My impression of 28-year-old Thuong can be encapsulated in one word: admiration.

Crushed by the harsh side of life, Thuong has never given up her firmly held belief that she owes life the best of her.

I met Thuong on a drizzly afternoon in a manicure class when I was visiting a livelihoods project of World Vision Vietnam’s urban development program in Ngo Quyen district, Hai Phong city.

Wearing the project’s blue uniform and having all eyes...