Stemming from sympathy with immigrant students in difficult circumstances, Mr. Hoai Thanh, a barber who comes from Dong Nai Province, is offering free accommodation support for these students in Da Nang. His kind gesture has touched many people in the city.

Mr. Hoai Thanh rented a spacious house equipped with basic furniture to allow immigrant students in difficult circumstances in Da Nang to stay for free. Photo: N.H

Accommodation support for disadvantaged immigrant students

Mr. Hoai Thanh has written a housing offer which says: “Free housing is being offered to poor immigrant students in Da Nang to support them from enrollment until graduation. Hopefully, this offer will assist immigrant male students as much as possible. Students in difficult circumstances and studying hard are eligible for this offer”. He has shared his written offer on social media, and has captured the attention from the online community in recent days. His written housing offer has attracted more than 25,000 followers on social media.

He was born and raised in a family living in a poor mountainous commune in Dinh Quan District, Dong Nai Province. He lived with his mom as his father had passed away. He left home for Ho Chi Minh City to make a living at age 9 because of his difficult family conditions. In this big city, the fatherless boy underwent all sorts of work, including street lottery ticket seller, shoe shiner, motorbike taxi driver, garment worker, and barber to earn money to make ends meet. Therefore, he fully understands the difficulties and hardships of those who live in rented accommodation while studying or working in a strange city more than anyone else.

He confided: "Coming from a poor background, I had to do many jobs to have enough money to go to school when I was a little boy. During my first days in Ho Chi Minh City, I lived in a slum to save money. Every month, I was worried about paying rent and I was unable to get it done in time. Hence, I understand the difficulties poor immigrant students are facing, so I try to work hard and save money to offer free accommodation to them."

From a poor barber, Thanh has become the founder and manager of the Dong Tay Barbershop brand or Barbershop Chain across the country. After conducting a survey trip to Da Nang to open a branch in 2021, he decided to rent a small house located at alley No. K87/9 on Me Nhu Street, Thanh Khe Tay Ward, Thanh Khe District, in order to use it as free housing for poor students.

“During my time giving free haircuts to university students in Da Nang, I have come to know that there are many very poor students who have to do a part-time job but still do not have enough money to pay rent and cover their living expenses. Therefore, I rented a small house with a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen, a toilet, as well placed 3 additional bunk beds, along with equipped this house with basic furniture, and set up internet here. I rented this house for 5 years, and I will allow 6-8 male students to stay in this house for free. Hopefully, this offer will provide stable housing for poor students so that they can study with peace of mind and release their rent burdens," Mr. Thanh shared about his plan.

Nguyen Van Hung, a resident of Vinh Linh District, Quang Tri Province who is a first-year student at the Duy Tan University, said he feels very happy and lucky to receive the help from Mr. Thanh.

"As a student living far from home, my family is living in difficult circumstances, so Mr. Thanh's offer helps me save money to pay for my studies and reduce the financial burden on my parents. I will try my best to study hard to have a good job in the future so that I can help others in the same situation ", Hung said.

Kind gesture of the barber

Few people know that, apart from his kind gesture towards poor students, the fatherless barber is also a familiar member of a volunteer organization in Ho Chi Minh City. Having experienced difficulties and deprivation, he is determined to help others in the same situation. Before renting a house for students in Da Nang to stay for free, Mr. Thanh had conducted many charity programs. For example, in 2018, he opened a free hair salon for ride-hailing drivers. This charity model has been developed across the country. Mr. Thanh has also set up mobile barber shops and hair salons in about 30 schools nationwide in order to offer cheap haircuts at only VND 2,000.

Four years ago, Mr. Thanh used money from savings during his 20 years of working hard in Ho Chi Minh City to buy his first 30m² house to offer free accommodation to poor workers, labourers and students. His kind gesture towards the poor has deeply impressed many people. In recent years, he has continuously conducted charity programs and granted scholarships to school pupils and college students who come from mountainous areas. He believes that by giving back, individuals can create a lasting legacy of meaningful change and help improve the lives of others..

"Happiness is found in helping others. When we do, then the more we give, the more we stand to gain purpose, meaning and happiness—all of the things that we look for in life but are so hard to find. The joy of helping others motivates me to try to work harder in order to provide support for those in need,” Mr. Thanh remarked.

Reporting by NGAN HA – Translating by H.L