoc to verify the information. There, Huong broke down in tears upon confirming the woman at the center was her mother.

Lingering concerns

At the center, Long and the group helped Huong complete the paperwork to bring Binh back to HCM City. Huong said: “Seeing my mother again, I was overwhelmed with emotion. For three months, I searched for her everywhere in panic and fear.

“Since she went missing, I cried constantly. Thankfully, the online community and kind people helped me. Because of them, we are reunited. I’m deeply grateful for their support over these three months.”

Huong asked her mother about her ordeal, but the woman couldn’t recall details. She only remembered wandering the streets before being taken to a center in HCM City, then transferred to the welfare center in Hon Quan on May 22.

Huong said Binh has suffered from mental health issues and emotional instability for nearly a decade, with symptoms fluctuating unpredictably.

Currently, Huong and her mother remain in HCM City. Huong is going to take her mother for a medical checkup before returning to their hometown for treatment. She remains worried that Binh might wander off again, so she stays close to her.

Huong has placed a name tag on her mother’s neck with information about contact details and a tracking device in case she leaves unexpectedly while Huong is at work.

Huong shared her difficult circumstances. Her parents divorced when she was young, and her older brother lives with their grandparents, rarely contacting his mother or sister. Binh has many siblings, but they live far away.

“My biggest wish now is to get my mother diagnosed and treated with a clear plan. I also hope to find a job that allows me to earn a living while staying close to care for her,” Huong said.

Ha Nguyen