Elderly Scrap Collector Returns 19 Pieces of Gold Jewelry Found in Trash

Nguyen Thi Mui, a 78-year-old scrap collector in Ho Chi Minh City, has been lauded for her honesty after she returned a bag containing 19 pieces of gold jewelry she found while sorting through discarded items. The discovery was made around 9:30 a.m. on September 8 in Neighborhood 41, Hiep Binh Ward. The paper bag held several jewelry boxes containing 15 rings, two necklaces, a bracelet, and a pendant, all made of gold. Mui immediately brought the bag to the Hiep Binh Ward Police, reported the find, and requested assistance in locating the owner. According to Nguyen Van Dung, the police officer handling the case, one of the jewelry boxes included a receipt with the buyer's name. Police used this information to search the National Population Database, which yielded numerous matching records. They then narrowed their search to residents of Neighborhood 41, visiting addresses to verify identities. Authorities eventually identified the jewelry as belonging to Tran Thi Thuy Van, 34, whose items had recently gone missing. Van explained that she had accidentally included the bag with her household trash during a cleaning session and later discarded it. By the time she realized her mistake, her family had assumed the jewelry was lost to the city's waste system and did not attempt retrieval. Van was asked by police to describe the jewelry and its accompanying items, which perfectly matched Mui's discovery. Both women were invited to the police station the same day to finalize the return procedures. Upon receiving her property, Van expressed her gratitude to Mui and the police. Officer Dung praised Mui's actions, stating, "Despite her advanced age and difficult circumstances, and despite collecting recyclables for a living, Mui was not tempted to keep such valuable property. Her actions are highly commendable." Mui was rewarded with VND10 million (approximately $380) and 10 kilograms of rice for her integrity. This act of honesty has resonated within Vietnamese society, particularly in a rapidly urbanizing city like Ho Chi Minh City, serving as a reminder of ethical values amidst economic development.