The delegates discussed many important topics.

During the opening session of the 15th Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Thanh Hoa province, held on the morning of July 14th, under the chairmanship of the Congress Presidium, delegates discussed many important issues. Thanh Hoa Newspaper respectfully presents this to our readers.

A view of the Congress.

Ms. Thao Thi Me, Chairwoman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Nhi Son commune, Muong Lat district: Promoting the role of the Fatherland Front in mobilizing ethnic minorities, village elders, community leaders, and influential figures to participate in protecting the border, boundary markers, and maintaining security and order along the Vietnam-Laos border.

Nhi Son commune has 6 villages, with 682 households and 3,339 inhabitants, comprising four ethnic groups: Kinh, Thai, Dao, and Mong. The entire commune has 10.3 km of border shared with Kham Nang village in Nam Nga cluster of Vieng Xay district, Lao People's Democratic Republic.

In fulfilling its responsibilities, over the years the Fatherland Front of Nhi Son commune has developed a plan to disseminate information and mobilize the people to effectively implement the Party's guidelines, State policies and laws, focusing on Resolution No. 33-NQ/TW on the National Border Protection Strategy; the National Border Law; and to encourage village elders, hamlet leaders, influential people, and clan leaders to participate in managing and protecting the border and boundary markers.

Over the past five years (2019-2024), more than 82 village elders, community leaders, clan leaders, and influential figures in the commune have actively mobilized the people to participate in building and expanding models of mass organizations protecting national security and border security; providing valuable information that helped functional agencies in the district to promptly detect, investigate, and handle cases. They have encouraged the people in the commune to establish self-governing border marker groups, regularly coordinating with border guards to patrol the border, clean up, and plant trees around the border markers. They maintain a monthly schedule of information and propaganda on the security and order situation in the area; preventing and combating the tactics of criminal elements. They encourage the people to strictly abide by border regulations and avoid using unofficial border crossings. Simultaneously, promptly notify the authorities when detecting any acts or violations of the border line and border markers, contributing to ensuring political security and social order in the commune.

To better enhance the role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in mobilization efforts, I believe that annually, the Fatherland Front, relevant departments, and mass organizations should coordinate and develop plans to organize training courses on national border security protection and the Border Law; exchange experiences and best practices to improve the skills and awareness of village elders, community leaders, and influential people in communes bordering Laos. Annually, the Fatherland Front and mass organizations, in coordination with border guard posts, should organize conferences to summarize the work of participating in border management and boundary markers, promptly commending and rewarding village elders, community leaders, influential people, and clan leaders who have achieved outstanding results in mobilization work. At the same time, they should receive feedback and exchange best practices and innovative approaches. Promoting exemplary individuals and good deeds helps Party committees, authorities, and mass organizations better understand the situation at the grassroots level, enabling them to formulate appropriate policies and solutions for border and boundary marker management. We earnestly hope that the Party and State will continue to implement policies that show concern for village elders, community leaders, and influential figures in mountainous and border areas inhabited by ethnic minorities.

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Ms. Pham Thi Thu, Member of the Standing Committee of the District Party Committee, Head of the Mass Mobilization Department, and Chairwoman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Ngoc Lac District: Promoting the role of the Fatherland Front in disseminating information and mobilizing the people to build green fences in the construction of bright, green, clean, beautiful, and safe residential areas.

Recognizing its status as a mountainous district, and aiming to achieve the goal of becoming a New Rural District by 2025, the Standing Committee of the Ngoc Lac District Party Committee has launched four socio -economic development movements: “Clean Houses, Beautiful Gardens, Green Fence”; “Bright, Green, Clean, and Beautiful Roads”; “Clean Sunday”; “Peaceful Bell”; and building a model of “Safe Neighborhood Fire Prevention and Control Groups”; with the criterion of creating green fences as a highlight to create a bright, green, clean, and beautiful landscape, creating opportunities for community tourism and ecotourism development, and changing the appearance of rural areas.

To ensure effective implementation, the Standing Committee of the Ngoc Lac District Party Committee issued the "Development of Green Hedge Planting in Ngoc Lac District, 2024-2025" project, which includes many financial support policies to encourage communes and towns to build green hedges: supporting each locality with 5 million VND to build seedling nurseries and calling for social mobilization from organizations, businesses, households, individuals, and communities; supporting seedlings for two types (tea and hibiscus), with a support level of 2.8 million VND/km in length; supporting each village and neighborhood with one pruning and shaping machine for villages and neighborhoods with green hedges meeting the standard of 1km in length or more, with a total support cost of 1.539 billion VND; directing the Fatherland Front to coordinate with political and social organizations to develop a plan to organize propaganda and mobilize the people to implement the project.

Thanks to effective propaganda and mobilization efforts among the people, along with the involvement of the entire political system, the district has now planted over 500km of green hedges; 100% of communes, towns, agencies, and units have developed plans to launch the "Green Hedge" movement for the 2021-2025 period and established nurseries for seedlings to serve as green hedges. Many communes have excellent models and beautiful hedges, such as Ngoc Son, Ngoc Lien, My Tan, Cao Thinh, etc.

To ensure the green hedge planting movement continues to spread more widely, it is suggested that Party committees from the district level to the grassroots pay attention to leading, directing, and mobilizing the entire political system in organizing and implementing it. Strengthen innovation and diversify forms and methods of propaganda to raise awareness among officials and the people; in particular, each official and Party member must set an example and lead the way in implementation, considering this the most practical and effective way to encourage people to follow suit. During implementation, it must be integrated with the "All People Unite to Build New Rural Areas and Civilized Urban Areas" campaign and other socio-economic development movements launched by the district. Villages and neighborhoods should establish groups and residential areas to manage and operate the green hedges in a concentrated and synchronized manner according to guidelines, selecting plants, planting methods, care, and pruning. At the same time, the role of the Head of the Fatherland Front Committee and influential individuals should be promoted in implementation and mobilization. Regular monthly, quarterly, and annual evaluations, preliminary and final summaries, and commendations will be given to exemplary groups and households in implementing the movement. Inspection, supervision, and monitoring of the movement's implementation will be strengthened, focusing on key areas and closely adhering to the local community.

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Father Tran Xuan Manh, Vice Chairman (non-executive) of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Chairman of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee, and Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Catholic Solidarity Committee: The Thanh Hoa Provincial Catholic Solidarity Committee is actively involved in propaganda and mobilization efforts to encourage parishioners to participate in the movement of living "a good life, a beautiful faith, building a peaceful parish, and a cultured family."

Following the direction of the Bishops' Conference for the past 44 years, "Living the Gospel in the heart of the nation, to bring happiness to our compatriots"; and the exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI, "a good Catholic is also a good citizen," the Catholics of Thanh Hoa province always "accompany, share, and serve," standing shoulder to shoulder with all strata of the people in labor and production, actively participating in charitable and humanitarian activities, and effectively implementing movements and campaigns initiated by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, for the benefit of the nation and the people.

The Committee for Catholic Solidarity is a social organization, a member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, operating in accordance with the Constitution, laws of the State, and the pastoral guidelines of the Vietnam Bishops' Conference. Over the past five years, Catholics in the province have voluntarily contributed 50 billion VND to rural development; donated 230 hectares of land and 157,000 man-days of labor, making the rural landscape in parishes and congregations more attractive, "bright, green, clean, beautiful, and safe." They have actively participated in humanitarian and charitable activities such as "For the poor, leaving no one behind," "remembering the source of the water," and "showing gratitude," enthusiastically supporting the COVID-19 prevention and control fund, the disaster relief fund, and the fire prevention fund... with a total value of over 85 billion VND. The Charity and Social Welfare Committee of the Thanh Hoa Diocese has regularly maintained activities such as medical examinations, dispensing medicine, providing free transportation for poor patients, and offering monthly rice support to those in truly difficult circumstances. In 2022-2023, the Committee for Solidarity of Catholics coordinated with the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee to help households living on the riverbanks relocate to the mainland. As a result, in 6 districts, local authorities allocated land to 179 households and 182 households, totaling 15 billion 442 million VND.

Furthermore, the Committee for Catholic Affairs has encouraged parishioners to participate in the grassroots political system, building the Party and the government. There are now 272 Catholic delegates in the People's Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 term. From the "peaceful parish" model established in Nga Son district (in 2018), after 7 years, it has been replicated in other localities: Tho Xuan, Nong Cong, Nghi Son town, Thach Thanh, Vinh Loc, and Quang Xuong. At the Conference to commend good people and good deeds among Catholics in recent years, 223 collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements and advanced models were awarded Certificates of Merit by the Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

In the coming period, especially after the 15th Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Thanh Hoa province, the Committee for Solidarity of Catholics and Protestants is determined to strive even harder to fulfill its mission as a bridge between religion and life, between the church and society, continuing to encourage the spirit of solidarity between Catholics and non-Catholics, living a good life and upholding moral values, contributing together with the people to make Thanh Hoa province, the homeland of Lam Kinh - Le Loi, stronger, richer, and happier.

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Mr. Le Tien Dung, Member of the Standing Committee of the District Party Committee, Head of the Mass Mobilization Department, and Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Trieu Son District: The role of the Fatherland Front in disseminating information and mobilizing the people to donate land for expanding rural roads, building new rural areas, advanced new rural areas, and model new rural areas.

In implementing Resolution No. 12-NQ/HU, dated July 22, 2022, of the Executive Committee of the Trieu Son District Party Committee on strengthening the leadership of Party committees in mobilizing people to donate land for the expansion of rural roads in the district during the 2022-2025 period, Party committees, authorities, the Fatherland Front, and mass organizations from the district to the grassroots level have intensified propaganda and mobilization efforts through various diverse and rich forms, suitable to the conditions of each locality.

Following the motto "Reaching every alley, knocking on every door," and "persistently persuading"—if they couldn't meet during the day, they would do it at night; if not on the next day, they would go on Sunday to campaign—cadres of the District-level Mass Mobilization Committee and the Fatherland Front regularly visit the grassroots level to direct, inspect, guide, and promote the people. They proactively understand the people's situation, promptly report and propose solutions to the Steering Committee to address the difficulties, obstacles, and legitimate aspirations of the people. As of June 30th, the entire district had donated over 500km of road; the donated land area was over 52 hectares; and 16,983 households participated in land donation. After road expansion, most localities mobilized resources from the people to build new gates, fences, drainage ditches, relocate power poles, pour concrete, plant flowers and trees, and install streetlights, bringing a new landscape and appearance to the villages.

From the above results, the Fatherland Front of Trieu Son district drew several lessons learned: There must be leadership and guidance from the Party committee; the involvement of the entire political system, especially the role, spirit, and responsibility of the head of the Party committee; and the exemplary leadership of cadres and Party members. The Fatherland Front working committees in residential areas – those directly mobilizing the people – must thoroughly understand the policies, significance, and practical, long-term benefits of expanding rural roads; they must be thorough, persistent, flexible, and know how to gain the support of influential people in their families and residential areas; they must encourage exemplary households to spread the message to those who do not yet agree; and they must share the experiences of localities with good and creative approaches. In addition, the Fatherland Front at all levels must proactively and boldly advise and propose to the Party committee and government, selecting roads and residential areas that are easy to expand and where the people have high consensus to implement first in order to gain experience. Adopting the model of "alleys serving as models for villages, villages serving as models for communes, and communes sharing experiences with other communes" will create a ripple effect throughout the district. Combining resources from the state budget with "socialized" resources, mobilizing contributions from the people, including those working and living away from home. Effectively implementing democratic regulations, transparency, and consultation on projects and tasks related to people's contributions will create motivation and unleash the strength and resources within the people.

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Venerable Thich Tam Dinh , Member of the Central Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Association, Head of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Buddhist Executive Board : The Thanh Hoa Provincial Buddhist Executive Board, through patriotic emulation movements and social welfare programs, contributes to building national unity.

The Vietnam Buddhist Association of Thanh Hoa Province was established on November 1, 1984. From its early beginnings, with only over 10 senior monks and many dilapidated temples and ruins, Buddhist activities in the province were mainly concentrated in temples, following monastic traditions. Today, Thanh Hoa Buddhism has 223 monks and nuns, approximately 160,000 followers; 179 temples with resident or co-resident monks, and 27 district-level Buddhist Management Boards.

Imbued with the compassionate teachings of the Buddha and the fine traditions of the nation, monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers in Thanh Hoa province always demonstrate the benevolent hearts of Buddhists, enthusiastically participating with all sectors of the population in charitable and humanitarian activities initiated by the Vietnam Fatherland Front, such as: the "Nationwide Solidarity for the Poor, Leaving No One Behind" movement, the Fund for the Poor, the Relief Fund, the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Fund, and other humanitarian and charitable activities. From 2019 to 2024, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Buddhist Association maintained charitable, humanitarian, and social welfare activities such as: repairing and building dozens of schools and hundreds of solidarity houses; supporting hundreds of livestock to create livelihoods; awarding thousands of scholarships to poor students who overcome difficulties; visiting, encouraging, and giving millions of gifts to policy beneficiaries and families in difficult circumstances during the Lunar New Year and other important holidays. Visiting and supporting people inside and outside the province affected by natural disasters and floods... with a total budget of over 168 billion VND. Implementing Directive No. 22-CT/TU, dated March 30, 2024, of the Provincial Party Committee on the campaign to support the construction of houses for poor households, policy beneficiary households, and households still facing housing difficulties in the province in the two years 2024-2025, the Vietnam Buddhist Association of Thanh Hoa province has donated 30 houses.

Continuing to uphold the fine traditions of Vietnamese Buddhism, affirming faith in the correct leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam on the path to socialism; and promoting the fine tradition of "protecting the nation and ensuring the people's well-being," the Buddhist community of Thanh Hoa province has always been closely associated with and accompanied the Party Committee, government, and people of all ethnic groups and religions in the province to contribute to building a strong Thanh Hoa economically, politically stable, and prosperous and happy province for its people. In the coming time, Thanh Hoa Buddhism will continue to strive and diligently work to build a strong organization. At the same time, it will do a good job of propaganda, education, and guidance to raise the awareness of monks, nuns, Buddhists, and the general public to comply well with the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws, especially regulations on religious activities, eradicating superstition, and combating propaganda and distortions that affect the reputation of Buddhism in the province. Participating in the struggle to thwart all conspiracies of forces exploiting religious beliefs to undermine national unity, peace, independence, and the country's sovereignty, as well as the prestige of Vietnamese Buddhism, the monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers of Thanh Hoa will forever remain a positive component in the house of national unity .

Phan Nga (summary)

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/dai-hoi-dai-bieu-mttq-viet-nam-tinh-thanh-hoa-lan-thu-x5-cac-dai-bieu-tham-luan-nhieu-noi-dung-quan-trong-219458.htm