In recent days, social media has been abuzz with a photo of a white-haired man working as a shipper, standing under the scorching sun in HCM City to pick up deliveries.

The poster said she booked a shipper to deliver goods to a customer, and when she checked the driver’s profile on the app, she saw an elderly man.

When she met him in person, she felt even more sympathy. His skin was suntanned, and his frame slight. His hands trembled as he tapped on his phone. 

“Today, under the blazing sun, this man was still riding outside. He whispered that he’s trying to support his son in grade 12,” she wrote.

After reading the story, netizens left many heartfelt comments. Many asked for the man’s phone number to offer financial support or book his services.

The photo poster, Tran Thanh Van, from HCM City, recounted that around 2.30 pm on June 23 she booked a shipper to deliver goods. She chatted with him and gave him some extra money.

Later, Van shared the story and photo with her younger sister, hoping he would get more orders. Minutes later, her sister posted the image with a short caption.

The post went viral, spreading across social media platforms.

“Many people called him to offer money or book rides, but he refused them all. He was very straightforward and proud.

“Initially, I shared the story innocently, hoping he’d earn more. Now, I worry my actions might have caused him trouble,” Van said.

The shipper in Van’s story is D.T.L., 76, from HCM City.

L. said that in recent days, many people called to offer help. However, he only expressed gratitude for their kindness and declined any financial support.

He said: “My family has faced hardship for a long time, not just recently. But I think it’s normal. If others can get by, so can my family”.

“As long as I’m healthy, I’ll keep working to support my son. I can still work, so I can provide for my family. I’m worried the social media buzz might cause unnecessary misunderstandings,” he added.

In his youth, L. drove container trucks. In his 40s, he switched to working as a security guard. He married late and had a child at an older age.

When his son started school, L. found the fixed hours of a security job inconvenient for school pickups. So, he became a motorbike taxi driver, then a shipper.

L.’s wife works as a domestic helper, earning a stable VND5 million per month. He said that, though their income is modest, it’s enough to get by and support their son’s education.

Ha Nguyen