On 21/7, Nguyen Phuong Thao, Secretary of the Quang Ninh Provincial Youth Union, acting on behalf of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, visited Dinh Duc Hiep, 30, at the Quang Ninh Provincial General Hospital to present him with the award. Hiep resides in Ha Trung 4, Ha Lam ward, Quang Ninh province.

Nguyen Phuong Thao, Secretary of the Quang Ninh Provincial Youth Union, visited and awarded the "Brave Youth" badge to Hiep. Photo: Xuan Hoa

Nguyen Phuong Thao, Secretary of the Quang Ninh Provincial Youth Union, visited and awarded the "Brave Youth" badge to Hiep. Photo: Xuan Hoa

Hiep, along with seven family members, boarded the Vinh Xanh 58 on 19/7 for a tour of route 2 in Ha Long Bay. There were 46 passengers and three crew members on board. At 1:30 p.m., before reaching any destinations, the boat was hit by a sudden squall, capsized, and threw everyone into the sea.

Amidst the chaos, Hiep maintained his composure, found a way to escape, and rescued his mother, a man, and two women. He also managed to get his girlfriend and another man onto the upturned hull of the boat, but tragically, they did not survive.

The accident claimed the lives of 36 people, with three still missing. Hiep, his mother, and eight others survived. They were rescued by authorities and taken to the Quang Ninh Provincial General Hospital and Bai Chay Hospital for treatment.

In addition to Hiep, Dinh Thi Thuy Linh, 39, from Hanoi and Dang Anh Tuan, 37, also from Hanoi, actively assisted other victims.

Le Tan