
Studying to become a teacher has been Nhan’s dream since childhood – Photo: DOAN NHAN
“Lottery Ticket Nhi” is the name some traders in Non Nuoc market (Da Nang) often call Phan Thi Hoi Nhi (18 years old).
The day she received the news that Nihi had passed Da Nang University of Education, her mother cried with joy, tears flowing from her eyes in indescribable joy. All the traders in Non Nuoc market (Da Nang) were very happy after hearing the news.
Mom didn’t leave me, I didn’t leave school
Nihi’s mother, Mrs. Le Thi Ngoc Hoang (51 years old), recalled painful memories from 18 years ago. That day, no matter how determined her husband was, she still hugged her pregnant belly, ran out of the clinic, wiped away her tears, and gave up the thought of giving up the shapeless drop of blood.
Because her family is very poor, Nihi’s birth will put an additional burden on the entire family for food and clothing. But loving her children, Mrs. Hong decided to keep her youngest daughter, Hoi Ni.
From that day on, her husband left, and Mrs. Hong started working selling lottery tickets at the Non Nuoc market to support her four children. Nee was born when the life of mother and child was very difficult. Mrs. Hong not only raised her children, but also had to bear the burden of her elderly father and half-conscious sister.
The small and dilapidated house, located in a small street, is home to 7 people. Later, Ms. Hong’s first three children left school early and found manual labor jobs far away. Life was also difficult for those who had husbands and children.
Nihi’s house is full of foul smell, and in front of her are piles of cardboard and bottles that the mother and child had collected. On the altar is a photograph of my grandmother who recently passed away, and this is also where Nihi’s rickety study desk is located. The sleeping area for mother and child was only a few feet wide, enough to accommodate the mattress and damaged wardrobe, which Mrs. Hong asked to return home.
When he was young, he followed his mother everywhere, often eating instant noodles after coming home from school and then going with his mother to sell lottery tickets. From childhood to adulthood, I never heard you complain. Only whenever he hears someone mention him leaving school to help his mother, his eyes become moist.
Mrs. Hong, Hoi Nee’s mother
Ms. Hong pointed to the wall, which was plastered with cement mortar in an attempt to cover vertical and horizontal cracks: “There is no man in the house, so if there are any cracks, I bought cement and plastered it again.” If it did, it’s dirty like that.”
From a young age, Nihi once went to school and once went to sell lottery tickets with her mother. One day Nihi worked as a street vendor in a pub, picking up scraps and bottles on the roadside. Nee looks dark but is always smiling, the traders at Non Nuoc market love her very much.

Children help their mothers collect scraps and bottles on the way to sell lottery tickets to earn some extra money – Photo: DOAN NHAN
They named it “Not a Lottery Ticket”. During her childhood years, Nihi never missed a job, from helping sell rice, selling incense at the temple, washing utensils at parties… Nihi was agile and hard-working, so she was loved by everyone she met. Used to love.
Mrs. Hong’s eyes lit up when she recounted the story of her son’s college admissions. “When he was young, he followed his mother everywhere. Many times he would come home from school and eat instant noodles and then go with his mother to sell lottery tickets. As a child, I never heard him complain. Haven’t heard of doing it. Only when I heard of someone mentioning dropping out of school.” Please help me, my eyes are full of tears” – said Mrs Hong.
Don’t wait for luck to strike a life-changing “lottery ticket.”
After selling lottery tickets for more than 10 years, Nihi said that she once wished to win a lottery ticket to rebuild her mother’s house.
“But my mother said that lottery tickets are only lucky for predestined people. If your family is not lucky, you should not rely on lottery tickets. It will not help your future, but only by studying can you Can get it.” Can change your own life” – shared Nhi.
With her mother’s advice, Nihi always tries her best every day, trying to learn and practice. Ni said that before, she felt very sad when she saw her friends happy and satisfied, but now she feels a little less fortunate than others. The more difficult it is, the more motivated he is to try.
During his three years in high school, Nihi achieved excellent student results. In 2023 alone, Nihi won many awards such as: Best Student in School, Outstanding Comprehensive Student at City Level, Third Best Student at City Level, Outstanding Student in Literature at City Level… along with many more. Literary and Sports Writing Awards.
Knowing that Nihi’s situation was difficult, the teachers also helped wholeheartedly. Someone gives me free tuition, someone calls philanthropists to support me. Nee was happy to say that a donor had asked to give him an old motorcycle.
Last summer, thanks to that motorcycle, Nihi landed several tutoring positions during the day, and was asked to serve at restaurants and parties. In the evening, twice a week, I teach orphans for free at the Hoa Mai shelter, about 3 km from home.
Now, Nihi regularly runs 20 km to school every day. Someone told him to rent a room near the school so that going to school would be less difficult. But Nihi decided to go home to be closer to her mother. Because his mother has been continuously ill since a traffic accident.
Partly because she worked very hard, had irregular eating habits and endured long periods of hardship, she suffered from a number of ailments ranging from bone and joint diseases, stomach ulcers and gallstones. Nee goes to school but is always worried when she gets a call from a strange number informing her that her mother has fainted on the way to sell lottery tickets.
NI passed the university entrance examination with 27 points, majoring in History and Geography Pedagogy. Nihi said she chose this subject partly because she did not have to worry about tuition fees, and most of all, to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher who would help underprivileged students in a similar situation to her. .
Ms. Le Dinh Thi Thanh, Hoi Nhi’s high school homeroom teacher said that Nhi is a student who studies hard and is good at all subjects, actively participating in sports and school union movements.
,Even though my family situation is extremely difficult, I am a determined student always willing to improve. In class, Nihi is an energetic, enthusiastic student who always helps her friends. I’m really impressed by Hoi Nhi. I am a capable, responsible and progressive person” – Ms Thanh said.
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