Japanese tourist Shimura Manabu sends a thank-you note to police in Huong Son Commune, Ha Tinh Province, north-central Vietnam after he was assisted. Photo: A.D.

Police in Huong Son Commune said Friday that officers had received a message of gratitude from Japanese citizen Shimura Manabu, who had been helped by local police during a difficult moment while traveling in Vietnam.

On February 28, he entered Vietnam through Cau Treo International Border Gate, a key crossing between Vietnam and Laos located in Ha Tinh Province.

Shortly after arriving, he went to a commune police station in a state of anxiety, explaining that he had run out of the money he had brought with him.

With no funds left for daily expenses and nowhere to stay, he needed a temporary place to wait until family members in Japan could send him money.

The police officers there offered reassurance and support, providing him with a small amount of money so he could buy food.

They also proactively contacted a local guesthouse and asked the owner to allow the visitor to stay there temporarily while he waited for financial assistance from his family.

On Thursday, he returned to the police station to thank the officers who had helped him.

In a handwritten note in Vietnamese, simple and slightly awkward but sincere, he wrote “Thank you for helping me the other day. I will never forget your kindness.”