A party member is someone whose words inspire the people and whose actions earn the people's trust.

In mid-March, I joined a working group to visit the western communes of Da Nang City. To reach Song Vang commune, we set off very early in the morning, traversing winding concrete roads under the first rays of sunlight, creating a peaceful natural landscape in the mountainous region. Few people know that beneath that smooth concrete lies hundreds of meters of garden land steeped in kindness and generosity, donated by a respected figure in the village, the village elder Mac Van Min.

At 73, when many have chosen a peaceful life with their children and grandchildren, village elder Mac Van Min still diligently attends to the community's affairs. His simple stilt house in Tong Cooi village is always open to welcome villagers to discuss business, family matters, or community issues.

Village elder Mac Van Min (third from the left) regularly propagates and encourages villagers to abide by the laws of the State and prevent child marriage and consanguineous marriage in the locality.

Born and raised in Tong Cooi, a land where the Co Tu people of his homeland toil day after day on the high hills and fields, their precarious income from planting acacia trees, cassava, and upland rice... keeps the villagers trapped in a cycle of poverty. More than anyone else, village elder Min understands the customs and mindset of his people. Therefore, whenever the locality implements a new policy, he is always the first to thoroughly investigate it, then patiently explain it to the villagers with simple, approachable words. He confided: "If you want people to listen and believe you, you have to show them. If you talk well but don't act, the people won't believe you."

Donating land to build roads - paving the way for hope.

The most significant milestone in Mr. Min's life of dedication was in 2022, when Ba commune (now Song Vang commune) implemented the National Target Program for building new rural areas. For a mountainous commune still facing many difficulties, expanding rural roads was not only a financial challenge but also a matter of gaining the consensus of the people.

Faced with the villagers' concerns about having to donate land, cut down trees, and move fences, Mr. Min voluntarily donated 500 square meters of his family's garden land to build a rural concrete road. That decision wasn't easy, especially for a family in a mountainous area where every square meter of land is tied to their livelihood. He recounted: “When I discussed donating the land with my family, at first my children and grandchildren were hesitant and regretful. But I explained: Opening the road will change the village; there will no longer be the dusty red conditions in the dry season that cling to clothes, or the slippery, muddy conditions in the rainy season… Our children and grandchildren will benefit in the long term… Hearing this, the family members agreed to donate the land for the road…”

Mr. Min's family's actions had a profound impact on the villagers. He recalled: "The villagers were enthusiastic about the initiative, but some were still worried about losing some property and unsure of the long-term benefits... I thought I had to lead by example, donating land for the road and then going to each house to explain the long-term benefits in detail. When the people understood and trusted, everything went smoothly."

Thanks to that exemplary act, the initial anxieties of the villagers were gradually dispelled. The people of Tong Cooi village happily and voluntarily contributed land and labor. Before long, the muddy dirt roads that were impassable during the rainy season were replaced with wide, clean, and beautiful concrete roads. In her neat house next to the smooth concrete road, Ms. A Lang Thi Huong, from Tong Cooi village, confided: “At first, my family was very worried because donating land meant losing our farmland. But seeing Elder Min do it first, explaining clearly and sincerely, we believed him. Following Elder Min's advice, we now have such a beautiful and sturdy road. With the road, it's much more convenient for our children to go to school and work.”

When asked about village elder Mac Van Min, A Lang Duu, a resident of Tong Cooi village, emotionally said: “Elder Min is a respected and exemplary person. He donated land first, so everyone respects and trusts him. The new roads not only extend the village but also open up opportunities for economic development, making buying and selling more convenient, and thanks to that, the lives of our people are improving day by day.”

Preserving cultural heritage and fostering peace in the villages.

Not only is he dedicated to building new rural areas, but Elder Min also devotes much effort to preserving the cultural identity of the Co Tu ethnic group. He regularly encourages villagers to maintain traditional festivals, preserve their language, costumes, and musical instruments; and reminds his descendants to cherish the values ​​left by their ancestors. In addition, he is a familiar "mediator" in Tong Cooi village. From small family conflicts and land disputes to preventing child marriage, consanguineous marriage, and domestic violence, he patiently persuades and analyzes right and wrong with the logic and compassion of an elder. "The elder speaks of what is right and just, so the villagers are pleased and enlightened. Many seemingly tense situations that could not be resolved are quickly settled thanks to Elder Min's intervention," shared A Rat Thang, a village official.

It can be said that Elder Min is a source of spiritual support for the people in the highlands of Da Nang. A Lang Bliec, a militia member from Song Vang commune, confided: “It was Elder Min who encouraged me to confidently enlist and fulfill my military service. That year, I heard him say that joining the army was a responsibility to the village and the country, that I should rest assured, that my wife and children at home would be supported by the villagers. Hearing him say that, I felt reassured and enlisted.”

Besides contributing to socio-economic development, Elder Min also regularly propagates and encourages villagers to abide by the State's laws, preventing child marriage and consanguineous marriage in the locality. He pays special attention to visiting and encouraging families of policy beneficiaries and those who have rendered meritorious services to the nation to overcome difficulties. Elder Mac Van Min is also actively involved in maintaining security and order in the area. He regularly cooperates with the commune police, the Fatherland Front, and other organizations to disseminate legal information, encourage villagers not to listen to bad people, not to violate the law, and maintain security in the village. Complex and sensitive issues are skillfully explained and resolved at the grassroots level, preventing the emergence of hotspots.

His deep understanding of local customs and traditions, along with his personal prestige, helped him become an "extended arm" of the government in matters of public relations, national defense, and security in ethnic minority areas. These quiet contributions helped maintain unity and peace in the villages of this mountainous region.

The pillar of support for Party committees and government

Speaking to us about exemplary individuals in the locality, Ms. Tran Thi Bich Lien, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Song Vang commune, said: “Influential figures like Mr. Mac Van Min are the core force helping the government effectively implement emulation movements and national target programs. Their exemplary conduct creates a great ripple effect, contributing to strengthening the great national unity right from the village level, which is very valuable.”

Evaluating the role of village elder Mac Van Min, Comrade Do Huu Tung, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Song Kon commune, affirmed: “Previously, in my role as Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Giang district, Quang Nam province (formerly), I had many years of contact with Mr. Mac Van Min. With a sense of responsibility and exemplary conduct, Mr. Min has made many important contributions to the construction of new rural areas. In addition to donating land for roads and mobilizing people to participate in land donation, he also helped people develop many economic models such as growing tea vines and local oranges, contributing to improving the lives of the people. It is people with prestige like Mr. Min who have helped the Party Committee and the government to promptly understand the thoughts and aspirations of the people, thereby implementing policies and guidelines effectively and appropriately to the local reality...”.

With his quiet, responsible, and dedicated contributions, Mr. Mac Van Min has been repeatedly commended and rewarded by various levels and sectors. In particular, in 2023, he received a commendation from the Minister and Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs for his outstanding achievements in ethnic affairs and the Party and State's ethnic policies. In 2024, he was honored by Military Region 5 as a distinguished and influential figure. This title is not only a well-deserved recognition for an individual dedicated to the community but also a vivid testament to the important role of village elders, community leaders, and influential figures in consolidating national unity, maintaining political stability, and ensuring social order and security at the grassroots level.

When I asked about those prestigious awards, Mr. Min just smiled, his kind face marked with wrinkles: "I do it for my people, for my village. As long as I have the strength, I will continue to work, to explain things to the people and to earn their trust, but I don't think I will receive any awards from higher authorities."

Amidst the ever-changing rhythm of life in the Song Vang highlands, there is an elder, Mac Van Min, who remains quietly and persistently like a headwater stream, silently nurturing faith and uniting the people, ensuring that his village remains peaceful and prosperous today and in the future. Leaving Song Vang as the sun rose higher, the smooth concrete road leading through Tong Cooi village served as vivid evidence of the power of the people's will when properly awakened. In the majestic Truong Son mountain range, the image of Mr. Mac Van Min—an elderly village elder who, despite his advanced age, silently carries out meaningful and humane work—prompted me to reflect deeply. In this seemingly remote place, it is ordinary people like him who have been silently keeping the stream of faith flowing... ensuring that the Party's will is intertwined with the people's hearts, so that the village not only changes today but also moves forward steadily into the future.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-17/gia-min-o-song-vang-1030782