On March 24, 2026, a 20-year-old university student named Nguyen Le Tu was walking home from the gym in Hanoi, Vietnam, when he suddenly spotted a six-story building engulfed in flames. Seven people were trapped inside, and the main stairwell was completely blocked by raging fire, leaving them with no way out.Without hesitation, Tu sprang into action. He first used a ladder from outside the building to help two elderly residents escape to safety.
But when he learned that women and children were still trapped deeper inside the burning structure, he refused to stop there.Ignoring the intense danger, Tu climbed into the smoke-filled building. The corridors were pitch black and filled with thick, suffocating smoke. Thinking quickly, he took off his shirt, soaked it in water, and pressed it tightly against his face to filter the air. Guided only by touch and determination, he carefully made his way through the darkness and intense heat, searching for the remaining victims.
Thanks to his bravery, Tu successfully helped rescue all seven trapped people. Several individuals, including Tu himself, were later taken to the hospital for treatment due to smoke inhalation.That same evening, when he called his mother, Tu simply told her that he had “fallen” and didn’t mention anything about the fire. He later explained that he didn’t want to worry her.
Nguyen Le Tu is a second-year student studying Engineering Physics at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. He is well-known among his peers and professors for his excellent academic performance and outstanding conduct.Within days of the heroic rescue, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union awarded him the prestigious “Brave Youth” badge. Additionally, Vietnam’s Acting Minister of Education personally presented him with an official Certificate of Commendation for his remarkable courage.
