The difficult family situation of the widow who picked up 400 million VND worth of property and returned it to the owner.

Despite her difficult family circumstances, a single mother raising three small children, when she found a large sum of money, the woman in Ninh Thuan returned it to its owner.

Ms. Vo Thi Ngoc Mai (white shirt) returned lost property to Ms. Tran Dang Hoai Nhien - Photo: Ninh Thuan Police

The beautiful action of Ms. Vo Thi Ngoc Mai (Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan) helps spread love and multiply a meaningful story in everyday life.

Poor woman in Ninh Thuan does not covet lost property

On the afternoon of February 4, we arrived at Truong Tho village (Phuoc Hau commune, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province), and asked for directions to Mrs. Vo Thi Ngoc Mai's house, and everyone knew. Over the past few days, people in the village have been telling each other the story of her beautiful act of picking up lost property and returning it to its owner.

As soon as we entered the house, we were surprised because the newly built house was spacious but inside it was very lonely, with only 4 walls and a few old furniture.

We were greeted by Bui Vo Thao Nhi (17 years old, Mrs. Mai's eldest daughter). Nhi said that her parents had saved up to build the new house more than 3 years ago. Not long after the construction was completed, her father passed away due to a serious illness.

"For the past two years, my mother has had to work all by herself, farming and working for hire to raise three children and pay off the unpaid house loan," Nhi said, crying.

Quickly wiping away her tears, Nhi took us to the apple field where Mrs. Vo Thi Ngoc Mai was busy cutting branches to spray pesticides. This was also where Mrs. Mai picked up a wallet containing money and gold worth more than 400 million VND that had been dropped by its owner.

Cash and gold assets worth more than 400 million VND were returned to the owner - Photo: Ninh Thuan Police

Before that, on the evening of February 2 (January 5), after taking care of the apple orchard and returning home, Mrs. Mai discovered a black wallet lying near her parking space, right on the side of the road. Seeing that there was property inside, she waited for a long time hoping that the person who dropped it would come back to find it and return it.

"I kept the wallet wherever I picked it up so I left it at the apple farm to report to the authorities. Luckily, the person who lost it was also contacting me to get the wallet back, so I took everyone to the apple farm to get the wallet back," said Ms. Mai.

This woman, who is about to turn 50, said that although her family is poor and their income only comes from her ^1,000m2 apple orchard and her salary from working as a hired hand, every time she finds something lost, she always looks for the owner to return it.

According to Mrs. Mai, this was the third time she had found lost property. Before that, she had also found a wallet and a gold necklace but promptly returned them to the owner.

"At times like that, I simply think that if it's not my money, I shouldn't be greedy. I must definitely return it to the person who lost it, because the person who lost it must be very sad," said Ms. Mai.

Ms. Tran Dang Hoai Nhien (31 years old, in Truong Tho village, Phuoc Hau commune), who lost a wallet containing a large amount of property, emotionally said that she was very grateful for Ms. Mai's action of finding the lost property and returning it to its owner.

"I thought I had lost a large amount of property but luckily got it back. I don't know what to say other than to sincerely thank Ms. Vo Thi Ngoc Mai, a person with an extremely noble gesture," said Ms. Nhien.

A shining example of spreading love

Currently, Mrs. Mai's family situation is very difficult. She is the main breadwinner to support her 3 children's education - Photo: AN ANH

Mr. Phuong, a neighbor of Mrs. Mai, said that she lived happily with everyone all year round, so everyone loved her. Her husband passed away, leaving behind 3 young children and a difficult family situation. She worked hard to send her 3 daughters to school (the oldest daughter is currently in 11th grade, the youngest is only in 4th grade).

"Hearing that she picked up a large sum of money and returned it to the person who lost it, I admire Mrs. Mai. Her actions are also a shining example for her children and everyone to follow," said Mr. Phuong.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online , Mr. Nguyen Nhu Hung Triet - Vice Chairman of Phuoc Hau Commune People's Committee - said that Ms. Mai and her family always complied with local regulations, lived in harmony and often helped others. Despite her difficult circumstances, her case has not been considered poor or near-poor.

"Mrs. Mai's act of picking up lost property and returning it to its owner has made many people admire her. This is also a meaningful act with profound humanistic values, helping to multiply good stories and good actions for local people to learn and follow," said Mr. Triet.

As reported by Tuoi Tre Online , on the evening of February 2, Phuoc Hau Commune Police received a report from Ms. Tran Dang Hoai Nhien (31 years old, in Truong Tho village, Phuoc Hau commune) about the loss of her property, a black wallet containing cash and gold worth more than 400 million VND.

Through the police information system, Ms. Vo Thi Ngoc Mai (49 years old, living in the same village of Truong Tho) contacted the commune police to hand over the found property and return it to the owner that same night.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/gia-canh-kho-khan-cua-nguoi-phu-nu-goa-bua-nhat-tai-san-400-trieu-dong-tra-lai-nguoi-danh-mat-20250205123926092.htm