The one who spreads the fire of goodness

Besides, he also fueled my enthusiasm and that of many other generations of students through volunteer activities, helping those in need have more motivation to pursue education.

Mr. Do Thanh Tuan (born in 1981) is working at Nguyen Thai Binh Secondary School in Xuan Loc District, Dong Nai Province. My teacher is tall, has a gentle and kind face. He is always cheerful and optimistic no matter what difficult circumstances he faces. He is a person with great passion for teaching. That is clearly seen through many generations of us, the children who have been raised by our father with great care. The image of a young teacher full of enthusiasm for the profession is forever imprinted in my mind even though more than 20 years have passed.

- Ảnh 1. — Teacher Tuan (first person on the left) during a charity event

My teacher is also a person who lives wholeheartedly for the community. During his teaching career, he met many students in difficult circumstances who had to drop out of school to help their families make a living, including me - who thought he would have to stop his education midway through his final year of secondary school. After I was absent for countless excuses, he went to my house to encourage my parents and me to try to pursue education, but the burden of making a living kept me going even though I didn't want to. I secretly cried my pillow many nights thinking about having to quit school tomorrow. I thought my life would be spent on the fields covered in rain and wind. My parents were not happy either. They longed for and understood better than anyone that only education could help their children escape poverty, but in the end, they were still two haggard, pensive faces filled with helplessness.

One sunny Sunday morning, the teacher visited my family again, and tried to persuade my parents to let me go back to school. He paid my tuition. Happiness burst out on my mother's sunburned cheeks. The sun shone brightly in my father's eyes, and I was so happy that I smiled but tears fell from my eyes for some reason. The teacher smiled gently, patted my head, and encouraged me: "Don't let your parents and teachers down! Your priority now is studying. I'm here, don't worry."

And I did not let my teacher down when I successfully completed my university program with all my efforts and determination to overcome all difficulties and challenges. I did not let down my teacher's efforts and my parents' expectations to go beyond the small sky to a larger place.

- Ảnh 2. — Teacher Tuan (standing on the far right) and his colleagues give gifts to students from disadvantaged families.

At that time, Mr. Tuan was just a young teacher with a salary just enough to cover his living expenses in the mountainous countryside, but he always had in his heart concerns and thoughts about how to help his students reduce the burden of making a living, so that they could return to writing (like me). He realized that one hand cannot clap. So he did not hesitate to call for and mobilize from colleagues, from former students who were now successful, from local businesses. So the meaningful charity programs initiated by him began like that. He was happy to receive the trust and support of everyone.

Bicycles were given to students in difficult circumstances, helping the road to school not be too far anymore. Scholarships and scholarship funds were always maintained by the teacher year after year. Charity houses, filled with many kind hearts, were built beautifully and meaningfully to help children and their families have a place to live, work and study with peace of mind.

Last summer, I had the opportunity to visit my hometown and conveniently stopped by my teacher's house. During the conversation that lasted the whole session, I asked him what motivated him to do such a meaningful and ever-expanding good deed. He smiled gently and said: "It is compassion, the fire of goodness that always burns in me as well as in you and people like us." When he saw pitiful but studious situations but could not help, he would lose sleep and appetite forever. He said that this work of calling for support and connecting volunteers really needed the two words "fate", not everyone could do this, we must have enough fate, enough trust so that people would dare to put their trust, money and confidence in us to support each difficult situation. His smile was always present when he told about the situations that, thanks to his support, now have some achievements, at least in studying, on the path of pursuing knowledge.

Listening to him share, I truly respect him very much. I always consider him as a second father, who always kindly guides his children to become good people and become talented. Now, he also spreads the flame of love that always burns in his heart to everyone around him, including me, the child who always admires his respected father. The flame of kindness will be passed from him to us and to future generations. It will last forever so that this life will always be beautiful.

The fifth Living Well Writing Contest was held to encourage people to write about noble actions that have helped individuals or communities. This year, the contest focused on praising individuals or groups that have performed acts of kindness, bringing hope to those in difficult circumstances.

The highlight is the new environmental award category, honoring works that inspire and encourage action for a green, clean living environment. Through this, the Organizing Committee hopes to raise public awareness in protecting the planet for future generations.

The contest has diverse categories and prize structure, including:

Article categories: Journalism, reportage, notes or short stories, no more than 1,600 words for articles and 2,500 words for short stories.

Articles, reports, notes:

- 1 first prize: 30,000,000 VND

- 2 second prizes: 15,000,000 VND

- 3 third prizes: 10,000,000 VND

- 5 consolation prizes: 3,000,000 VND

Short story:

- 1 first prize: 30,000,000 VND

- 1 second prize: 20,000,000 VND

- 2 third prizes: 10,000,000 VND

- 4 consolation prizes: 5,000,000 VND

Photo category: Submit a photo series of at least 5 photos related to volunteer activities or environmental protection, along with the name of the photo series and a short description.

- 1 first prize: 10,000,000 VND

- 1 second prize: 5,000,000 VND

- 1 third prize: 3,000,000 VND

- 5 consolation prizes: 2,000,000 VND

Most Popular Prize: 5,000,000 VND

Prize for Excellent Essay on Environmental Topic: 5,000,000 VND

Honored Character Award: 30,000,000 VND

The deadline for submissions is October 16, 2025. The works will be evaluated through the preliminary and final rounds with the participation of a jury of famous names. The organizing committee will announce the list of winners on the "Beautiful Life" page. See detailed rules at thanhnien.vn .

Organizing Committee of the Beautiful Living Contest