The accident
Hang was three years old when a train accident left her with near fatal injuries.
“At that moment, it felt as though everything had come to an end, as my family didn’t dare to believe that I would survive. But somehow I remained in this world.”
Hang severely injured both her hands and had to spend the next two years of her life in and out of hospital. She had few chances to learn, play and make friends, but she credits the difficulty of that time with shaping who she has become today.
“Those years of rehabilitation laid the foundation for the resilience and optimism that still define me to this day.”
But at the time, the medical bills left Hang’s family with little money to pay for food and education. So as she approached the age where most children in Vietnam begin school, it looked like she would miss out.
Hang smiling during her rehabilitation period.
Briefly Blue Dragon
“When I was five years old, after undergoing treatment, I met Blue Dragon. There, I was able to study, to be loved, to be guided, and to make friends who shared similar backgrounds. I felt like I was not alone.”
For the first time in her young life, Hang could finally just be a child. She came to the centre every day to join activities and play with her new friends.
Looking back, one of the most important parts of Hang’s experience with Blue Dragon was our support to make sure she started school at the same time as her friends.
“Because of Blue Dragon, I could begin school at the right age and avoid falling behind. In the early days of school, I was very afraid of falling behind, and of being different. But over time, I realised that as long as I gave my best effort, I could learn just as well as my peers.”
Hang eating lunch at the Blue Dragon centre.
Hang (front) playing at the Blue Dragon centre.
Hang helping to make a poster for a Blue Dragon event.
The rise
When Hang was six, she and her mother moved to a town far away from Blue Dragon, meaning she could no longer join activities at our centre like she so loved to do.
“I didn’t have many friends, so I truly considered Blue Dragon itself to be my friend, my family. Then suddenly, without really saying goodbye, I was all alone while my mother worked hard to provide for me. The change in environment shocked me quite a bit.”
Despite her shock and sadness, Hang always reminded herself how lucky she was to survive the train accident with all her mental faculties intact. As the years passed and she grew into a teenager, she used this as motivation to keep going in the toughest moments.
“That blessing constantly reminds me to live a life that is truly meaningful and to keep striving and working hard so as not to waste the second chance I’ve been given.”
Hang kept studying hard, and though she was separated from Blue Dragon, her experiences here quietly shaped the way she developed.
“Since I first met Blue Dragon, I was always curious about how the social workers could do what they do, how they could support so many children. I never stopped thinking about that in all the years I was away. And I knew that if I had the chance, I’d like to do the same work as them.”
Hang in a cafe with a friend.
The resolve
As soon as Hang became old enough to travel independently, there was one place she was set on visiting: Blue Dragon.
“For the past seven or eight years, I kept wondering if the staff and teachers were still working at Blue Dragon; if all my friends were still there. When I arrived and found so many of my friends all grown up, and so many of the old social workers still there, I felt so happy.”
At first, Hang didn’t know exactly what she wanted to do once she finished school – she only knew that she wanted to help children like the social workers who had supported her.
“After attending career guidance classes at Blue Dragon, I learned more about my strengths and realised I wanted to do social work. Then I started volunteering in Blue Dragon’s career guidance classes for children, chatting with them and strengthening their skills. After a while, I joined leadership activities and gained knowledge that helped me work with children.”
When it came time for Hang to graduate from school, she went straight into a degree in social work at a university in Hanoi.
Hang helping at a Blue Dragon sports event.
Hang on stage.
Pass it on
In 2024, a friend introduced Hang to Hieu Luu, who was supported by Blue Dragon as a child. Hieu now runs her own social enterprise, Cham Vao Xanh, supporting people living with cerebral palsy. Hang was determined to get involved.
“First, I worked at Cham Vao Xanh in media relations. After a few months, I started teaching literacy to people with cerebral palsy. While cerebral palsy doesn’t affect people’s intellectual capacity, people with disabilities often don’t have the same chances to go to school and learn basic skills. So it can be challenging and take a whole day to teach someone just two letters. You have to love it and put your heart into it.”
As her university study schedule became more intense, Hang had to leave her role at Cham Vao Xanh, but the experience has left a profound impression on her. Her dream now is to become a social worker specialising in disability and substance abuse.
“From all my experiences, I have come to understand more deeply that every opportunity I have today did not come by chance. They are the result of many hands that reached out to hold mine and many hearts that believed in me and gave me the chance to grow and contribute. I always remind myself that what I am able to do is not meant to be kept for myself but to be shared and passed on to those who need it more.”
Hang with Tan, who is supported by Blue Dragon.
Hang with Hieu Luu.
Hang supporting people with disabilities.
