VietNamNet Bridge – A poor fisherman in HCM City who has rescued hundreds of people from Saigon River is in need of money to upgrade his boat and treat his ill wife.

The "knight" of the Saigon River.

The 56-year-old Nguyen Van Chuc has saved 200 people from drowning and returned hundreds of bodies from the river to their families. Chuc and his wife, Nguyen Thi Hinh have lived most of their lives on the small boat, only 4.2 square metres wide.

Chuc followed his father to the southern region and started a new life as a fisherman at the age of eight. In this area Binh Loi Bridge is known as a place where the most desperate come to take their own lives.  

Chuc and his wife have been committed to helping these people for years. No matter the time or the weather they will immediately come to the rescue as soon as they hear some one jumped or fell into the river. "I'll save them first, then I'll ask them their reasons for wanting to commit suicide. Sometimes, I couldn't make it in time, but I'll still want to find their bodies at least." Chuc said.

Chuc is known as a "knight" of the Saigon River.

There are people want Chuc and his wife to be their godparents after they are saved but Chuc said he does not ask for anything in return. "How can I ask them anything? They try commit suicide because they're at the end of their rope." he said.

Chuc said in April, they heard someone calling for help and saved a young girl from drowning. After coming to, the girl revealed that she was in love with a man in HCM City. She wanted to die because of an impossible love.

A Certificate of Merit was granted to Chuc for his brave actions.

Most recently, on September 18, Chuc and his wife heard passers-by screaming out that some one had jumped. But despite their effort, their old and outdated boat was unable to arrive to the location in time. Chuc said they were unable to sleep that night wondering if their boat had only been faster they could have saved the victim. The body was found two days later.  

"This boat has been with us for over 40 years. It's really old now and can't fight with the waves anymore. We want to be refurbished so it can be faster," Chuc said. "I think a plastic boat would be better for rescue but I only earn VND100,000 (USD4.8) a day and my wife has diabetes, which also takes money to treat. How can I come up with VND20 million for a new boat?"

The old boat.

People living near the area also want to help their call for support from other kind people so that Chuc and his wife can save more people.

If you want to help him, please donate through:

1. Code 1173: Nguyen Van Chuc (or Ba Chuc) fisherman in a village under Binh Loi Bridge, Ward 13, Binh Thanh District, HCM City.

Tel: 0909.850.546

2. Compassionate Hearts Charity Fund – Dan tri Newspaper (Hanoi)

No. 2/48 Giang Vo Str., Dong Da Dist., Hanoi

Tel: 04. 3. 7366.491/ Fax: 04. 3. 7366.490

Email:[email protected]

 * Vietnam Dong Account information at Vietcombank:

Account holder: Bao Khuyen hoc & Dan tri

Account number: 045 100 194 4487

With Bank: THE BANK FOR FOREIGN TRADE OF VIETNAM  – Thanh Cong Branch

* US Dollar Account information at Vietcombank:

Account holder: Bao Khuyen hoc & Dan tri

Account number: 045 137 195 6482

SWIFT Code: BFTVVNVX

With Bank:  THE BANK FOR FOREIGN TRADE OF VIETNAM

 * Vietnam Dong Account information at Vietinbank:

Account holder: Bao Khuyen hoc & Dan tri

Account number: 10 201 0000 220 639

With Bank: Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade – Hoan Kiem Branch

 * US Dollar Account information at MB Bank:

Account holder: Bao Khuyen hoc & Dan tri

Account number: 0721100357002

SWIFT Code: MSCBVNVX

With Bank: MILITARY COMMERCIAL JOINT STOCK BANK - MCSB ( No.3, Lieu Giai str., Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam)

 3. Dantri representative offices

Ha Tinh representative office: 46 Nguyen Cong Tru, Tan Giang Ward, Ha Tinh City. Tel: 039.3857.112

Da Nang representative office: 25 Nguyen TriPhuong, Thanh Khe Dist., Da Nang City. Tel: 0511.3653.725

Ho Chi Minh City representative office: 39L Street 11, Ward 3, Binh Thanh Dist, Hochiminh City. Tel: 08. 66786. 885

Can Tho representative office: 53/13 Ly Tu Trong, Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho City. Tel: 071.3.733.269

Source: DTriNews