A decade of giving: This man delivers mooncakes to patients in Ho Chi Minh City

This year, he and a team of fellow lecturers and students prepared 300 mooncakes, along with gifts, milk, and VND400,000 (US$15) in cash, delivering them to patients at some hospitals in the southern metropolis.

Mooncakes are commonly given as a gift during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam, which is also known as the 'Children’s Festival.’

The fest takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, falling on Monday, October 6 this year.

The recipients included child patients at Children’s Hospital 2 and patients at Thu Duc Hospital and 7A Military Hospital, all suffering from chronic kidney failure.

Knowing that dialysis patients must follow strict dietary restrictions, Thang worked closely with medical specialists to create a kidney-friendly version of the traditional treat – low in sugar and salt, completely free of preservatives, additives, and even eggs.

“I consulted with doctors on ensuring the ingredients would be safe,” Thang explained.

Thang’s initiative, launched in 2015, has quietly grown over the years.

Since 2019, more students from Hoa Sen University have joined the effort.

Unexpected gifts, unforgettable moments

One young patient, Huynh Ngoc Thach, was excited to receive a mooncake and gifts at Children’s Hospital 2, saying that he would bring it home to share with his family.

For Thang, such moments are bittersweet.

Over the past decade, he has formed deep bonds with many patients.

“The hardest part is when the children, too weak to speak, tell you they’re not sure if they’ll see you again,” he shared.

The years of visiting and supporting kidney patients have taught Thang that many of these children live in isolation, often falling behind in school, tethered to dialysis machines and IVs, with little time or energy for play.

In response, Thang’s project has expanded beyond just gifts and mooncakes.

He and his team organize short trips for the children – sometimes to water parks, the zoo, the beach, or even as far as Ho Tram Beach.

“Our longest trip was to Ho Tram, organized by our students. The kids laughed the whole time. It lifted everyone’s spirits,” he recalled.

“On those days, the children got to leave behind the needles, the blood tests, and the dialysis machines.

“Together with their families, they enjoyed a rare moment of happiness."