The "heroes" are silent with the "Zero-dong trip" to all regions of the Fatherland

The birth of love trips

In the last days of 2025, when looking back at a year full of changes due to natural disasters, floods, epidemics and mounting difficulties, the story of the 0 VND Team in Thanh Hoa Hien appears like a warm, humane color. No noise, no showing off, those simple people have worked hard on all roads, from the mountains to the plains, from the North to the South, with the only purpose: To help people in times of trouble.

To better understand this special journey, Lao Dong Newspaper reporters went to meet Mr. Le Manh Diep (born in 1984, residing in Dong Duc Street, Quang Phu Ward, Thanh Hoa Province), Captain of Thanh Hoa 0 Dong Vehicle Team. In a simple house, the story of the birth of the volunteer team was told by Mr. Diep in a calm and sincere voice.

"Over the years, we have become accustomed to doing charity work, donating, and giving gifts in many provinces and cities. The brothers traveled a lot, worked a lot, understood each other and found each other compatible. In March 2025, starting from the group's participation in supporting the search for a drowning case in the Ham Rong bridge area. After nearly a week of coordinating with the authorities, the victim was finally found. After that incident, we sat together and decided to establish a free rescue team" - Mr. Diep shared.

Initially, the team only had about 10 members. Whoever has a car should contribute, whoever has the strength should contribute. Every time they receive information about drowning people, accidents or difficult circumstances that need support, the whole team immediately sets off, regardless of day or night, sun or rain. That act of gratitude is gradually recognized and spread by the people, and the number of members has also increased accordingly. Up to now, Thanh Hoa Zero-VND Team has had 25 regular members.

Previously, we mainly grasped information through social networks and newspapers. After that, the team created a Fanpage named Thanh HoaZero-VND Team to update activities. From there, people know more, when there is a need, they call the team" - Mr. Diep said.

Not just rescue, rescue

According to Mr. Diep, in addition to the members' personal vehicles, the team currently has 2 motor boats and 1 oxygen generator for rescue work. However, the activities of the 0 VND Team do not stop at rescue and relief in natural disasters and drowning, but also expand to supporting the reception of poor patients for examination and treatment at hospitals; supporting the transportation of martyrs' remains to their hometowns; helping those in especially difficult circumstances in society.

Each trip is a story, each journey is a time to face the pain and fragility of human life. And there are stories that make even those who are used to hardship unforgettable.

Mr. Diep recalled the case of a poor old woman in the old Dong Son district. He has a serious kidney disease and must be treated for a long time at Thanh Hoa General Hospital. In her life, she has only had one daughter who had married far away and could not take care of her regularly.

"When we received information that the family needed vehicle support to take him back to his hometown, we immediately set off. When they got home, they found almost nothing valuable in the house, empty and cold. After that, we called for and a benefactor agreed to let him temporarily take shelter in the prosperous area of his family in the old Hoang Hoa district" - Mr. Diep said.

That day was July 21, 2025, with heavy rain and storms. The bus to the old lady's new place wandered in the rain and wind. But just a few hours after arriving, he did not survive.

Witnessing the incident, my brothers and I could not hold back our tears. We suggested taking care of his funeral, but the poor have taken care of it. That was one of the moments that haunted me and made me feel more necessary at what I was doing Mr. Diep emphasized.

Another case is an old woman in the old Nong Cong district, suffering from a serious illness. After receiving a request from relatives, the team went to the scene to take him to Thanh Hoa General Hospital for treatment. Not long after, his condition worsened, and he had to urgently move to Hanoi. After two days of treatment, the family continued to ask the support team to bring him back to Thanh Hoa. After a period of treatment, the team continued to take him home.

"There are many cases like this. All are completely free. We just think simply, whatever we can help, we can help with all our might. Seeing the precarious circumstances, illness, and difficulties, it is impossible to ignore them" - Mr. Diep shared.

The bus fare is 0 VND and thank you is also the cost

To maintain operations, the issue of funding is inevitable. According to Mr. Diep, at first, all fuel costs were contributed by the members themselves. Later, when the team's work became known to many people, the benefactors joined hands to support, some gave a few tens of thousands of VND, some gave a few million VND, helping the team ease some of the burden.

The team has very clear regulations. For trips under 40km, the brothers will pay for gas themselves. If over 40km, gasoline and roadbeds will be taken from the charity fund contributed by donors. Other living expenses such as food, accommodation, and self-care. All revenue and expenditure accounts are made public and updated regularly on the team's page for everyone to follow" - Mr. Diep said.

After about 9 months of operation, Thanh Hoa Zero-VND Team has participated in supporting 15 drowning cases; 4 times transporting martyrs' remains; hundreds of trucks to pick up and drop off poor patients for examination and treatment. Notably, the scope of operation is not only limited to the province but also across the country, with trips from Hai Phong to Dak Lak, from Dong Nai to Thanh Hoa...

"Many times, when taking patients home, relatives have expressed their intention to send money to thank them. But the team's regulations are to absolutely not accept anything, from money to gifts. We always determine: The fee for the bus is 0 VND, and the thank you is the fee for the bus. There are people who, after being helped, burst into tears because of emotion" - Mr. Diep said.

Talking about the plan in the coming time, Mr. Diep said that the whole team will continue this volunteer activity as long as possible. The goal is nothing other than to help as many people as possible, spreading good things in the community.

We didnt think we were doing anything big. I just hope that, in the most difficult times, the poor, the sick, and the less fortunate will feel that they are not alone, there are still hands ready to hold, accompany, and share" - Mr. Diep confided.

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