As the impacts of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic are felt across all aspects of the society, the best qualities of the Vietnamese people shine through: perseverance, altruism, and selflessness in times of hardship.

The peaceful life of Thuy Ai and her husband Nguyen Phan, of Binh Chanh District in Ho Chi Minh City, was turned upside down from the onset of the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19.

At first, the kindergarten teacher lost her job when her school was shuttered after Tet, or the Lunar New holiday, in early February.

Nearly two months later, Phan, a taxi driver, was also furloughed as the city began banning all taxis from April as part of enhanced social distancing measures to curb the spread of the virus.

But living expenses do not just pay themselves, and a day without income meant a day eating into their savings for the couple.

Ai quickly dabbed her feet into running a food stand selling banh mi (Vietnamese stuffed baguette), banh uot (steamed rice batter served with sweetened fish sauce) and banh trang tron (rice paper salad), while Phan became her deliveryman aside from working as a day laborer at construction sites.

Despite their own struggles, Ai and Phan spend a large part of their time these days helping benefactors locate those less fortunate in their neighborhood in Binh Hung Commune, Binh Chanh District for charity trips to give away food and presents.

“The intact leaves protect the tattered ones” is a Vietnamese proverb that encapsulates the altruistic nature of the people.

Ai and Phan are the perfect embodiment of that characteristic, but they are by no means the only ones.

Many other Vietnamese citizens are ready to give help to someone who may be in difficult circumstances without seeking any benefits for themselves during the ongoing pandemic.

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