Over the past 3 months, many residents in Da Nang, especially those who often return home late at night, have been used to seeing a group of young people offer free-of-charge punctured and flat tyre repair services. Late into the night or so early in the morning, regardless of unfavourable weather, members of the ‘Bao dem’ (Leopards of the Night) team always race against time to help stranded motorcyclists as much as they can.

'Bao dem’ members fixing a punctured motorbike tyre at night

It was around midnight early this month that the tyre of his motorbike burst on a street in the city. At that time, Tran Duc Anh, a first-year student from the city-based University of Science and Technology, was on the verge of panicking when another road user gave him the hotline of ‘Bao dem’. Just 10 minutes later, 2 ‘repairmen’ showed up and helped him. They took out their tools and got the job done in exactly 10 minutes.

Surprised and happy that he was helped at this time of the night, Anh was astonished when these men did not ask to pay for repairs. Such beautiful stories are legion for this voluntary rescue team.

According to team leader Le Ngoc Tuan Anh, a 24-year-old resident from Hoa Hiep Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District, 6-member ‘Bao dem’ went into operation early May this year. “I, like everyone else in the team, witnessed motorbikes suffering punctured tyres late at night on empty streets.

At that time, helpless motorcyclists had to pushing their heavy motorbikes or scooters, frantically looking for repair shops near their location or just needing someone who can help them on the spot. This fact inspired us to come up with a good decision to set up the ‘Bao dem’ team”, said Anh.

During the initial period, the ‘repairmen’ only offer their punctured and flat tyre repair services at some locations in the vicinity of the Hai Van Pass because there were few repair shops here. Afterwards, they expanded their operation into the city centre in a bid to repair more distressed vehicles.

In reality, repair service at midnight typically cost a lot. At midnight, mobile vehicle repair workers touting for business at midnight often require about 50,000 VND - 100,000 VND for a tyre patch. Actually, such a charge is too expensive for low-income earners to pay. 

A member of the rescue team (left) and a stranded motorcyclist

The team’s evening shift lasts from 6:00pm to 6:00am the next morning. They are usually on duty along sections of the 1A National Highway stretching from the suburban Cam Le District- located Red Bridge to Hai Van Pass, in downtown areas, and along coastal routes linking to Hoi An. As soon as they receive information about an emergency, vehicle type, location and other details, the members would head out.

Every night, the team’s members offer repair to up to 20 cases of distressed motorbikes. They always strive to reach the scene as soon as possible. Depending on the issue, these ‘repairmen’ fix the puncture on-the-spot or replaces the flat tyre with a functional spare one, if available. In case of severe tyre/beading damage and unavailability of a functional spare, they will recommend towing the vehicle to the nearest repair shop.

In particular, medical bandages and disinfectants are available in the team’s repair kit with the intention of promptly provide first aid for possible road crash victims.

Late last month, the team’s members successfully rescued a female student who suffered severe injures in an unexpected accident due to heavy rains and road slipperiness. The rescuers, in a very prompt fashion, rushed the victim to hospital for treatment.

The group’s operating budget come from public donations. Half of this is used to buy tools and equipment for vehicle repair, whilst the rest go to the organisation of charities  as a way to send their great love and profound sympathy for unfortunate fates in society.

On the occasion of the recent Mid-Autumn Fest, for example, the group presented gifts, containing cakes, candy and lanterns each, to 120 orphaned children being cared for at the city-based Quang Chau Pagoda.

Amidst their happiness to help others, ‘Bao dem’ members still face somewhat embarrassing moments, especially as their parents were unhappy about their children coming home late. Besides, in some cases, the young men reach the rescue of motorcyclists stranded in remote locations at midnight with looming menaces. Regardless of these unfavourable conditions, they have no intention of leaving the team.

Bui Ngoc Anh, the Head of the Hoa Hiep Nam Ward Police in Lien Chieu District promised that his unit would continue to monitor the ‘Bao dem’ team’s operation and provide security support for it if needed. “If the team operate more effectively, we will offer financial assistances to it for the purchases of more repair tools”, affirmed Anh.