Ho Chi Minh City construction worker donates blood for 101st time after 30 years

For Le Trung Hau, a construction worker who has spent around 30 years earning a living through manual labor, donating blood has become a familiar part of life.

On Sunday, Hau rode his motorbike from neighboring Tay Ninh Province, where he was helping renovate a house, back to his home in Dong Thanh Commune, Ho Chi Minh City, before heading to the Humanitarian Blood Donation Center on Thien Phuoc Street in Tan Hoa Ward.

There, he completed the registration procedures and received a medical consultation before giving blood for the 101st time.

What began as a Youth Union activity more than 30 years ago has since become a lifelong commitment.

Hau first donated blood while participating in Youth Union activities in the former District 10 of Ho Chi Minh City. Realizing that his blood could help people in need, he continued donating and encouraged fellow Youth Union members and neighborhood residents to do the same.

His mother also joined the effort, donating blood about 15 times before reaching the age limit.

But persuading others to donate was not always easy.

"Back then, it was difficult to persuade people to donate blood. Someone even threatened me for taking their child to donate blood," Hau recalled.

Among his more than 100 donations, one experience stands out: donating blood at a hospital more than a decade ago to help save a young boy undergoing surgery.

"I was overjoyed when I heard the boy had recovered," he said.

Hau has worked as a construction laborer for around 30 years and now lives with his mother, who is in her 70s.

Aware that good health is essential to continuing his donations, he makes an effort to rest properly and look after himself outside working hours.

Despite more than three decades of giving blood, Hau has never considered stopping. For him, knowing that his blood can help someone through a difficult time is reward enough.

"As long as I'm still eligible and healthy enough, I'll continue donating. If I can help, I will," he said.