Police in Nam Giang District, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam have honored a local man for rescuing a family of four from a stream last week.

The police department has planned to recommend that the Quang Nam chairman and other relevant units further recognize the brave act of Le Van Hoi, a 36-year-old native of Nam Giang, an official said on Wednesday.

Hoi came to the aid of Le Thi Huong and her three family members on May 3, when she and her five-year-old son, aunt, and husband fell into Cong Doan Stream in Quang Nam’s Dong Giang District. 

None of them could swim.

Huong’s family was enjoying their visit to the stream before the son slipped into the water.

Huong, her aunt, and her husband all tried to rescue the child, but none of them were able to swim and instead found themselves calling for help.  

Hoi, the first to hear their cries, jumped into the water and pushed the aunt, son, and husband to shore before swimming to Huong’s aid.

He then left the scene.

Huong managed to reach out to Hoi and visit his house to express her gratitude.

“You are a brave and intelligent individual who acted swiftly and efficiently to rescue us from drowning,” Huong said in her letter to Hoi, which was also shared with police in Nam Giang District. 

“My family and I were fortunate to have met such a kind-hearted person, and we are extremely grateful to you. 

“We expect that authorities will recognize and commend you for your heroic action.”

In response, police officers in Nam Giang presented awards to Hoi on Tuesday as a way of showing respect.

“I saw Huong’s family struggling in the water and immediately acted to save them, without considering the risk to my own life,” Hoi told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. 

“I quickly dove into the water and pushed everyone to the shore, after that, I was completely exhausted. 

“After successfully rescuing them, I felt a sense of joy and happiness.”

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