The angel I wished for
Vi Do grew up in extreme poverty in rural Vietnam, watching his father sicken and become unable to work. At 14, he left for Hanoi to survive on the streets as a shoeshine boy, hiding money in his clothes and avoiding gangs. A young Australian teacher named Michael found him, offered him food and English lessons, and for the first time, told him he was smart and good. That moment shifted how Vi saw himself. He studied, worked his way into a five-star hotel, built a comfortable life. But when he encountered street kids his own age trapped by dealers and exploitation, he recognised his younger self in their eyes. He chose to help them instead of walking away. Michael later asked him a question about legacy that changed everything: at 80, would he be prouder of money or lives changed? Vi returned to Blue Dragon, where he has worked for 17 years, rescuing over 2,000 trafficking victims and building programs that help youth discover their own potential. He works toward a day when his organisation is no longer needed.
Vi Do is CEO of Blue Dragon Children Foundation, an Australian charity rescuing people from human trafficking in Southeast Asia. At 14, he left his rural farming family to work as a street shoeshine boy in Hanoi, supporting his parents and siblings. An Australian English teacher named Michael offered him a path forward, which transformed his life and eventually led him to build Blue Dragon into an organisation of nearly 200 staff helping approximately 50,000 people annually.
In this Kintsugi Heroes conversation with Dan Dougherty, Vi shares the story behind the moments below.
🎙️ IN THIS CONVERSATION:
• A single person seeing your potential and naming it can redirect a life from survival to purpose.
• Street children are systematically dehumanised, called worthless, yet they are often the most resourceful and morally grounded people in their communities.
🕒 CHAPTERS:
00:00 The angel I wished for
04:02 Building Blue Dragon from the street
11:39 Childhood poverty and the choice to leave
18:48 Surviving alone on the street
24:32 Children of the dirt
26:35 The man who believed in me first
31:22 A good life wasn’t the end
36:03 The question that changed everything
43:48 Working with the most challenging young people
46:11 Rescuing people from trafficking
51:28 Working toward the day we’re no longer needed
53:34 The circle of healing
🎧 If this story moved you, follow Kintsugi Heroes in your podcast app so you never miss an episode.
📌 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Blue Dragon Children Foundation: bluedragon.org
Kintsugi Heroes: kintsugheroes.com.au
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