After growing her hair for several years, an elementary school student in Phu Yen Province, south-central Vietnam has cut it off to donate to people with cancer.

A photo showing a student trimming her long, flowing hair for donation to cancer patients, particularly those in Phu Yen Province, went viral on social media on Thursday.

Huynh Tran Uyen Phuong, a third-grade student at Le Quy Don Elementary School in Dong Hoa Town, touched the hearts of many people with her act of kindness.

Hair of love

Phuong told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that she cut her beloved hair at noon on Thursday.

Her father sent the ponytail to a hair salon in Hanoi by post in the hope of showing her sympathy and sharing to those facing medically related hair loss. 

“After I went home from school, my parents took me to a nearby barbershop for a haircut to timely send the braid to Hanoi,” she recounted.

“I hope that my hair can energize cancer patients and make them more optimistic."

Her kindness stemmed from her parents’ expectation that their daughter can do good in the community.

“My parents often tell me that when my hair is long, I can part with my locks for cancer patients," she recalled. 

“They also added that though I will be sad for a trim, my hair will act as a spiritual gift for these patients.

“Since I had my hair cut, my classmates have given lots of compliments to me.

"They admired me for cutting my beloved hair that I grew for several years to donate to needy people."

Tran Thi Thanh Huyen, vice-principal at Le Quy Don Elementary School, said that Phuong is a kind, caring, and excellent student. Besides, the student enthusiastically takes part in all school programs.

“I was so surprised to see her short hair as she had donated her locks to cancer patients. Her act really touched me," Huyen said.

“I feel intensely proud of my student. Though she is still young, her deed is meaningful and warm.”

Good deed deserves praise

Phuong’s act has received many compliments from Internet users.

Facebook users commented on a post that ‘10 scores for the girl,’ ‘Her short hair is gorgeous,’ ‘How meaningful the deed is!,’ ‘What a wonderful girl!,’ and ‘Thank you for your meaningful act.’

Huynh Phi Hat, Phuong’s father, said that after having watched several clips of hair donations for cancer patients, he convinced his daughter to give away her locks.

“Phuong was born in December 2015, and this was her first trim,” he said.

“My daughter wrote a letter to patients with cancer to express her emotions after her hair donation.

"I am really proud of her act."

Tran Doan Hung, a spokesperson for the hair salon that received Phuong's donation, expressed profound admiration for the young schoolgirl's compassionate gesture.

Despite her youth, she demonstrated remarkable empathy by undertaking such a meaningful act.

Following the receipt of Phuong's hair, the barbershop promptly forwarded it to Vietnam National Cancer Hospital and Supportive Fund for the Cancer Patients – Bright Future, both in Hanoi.

Hung emphasized that the donated plait would be utilized to create wigs for cancer patients in various hospitals across Vietnam.

He underscored the significant impact of these wigs, describing them as substantial spiritual gifts that contribute to aiding cancer patients in their battle against the disease.

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