Trinh, a member of Task Force 2 of Da Nang's Beach Tourism Order Management Team, gained widespread recognition in early August after helping an Australian tourist find a lost engagement ring on Cua Dai beach. The story quickly spread across online travel forums frequented by foreigners in Vietnam, with many calling him a "hero" and praising Da Nang.

While the Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang Beach Tourism Management Board commended Trinh for his act, this was just one of countless instances over his 14-year career. The 41-year-old doesn't recall exactly how many people he has assisted, but he's certain he's never accepted any payment in return.

Trinh during a workday. Photo: NVCC

Trinh during a workday. Photo: NVCC

Trinh's primary job is ensuring security and order on the beaches, coordinating rescue efforts during emergencies, for a salary of around 7 million VND. During peak tourist season, he and his team often work overtime, helping tourists find lost children, belongings, or assisting with other incidents. Despite receiving no overtime pay, Trinh says the team's motto is "as long as tourists are here, we're working."

One early summer evening, as Trinh prepared to leave after his shift, he encountered a young woman crying on the beach near Nguyen Van Thoai Street. She had lost her phone in the sand during a team-building event. Others had helped her search since the afternoon but had given up, leaving her alone digging in the sand.

Hearing this, Trinh rushed home to retrieve his metal detector. However, because the phone's battery was dead and the woman couldn't pinpoint the exact location, it took him almost two hours to locate the device. By the time he returned home, it was well past midnight.

"The young woman sobbed with joy. But if the tourist was happy to get her phone back, I was ten times happier," he said.

On another occasion, while his family was mourning the loss of a nephew, Trinh set aside his personal grief to search for a tourist's lost phone on the beach, worried that "a thief might find it."

In 2022, while searching underwater, he stumbled upon a lost phone and wallet belonging to a Vietnamese tourist. The owner had almost given up hope of recovering them and was utterly astonished when Trinh returned the items.

Four years ago, Trinh personally paid for parts and repaired the motorbike of American tourist Britt Traynham near My Khe beach. When Traynham offered to reimburse him, at least for the cost of the parts, Trinh refused. The two have stayed in touch since, and Da Nang earned another admirer.

"He said he didn't need anything, my happiness was enough. This city is so beautiful and friendly," Traynham wrote.

Trinh can't recall how many people he's helped, so he often takes photos and documents them on his social media page. His account is a vibrant journal filled with the joy of tourists he's assisted.

Traynham with Trinh after receiving assistance with his motorbike. Photo: Britt Traynham

Traynham with Trinh after receiving assistance with his motorbike. Photo: Britt Traynham

According to Trinh, finding lost items is not easy. After gathering information from tourists, he must predict the area where the item was lost based on the location, time, and changing tides. He often spends hours, sometimes even a whole day, searching, rarely finding the item immediately.

Driven by his passion for exploring the sea, he invested in a metal detector worth tens of millions of VND. This device has become an invaluable tool in his quest to reunite tourists with their lost possessions.

The items he's recovered range from a gold necklace worth almost 100 million VND to several phones and engagement rings. Often, after retrieving their belongings, foreign tourists offer 50-100 USD, while domestic tourists offer from one to several million VND, but he always declines.

"I am proud to be from Da Nang. If I accepted money, they might forget quickly. If I don't accept anything, they will remember for a long time and tell their friends," he explained.

For Trinh, the greatest reward is witnessing the tourists' radiant faces upon recovering their lost items. He believes these small acts are the most effective way to promote the city's image. He often tells tourists to remember that Da Nang has many kind people willing to help without expecting anything in return.

Nguyen Hong Van, captain of the Tourism Order Management Team, considers Trinh an exemplary member. Throughout his career, Trinh has consistently fulfilled his duties and contributed to building a positive image for Da Nang tourism.

"Looking at Trinh, tourists understand the spirit of the whole team. Everyone who joins is reminded of one thing: each person is a small brick contributing to the face of Da Nang tourism," Van said.

Tu Nguyen