Born in 1994 in Ba Vi, Hanoi, Phung Van Minh grew up in a poverty-stricken family. From birth, he suffered from visual impairment and could see only with one eye. Despite this challenge, Minh excelled academically and nurtured a dream of becoming a teacher.
However, a life-altering event struck when Minh was 10 years old. His vision progressively deteriorated until he could no longer see the blackboard. He had to write his notes three times larger than usual just to be able to read them, but even such efforts could not save his dream of continuing his education. By the end of the third grade, he could no longer read even the large letters he painstakingly wrote in his notebook. Forced to drop out of school, Minh's world seemed to collapse. Standing by the fence, listening to his friends call out to each other on their way to school, he felt an overwhelming sense of sorrow.
Minh's story became even more heartbreaking when his mother left without a trace. He often stood by that same fence, longing for her return, yearning for her embrace and comfort. “I thought she would come back after five or six months like before. But I waited and waited... and she never came back”, Minh recounted with deep sadness.
At the age of 13, tragedy struck again when Minh's father passed away in a workplace accident. Orphaned and separated from his younger brother, Minh had to rely on the kindness of relatives. He lived with his aunt and grandmother, while his younger brother stayed with an uncle.
Despite immense loss and hardship, Minh refused to give up. At 18, he decided to move to Hanoi to learn massage therapy, hoping to use his hands to earn a living and support others with disabilities. After years of perseverance, Phung Van Minh established the Linh Dan Blind Massage Center, providing employment and new hope to many blind people.
The Station of Love program, with the theme “Light Within the Heart”, captured Minh's moving journey. During the show, he performed an emotional bamboo flute solo of “Seeing Mother in My Dreams”, resonating with his childhood memories of growing up without his mother.
Minh explained his philosophy: “I strive to accept what I have and maintain the most positive outlook possible. Adversity is not a stumbling block, but a driving force to move forward”.
In a touching segment, Minh’s younger brother made a surprise appearance after a year of separation. For the first time, the two brothers posed for a photo together, preserving the precious moments of their reunion.
During the program, Minh revealed that his goal is not only to sustain himself but also to help others. He actively participates in charity activities, offers free classes for the visually impaired, and teaches them how to use computers to enhance their job prospects. In 2024, Minh was recognized as one of 38 outstanding young people with disabilities in the “Shining Vietnamese Willpower” program, organized by the Vietnam Youth Federation and TCP Vietnam. Minh is also involved in numerous community projects, spreading the message that “giving is everlasting”.
When asked about his future aspirations, Phung Van Minh expressed his desire to transform Linh Dan into a comprehensive support center for people with disabilities, offering vocational training and psychological counseling. He hopes to help the visually impaired discover their inner light and build confidence to overcome the darkness in their lives.
Additionally, Minh plans to expand free music, arts, and technology classes for the visually impaired to help them to discover their hidden potential.
In the final moments of the program, Dieu Linh, a close friend of Minh, performed the song “More Than Once”. The song’s profound message of resilience in the face of challenges served as an empowering reminder for Minh and all who watched.
The Station of Love program, themed “Light Within the Heart”, featuring the inspiring story of Phung Van Minh, will air at 10:00 AM on December 21, 2024, on VTV1.
