A 71-year-old man in Vietnam was reportedly found abandoned outside a pagoda in Hai Phong alongside a handwritten note asking monks to take care of him due to his worsening health condition.
The incident drew public attention after security camera footage allegedly showed the elderly man being left outside Dong Pagoda by his daughter before she drove away.
According to local reports, the elderly man was unable to walk properly and was suffering from serious health issues when he arrived at the temple.
Monks at the pagoda later found him sitting outside the premises with the note beside him.
Monks Cleaned And Treated Elderly Man Before Alerting Authorities
After discovering the man, monks at Dong Pagoda reportedly cleaned him up and provided temporary care while notifying local authorities about the situation.
The abbot later explained that although the pagoda was willing to help temporarily, the elderly man required specialised medical attention and long-term support that the temple could not adequately provide.
Authorities subsequently launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the abandonment.
The case quickly sparked discussions online in Vietnam, with many netizens expressing sympathy for the elderly man while others questioned the family’s circumstances.
Family Reportedly Facing Severe Financial Difficulties
Police investigations later revealed that the family had allegedly been struggling financially for an extended period.
According to officials, the daughter who left the man at the pagoda was reportedly suffering from kidney failure herself while also caring for a newborn child.
Local authorities said the family was facing severe hardship and may have felt overwhelmed by the elderly man’s medical needs and daily care requirements.
Officials eventually helped reunite the elderly man with his family after discussions were held with relatives and local agencies.
Authorities also reminded the public that Vietnamese law places responsibility on family members to care for elderly relatives. At the same time, welfare officers encouraged the family to seek available social assistance and healthcare support programmes instead of abandoning vulnerable relatives.
The incident has since reignited conversations in Vietnam about elderly care, rising medical costs, and the growing pressures faced by low-income families caring for ageing parents and sick family members simultaneously.