A veteran’s good deeds

Nguyen Manh Hung, 72, and his wife, Nguyen Thi Thoa, 69, residents of Vinh An 2 quarter, Tri An Ward, are respected and trusted by local people not only for living exemplary lives, working diligently and raising successful children, but also for their many acts of kindness toward the local community.

Leaders of the Tri An Ward Veterans Association talk with Nguyen Manh Hung (far left) about the association’s activities.

Building a livelihood from a brick kiln

In 1993, Hung and Thoa left their jobs at state agencies and immediately began building a traditional brick kiln in quarter 6, Vinh An townlet, former Vinh Cuu district, now Vinh An 2 Quarter, Tri An ward. At that time, the area was sparsely populated, surrounded mainly by ponds, gardens and farmland. The kiln was fired and produced bright red bricks. They sold bricks that met quality standards, while warped or substandard bricks were used to build pens for pigs, chickens and ducks.

The couple’s traditional brick kiln could fire about 10,000 bricks per batch, producing two batches a month. From kneading the clay, molding and firing to removing the bricks from the kiln and collecting firewood, the couple did everything themselves instead of hiring workers or purchasing materials whenever possible, in order to minimize input costs. With each batch of bricks produced through their own labor, Hung and Thoa invested all the profits from brick sales in ponds and livestock facilities for raising fish, pigs, chickens and ducks, gradually improving their economic situation.

From 1993 to 2010, Hung and Thoa’s handmade bricks represented the dream of a simple single-story house for many families and veterans in Vinh An townlet. As a soldier who served on an international mission in Cambodia from 1977 to 1982, Hung did not hesitate to sell bricks on credit or at reduced prices to local people, or donate bricks to disadvantaged households and veterans participating in charity and gratitude housing programs launched by local authorities and the former Vinh An Townlet Veterans Association.

As demand for bricks in construction continued to increase, the couple’s traditional kiln could no longer meet demand. They therefore invested more than VND3 billion to expand production, purchasing clay-mixing and brick-molding system and a kiln using new technology (a Hoffman kiln). The facility had a capacity of 1 million bricks per month, equivalent to the output of 10 traditional kilns.

Expanding production meant that Hung and Thoa also had to hire workers and arrange accommodation for them. Hung said their brick kiln provided regular employment for 30 workers each month. For workers who brought their families and young children with them, the couple arranged accommodation, temporary residence documents and schooling for their children.

In line with the policy to cease operations of Hoffman brick kilns, Hung and Thoa have now stopped brick production.

The charity and comradeship houses supported by the Tri An Ward Veterans Association for members facing housing difficulties in the past all contain “bricks of compassion” contributed by Hung and his wife. These bricks helped connect the bonds of comradeship and brotherhood. Although they did not come from the same hometown or fight in the same battlefield, they came together in Tri An, a land rich in revolutionary traditions.

NGUYEN ANH TUAN, Vice Chairman of the Tri An Ward Veterans Association

Actively supporting local movements

The couple’s solidarity in overcoming difficulties has helped their family become increasingly prosperous, while their children have graduated from university and secured stable jobs. Hung and Thoa have also received numerous certificates of merit and commendations from veterans’ and senior citizens’ organizations at the central and local levels for outstanding achievements in production and business, as well as charitable and humanitarian activities.

Lam Van Tinh, a resident of Tri An ward, recalled: “In 2002, my wife and I applied to work at the brick kiln. Hung and his wife arranged accommodation and jobs for us and helped prepare the paperwork so that our children could continue going to school. Thanks to that, we had a stable income and were able to save enough to buy a small plot of land. Later, Hung and Thoa also provided us with bricks to build our house. We will never forget their kindness”.

Le Tu, a resident of Vinh An 2 quarter, said that alley 217 on Quang Trung street, Vinh An 2 quarter, is as spacious and well-kept as it is today partly thanks to Hung and his wife, who contributed more than VND100 million and worked with local residents and authorities to build the alley to meet standards of being well-lit, green, clean, beautiful and safe. Although Hung is frugal in his personal spending, he is always generous when supporting neighborhood and community activities, earning the respect of everyone around him.

Although the brick kiln is no longer fired, Hung and Thoa have maintained their habit of tending their garden and pond and supporting mutual assistance activities among veterans and senior citizens through the Production and Business Club in Vinh An 2 quarter headed by Hung. The couple remain a trusted source of support for veterans’ and senior citizens’ organizations when mobilizing contributions to drives on encouraging education, supporting young people leaving for military service, helping the poor and assisting flood victims.

“Having once served as a soldier of Uncle Ho, I believe that when faced with difficulties, we must strive to rise through our own determination. When we succeed, we should help and support those who are struggling to build their livelihoods. Helping individuals or supporting local movements is always a good thing, so my wife and I are always ready to help,” Hung said.

By Doan Phu - Translated by Diec Quyen, Thu Ha