Key PointsAt 105 years old, Minh Thong Nguyen resides in Springvale with his family spanning five generations.Recounting his life spanning Vietnam, Germany and Australia, he attributes his longevity to prayer, resilience and daily exercise. Supported by devoted caregivers, Minh Thong is praised for his determination to keep on learning and his enthusiasm for engaging with others.
When SBS Vietnamese visited 105-year old Minh Thong Nguyen on an early autumn morning, he was carefully dressed and maintained a neat appearance.
This lifelong habit, he said, is a mark of respect whether venturing out or receiving guests.
Living in Springvale, Victoria, with his 77-year-old daughter, Hoi Nguyen, and 84-year-old son-in-law, Luan Pham, Minh Thong said he enjoyed the close presence of his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren.
The joys of life
While age has softened his voice, Minh Thong’s mind remained sharp as he proudly recounted his life, attributing his longevity to prayer, resilience and daily exercise.
“I have 13 children. Some of them have died. I have nearly 20 grandchildren, a dozen great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
“I love going out and visiting church every weekend,” he shared.
Minh Thong has lived a full life, from Vietnam to Germany before finally settling in Australia.
“Australia is truly a wonderful place for retirement,” he said.
Originally hailing from Ha Nam Ninh, a northern province in Vietnam, his life traversed tumultuous epochs, witnessing the division of his homeland and the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Despite the upheavals, he thrived, working as a weaver and later, as a chef.
At 105 years old, Minh Thong Nguyen is the first of five generations in his family, with his great great granddaughter Ivy Nhi Milford (10 months) rounding out the fifth.
“In 1984, amid shifting geopolitical landscapes, my dad journeyed to Germany to reunite with his children, seeking solace in familial bonds,” Minh Thong recalled.
He shared that life in Germany lacked a vibrant Vietnamese community and that this prompted his move to be with family in Australia.
His daugher Hoi shared, “In 2000, we sponsored our father’s journey to Australia when he was 80 years old. Upon his arrival, he expressed immense happiness, deeming Australia as perhaps the best place in the world.
Welcomed by his children with open arms, my dad embraced his new home with unmatched enthusiasm.
Hoi Nguyen, Minh Thong Nguyen’s daughter
Hoi added that Minh Thong treasures every family gathering, delighting in the company of his numerous great-grandchildren who visit him regularly each week.
She shared, “Our entire family gathers, and despite feeling tired, he makes an effort to sit and chat with his grandchildren. Sometimes, even when they stay until 10pm, he still joins in the chat. Upon their return home, he eagerly enquires about their well-being.
“Occasionally, if someone hasn’t visited in a while, he remembers and even initiates a Facetime call to see their faces on the iPad, ensuring they stay connected.
“His children and grandchildren enjoy conversing with him because he shares stories from his life experiences and occasionally cracks jokes.”
Minh Thong Nguyen and his great grandchildren and great-great granddaughter, all living nearby his house in Springvale, Victoria.
Fighting death
In 2022, after his 103rd birthday, Minh Thong experienced a very serious illness and was admitted in the hospital for around three weeks.
His son-in-law Luan shared, “The doctor suggested that the family decide whether they wanted to proceed with treatment, considering my dad-in-law had a weakened condition, or they could take him to the waiting room … but we believed that as long as there was still hope, we should try our best.
“After being discharged from the hospital, he could barely walk. [We all] thought he would be in a wheelchair forever.”
Despite the pain, Minh Thong actively participated in physical therapy. Although he still has difficulty walking, he always tries to move on his own and he continues to do his daily activities.
Hoi shared, “His faith is strong and he prays diligently. I think Jesus helps him.
A certificate of congratulations from local government to Minh Thong when he reached 105 years old.
“He is very persistent. Every time the physical therapist comes, he practices very hard. He often asks why the session is so short. He asks, ‘Will the therapist come again tomorrow?’”
His children and grandchildren agree that they’ve learned a lot from his wisdom, his determination to keep on learning and stay up-to-date with the news, his financial savviness, and his enthusiasm in engaging with others.
With the assistance of his children and an aged care worker from the , he continues to do things he enjoys, such as attending church and shopping.
I request the aged care staff to accompany me for fishing trips. I want to do exercises to preserve my mobility. I make a daily effort to walk to the mailbox and get the mail as a part of my walking practice routine.
Minh Thong Nguyen
The role of caregiver
Hoi and Luan act as the primary caregivers of Minh Thong. Because both are elderly as well, they admit that there can be difficulties to caregiving.
Relief for the family comes in the form of a government-supported free home care program provided by the AVWA.
The service sends aged care staff to their home to help with some household chores such as cleaning, washing and bathing Minh Thong every week.
Hoi shared, “Our children work, [but they] help a little. Both my husband and I are [elderly], so we can’t take care of my dad all day. Luckily, there was a caregiver from the AVWA who would come three times a week to bathe him and take him out shopping, as well as take him fishing.
“When he was seriously ill, the support worker even came by every day to bathe him.
“The centre also provides nappies, cleaning supplies, and equipment necessary for health care.”
Kim Chi, an AVWA caregiver who cares for Minh Thong, shared that taking care of the elderly requires a lot of love.
When providing care, the most crucial elements are patience, respect and encouragement. Each elderly person is unique, requiring us to understand and be sensitive to their individual needs to ensure smooth and effective caregiving.
Kim Chi, AVWA caregiver
Luan added that despite his and his wife’s advanced ages, they are able to take care of Minh Thong with patience and empathy.
