Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have called on people to stop donating money to beggars on streets and in public places to help clear away beggary.

Panhandlers in the city will be gathered at social sponsoring centers which will provide them with shelter, food and vocational training so they can become self-reliant and lead an independent life.

As of December 28, city authorities will initiate a program to group beggars into state-run homes, said Hua Ngoc Thuan, deputy chairman of the local People’s Committee, stressing that the city will carry out the program consistently.

The official added that the beggary which dropped considerably in the city has shown signs of an outbreak recently.

Most beggars are the elderly, handicapped, drug addicts and those suffering from dangerous diseases.

A recent increase in beggary

It is common now to see beggars at intersections in the southern city.

They intentionally dress dirty and act like they are suffering to expose their body defects and diseases. Some even try to make themselves more pitiable by purposefully contorting their mouth, grinding their teeth or closing their eyes.

A man named P. came to the intersection of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street and Vo Van Kiet Boulevard in District 5 and contorted his mouth and lips, mumbling something as if he could not control his body.

However, when he saw a camera pointing at him, he immediately jumped out of the crowd to keep away from the lens.

He then admitted he gets VND200,000-250,000 (US$9.6-12) a day by begging.

P. said he was taken into a beggars’ home but was later released because he was taking care of his mother.

“I won’t stay in the home if I am not allowed to beg here. I’d rather stroll around to sell lottery tickets,” he said.

At the intersection of Truong Chinh and Tay Thanh Streets in Tan Phu District, a female beggar named L. was kneeling down to beg for money.

She said she earns VND500,000-800,000 ($24-38) a day and lives in a rented house in Binh Thanh District.

“I am taken here in the morning and brought home in the evening by my nephew,” she confessed.

Old habits die hard so most beggars said they have a hard time staying at the state-run homes and continue to beg instead.

Response

Ho Chi Minh City authorities are asking people to call 3829 2491, 0903 959 929 or 3553 3258 if they see beggars on the street so that they can bring them into state-run shelters.

Beggars will be kept at the shelters for three months. If they are admitted a second time, they will be kept permanently at the facilities, according to a new decision by the city.

Authorities encourage people to donate to charitable organizations instead of giving to beggars directly.

The central city of Da Nang is the pioneer in wiping out beggary and the city was successful many years ago. It is now hard to find a beggar on Da Nang’s streets.

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