Nguyen Hoai Thuong, a 18-year-old resident of Ho Chi Minh City, paints without hands. Photo: Vu Thuy / Tuoi Tre
She captured Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper readers’ hearts when she appeared in a photo feature titled ‘She Still Smiles Despite Life’s Hardships’ 11 years ago.
Today, as she approaches her 18th birthday, the girl once affectionately nicknamed ‘The Little Penguin’ is preparing for university and pursuing a dream of becoming an artist.
Born without limbs due to the effects of Agent Orange, Thuong faced challenges from the moment she entered the world.
Yet those who knew her as a child remembered her not for her disability, but for her cheerful spirit.
She laughed easily, talked endlessly, and carried herself with a resilience that often left adults feeling inspired rather than saddened.
Homemade skateboard, unshakable determination
When Thuong was in grade two, she traveled to school on a skateboard made by her father.
Despite having no hands, she learned to write beautifully by holding a pen with her shortened arm and steadying it against her neck.
Inside the family’s modest home in Cay Sop Hamlet in Tan An Hoi Commune, the seven-year-old could feed herself, climb onto and off her skateboard, and pull herself into a chair to study.
During recess, she moved around the schoolyard chatting with classmates just like any other child.
Through relentless practice, she mastered tasks many thought impossible.
She learned to maneuver swiftly on her skateboard and developed the ability to write despite being born without hands.
Years passed quickly.
She advanced through middle school and high school, while her mother, Tran Thi Cam Giang, continued documenting her daughter’s journey.
This year, Thuong completed high school and now stands at a crossroads familiar to many young people: deciding what path to follow into adulthood.
Discovering passion for painting
Displayed around her home are several oil paintings that many visitors simply describe as beautiful.
Their creator is Thuong herself.
“She wanted to learn painting when she was in elementary school,” her mother recalled.
“But I never believed she could actually do it. How could someone with such short arms hold a paintbrush like an artist?”
Despite her mother’s doubts, Thuong never stopped asking.
Finally, when she reached the 10th grade, her persistence paid off and she was allowed to enroll in art classes.
The breakthrough came when her art teacher called home with encouraging news.
“She has talent,” the teacher told her mother.
“She can do this. Let her continue.”
Since then, Thuong has attended painting classes twice a week while continuing her studies at Cu Chi High School.
“I enjoy painting landscapes,” Thuong said.
“Recently I’ve been studying mountains, and I’ll learn portrait painting.
“I want to paint portraits so I can create pictures of people I know and love.”
She proudly showed visitors two unfinished works: one depicting the iconic Lung Cu Flag Tower in northern Vietnam and another portraying a tranquil rural landscape.
Three months ago, she also participated in an art exhibition, bringing 10 paintings to display.
Several of the works attracted the attention of supporters who purchased them, providing both encouragement and validation for her growing talent.
Nguyen Hoai Thuong, born without limbs, poses for a photo with her parents on her high-school graduation day. Photo: Supplied
Dream of university entrance
Academically, Thuong completed her final year of high school with solid results and qualified for an exemption from the national graduation examination.
Yet finding the right university has become a new challenge.
“She desires to study something related to art,” Giang said.
“However, many people told us that art and architecture universities may be difficult because there are courses involving sculpture, design projects, and other physically demanding requirements.”
The uncertainty weighs heavily on her parents.
Memories of earlier struggles often return.
When Thuong was still a preschooler, her mother carried her from school to school, pleading for someone to give her daughter a chance.
At one elementary school, a principal bluntly refused admission.
She continued knocking on doors until one school finally opened its gates.
Soon afterward, Thuong astonished teachers and classmates alike by writing her first letters.
“So many hardships have been overcome,” Giang said.
“Now there is still a long journey ahead for her to pursue her studies and a career she truly loves, with the hope that she will one day be able to support herself.
“As long as a university accepts her, even if one of us has to quit our job to accompany her to class, we will do everything we can.”
