If an enormous amount of cash falls into the hands of a destitute man, how will he react? He'll probably jump with joy and become delirious.

But Nguyen Van Het of HCM City's District 11, who won VND7.6 billion (S$553,279.78), is neither jumping nor very happy.

That is because he is 97 years old and can hardly walk steadily.He has no children or relatives with whom to share his bonanza except an 82-year-old wife with dementia.

This fairytale occurred two days before Tet (Lunar New Year), hitting newspaper headlines and intriguing people around Viet Nam.

Overnight Het went from rags to riches, becoming probably the country's most senior billionaire.

This particular multi-jackpot has ramifications not just for the winner, but also his neighbourhood and, in fact, society as a whole.

Some call it a joke Fate has played on him, while others believe it is a test by God for people who are both close and unrelated to him and a challenge to society to decide what will happen when he passes away.

But for an old man who has subsisted on alms and donations from the kind-hearted, a windfall of several hundred thousand dollars is a chance to make a new beginning.

The old couple can afford to rebuild their ramshackle house that was donated by local authorities seven years ago, get new clothes, and buy a television and a DVD player.

They can also afford to have their tombs made in advance and not worry about dying a destitute death.

"I just want to have some braised pork," Het says, a desire that reveals how devoid of luxury his life has been.

Het toiled first as a pedicab driver and then a lottery-ticket seller to eke out a meagre living.

But the good fortune has been a little too late in coming.

He can see and touch the cash but not really enjoy the benefits it can bring.

In fact, he may have more reason to blame than thank God for his good fortune - their peace and their very lives could be at stake.

"Frankly speaking, I wish I had won just tens of millions (several thousand dollars)," he laments. "I don't know what to do with such a big amount."

After being neglected and living a destitute life for many years, the couple suddenly have lots of "kin", most of whom they hardly remember or even know. Dozens of people call on them every day to claim relationships. This is physically overwhelming for the old couple.

Then there is the risk from greedy people. Scams and burglaries, not to mention physical danger, are real possibilities.

In fact, when he received the cash in big bags, he was swarmed by neighbours. Het was handing out wads of the stuff to the noisy crowd.

Apparently, by the time authorities stepped in, VND1 billion ($55,000) had gone and could not be recovered.

Strangers have begun to approach him to touch his hands, hoping some of his luck will rub off on them. The only good that has come out of the situation is that it has exposed the true nature of greedy and malicious people.

Then, there are the good neighbours who risk keeping the cash for him and deposit it in banks in his name so that he can live on a monthly interest of a few thousand dollars under the watchful eye of local authorities.

But since the two do not have many years left to live, the billion-dong question for his neighbours, relatives, and indeed society is who will inherit the fortune after them.

His wife's children from her first marriage and his relatives are on top of the list of eligible heirs. But since they abandoned the couple in their time of need, are they ethically eligible to get the money?

Of course it is up to Het, but given that the couple are close to senility and easily influenced, anyone trying to approach them to raise money for charity or even give them good advice will automatically be suspected.

Local authorities, who have assumed a role in the business, have said they will not interfere with his will.

Het told reporters "I reap as I sow." He was referring to the honest life he says he led and the 10 people whose lives he saved. This can be inspirational to people who wish to win lotteries just like him.

But there has been one winner already - lottery companies, whose sales have surged dramatically after the story of the 97-year-old's huge slice of luck spread.

-Viet Nam News/Asia News Network