At around 6:10 AM on February 10, Mr. Thanh from Long Bien District, Hanoi, went down to his car as usual, checking it thoroughly before starting the engine. He was surprised to find an elderly woman, estimated to be around 60 years old, sleeping in front of his car.
The elderly woman was covered with a blanket, lying on a thin sack, with her lower body tucked under the car. Many speculated that she sought shelter from the cold by sleeping near the engine, which provided some warmth.
“Recalling that moment, I still feel startled. Fortunately, nothing happened, allowing me to spot her in time,” Mr. Thanh recounted. That morning, he had a schedule to take a relative to the hospital for a health check-up.
Mr. Thanh stayed to inquire about the woman, noticing that she seemed not very agile. He then quickly tidied up her belongings and left.
Elderly woman sleeping in front of a car in Hanoi – 1Elderly woman sleeping in front of Mr. Thanh’s car (Photo: Provided by the subject).
Mr. Thanh mentioned that he had heard other drivers share similar experiences but this was his first encounter. His car is equipped with a 360-degree camera to detect obstacles for safety.
A few days earlier, a truck driver also found an elderly woman sleeping under his vehicle while inspecting it before driving off. “If I had left early without checking, I wouldn’t know what to do,” the driver said.
Later, Mr. Thanh posted about the incident on social media, urging all drivers to carefully inspect their vehicles before moving. The post garnered significant attention from the online community. Some expressed their desire to assist the elderly woman, but Mr. Thanh did not have any information about her.
“This serves as a lesson and experience for all drivers. Always walk around your vehicle and check underneath before starting the journey, observing any obstructions or terrain,” commented Nguyen Lan.
“I feel sorry for the elderly woman seeking warmth near the car to escape the cold winter in Hanoi. It’s fortunate the driver was observant,” added Lam Tien.
