Every day, it feels like we’re bombarded with tragedy through news outlets and social media.
We all know that bad news grabs attention, but it’s hard not to feel disheartened by how little is done to shift the narrative.
That’s why, at Newsner, we’re committed to sharing stories that balance the good with the bad – the inspirational alongside the heartbreaking. This particular story is a bit of both.
It’s about 29-year-old Ngo Quy Hai, a burn survivor who now owns an award-winning bakery in Kon Tum, Vietnam, the city where he was born. Yet, his journey to success was far from easy.
As a toddler, Hai’s life took a tragic turn when a devastating accident altered his future forever. According to reports, he was using a baby walker in the kitchen when he fell into an open wood stove, suffering severe burns across much of his body.
“Baby walkers were common back then, and people didn’t realize how dangerous they could be,” Hai explained.
Following the accident, Hai was rushed to Children’s Hospital 1 in Saigon, where he spent two years receiving intensive care and undergoing treatments to save his life.
This brave little boy endured countless reconstructive surgeries, but despite all efforts, he was left with scars that serve as a lasting reminder of the most painful day of his life.
Hai also endured severe emotional trauma due to the accident. After being discharged from the hospital, he faced relentless bullying because of his appearance.
“I felt completely alone growing up and didn’t have many friends,” Hai shared. “I was ostracized from society. When I tried to find a job, I was mocked and ridiculed. At one point, I didn’t leave my house for nearly two years.”
It’s hard to fathom the challenges Hai has faced. To spend two entire years confined to his home is truly heartbreaking.
During this time, Hai fell behind in his studies, a setback that only added to his struggles. Despite this, he found solace in forming a bond with a friend who also had disabilities. This connection gave him a glimmer of hope during one of the darkest periods of his life.
“Sometimes, I think it was fate that brought us together,” Hai said about his friend. “We’ve played together since we were very young and have shared many joys and sorrows. We bonded over the same sadness of being rejected by others.”
Despite the pain and hardships, Hai held onto one unwavering dream: to open his own bakery. This dream was born out of a heartbreaking experience he shared with his friend. The two had longed to visit a bakery, but when they finally went, they were turned away.
“We were very poor, and our clothes weren’t as nice as others’. They didn’t even listen to our explanation. They chased us away,” Hai recalled.
“It was humiliating. But that moment shaped me. It made me certain of what I wanted to do. I was determined to open my own bakery, where I would bake delicious, beautiful cakes and serve everyone equally—rich or poor. No one would be turned away.”
With the support of his family, Hai attended hospitality training school in Hanoi. Incredibly, just a few years after being too afraid to leave his house, he achieved his dream and opened his bakery.
“It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces,” Hai shared.
He also made it his mission to spread kindness. “I often see children selling lottery tickets on the streets, and I always invite them in for a piece of cake. We don’t know the struggles others have faced. Be kind.”
Now, Hai is passionate about helping others overcome hardships similar to his own. “It’s my dream to give back and make a difference in society,” he said.
Speaking with The Epoch Times, Hai reflected on his journey: “I am more than how I look. Do not call me harsh names. I am a survivor.”
What an inspirational young man he is. To endure such adversity and still find hope and kindness in life is truly remarkable.
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