President Nguyen Minh Triet March 25 sent a letter praising Nguyen Van Tien for his bravery in saving his friend.

Nguyen Van Tien and his mother at the National Institute for Burns in Hanoi (Photo: Tien Phong)

Tien, 17, from the northern province of Phu Tho, saved his friend from being electrocuted to death from a high voltage post while they were fitting aluminum frames for glass panels in Ha Noi January 17.

He was seriously burned and doctors had to amputate his arms and left leg.

‘I am much moved by your brave action but also so heart broken because you lost your arms and leg when you are so young. Your action comes from good, lofty and strong awareness. You are deserving of the title of heroic Vietnamese youth,’ President Triet wrote.

‘I wish you will soon recover and be strong to overcome the injury to have a good future. I am very glad to know that central organizations and other individuals and organizations in the country had contributed assistance after your noble action.'

‘Sending you a lot of my kisses,’ the president ended his letter.