"Commands" from the heart

Lesson 1: Dien Bien - Rising Up with the Nation

The whole country is turning its attention to Dien Bien.

Based on practical needs, on April 25, 2023, the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front issued a plan to mobilize support for building solidarity houses for poor households in Dien Bien province, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2024). Accordingly, the Fatherland Front will focus on mobilizing social resources over a one-year period (from May 7, 2023 to May 7, 2024) to support the construction of 7,000-8,000 new solidarity houses for poor and near-poor households in Dien Bien province and the Northwest region (of which, 5,000 houses will be built in Dien Bien province, and the remainder will be supported in other localities in the Northwest region). The support level is 50 million VND per house, with a total estimated cost of approximately 350-400 billion VND.

With the theme "Millions of loving hearts - A thousand happy homes," the launching ceremony for the construction of solidarity houses for poor households in Dien Bien province, chaired by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, took place on the morning of May 13th. Speaking at the event, Mr. Do Van Chien, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, emphasized in his appeal: "The whole country joins hands to contribute, those with resources contribute resources, those with labor contribute labor; those who have much contribute much, those who have little contribute little, to support the ethnic minorities in Dien Bien province and the Northwest region to rise out of poverty, improve their material and spiritual lives, and feel secure in their connection to the borderland of the Fatherland."

With the program's deeply humane significance, organizations, businesses, localities, and individuals across the country enthusiastically contributed to Dien Bien, creating a combined force for the program. At the launch ceremony alone, over 280 billion VND, equivalent to 5,600 "Great Solidarity Houses," was donated or pledged by organizations, businesses, and individuals at the central and local levels. Among them, the Vietnam Women's Union Central Committee pledged 2.5 billion VND (equivalent to 50 houses). Immediately after the launch ceremony, the Central Committee issued a call to all levels of the Union and its members to reduce their expenses and save a small portion of their salaries to contribute significantly, aiming to raise funds for 70 houses. Beyond expectations, in just under a month, the Vietnam Women's Union successfully mobilized support for 87 houses.

Receiving the support from the whole country, Comrade Tran Quoc Cuong, Secretary of the Dien Bien Provincial Party Committee, affirmed: “Dien Bien is determined to mobilize the entire political system to implement the program promptly and effectively. In addition to the 50 million VND/house provided by the Central Government, the locality will mobilize all resources to provide further support, so that poor households have quality housing.” Along with that is the determination to strive to complete the construction of all solidarity houses for poor households by February 3, 2024. The short timeframe, the large number and volume of work to be done, and the fact that most of the implementation areas face specific difficulties are significant challenges requiring great determination from the entire political system…

Dien Bien joins forces and works together in unity.

The project to support the construction of solidarity houses for poor households in the province is the largest housing program ever undertaken in the area, receiving special attention from Party and State leaders, central ministries and agencies, provinces and cities, and the people nationwide. Therefore, after the project was implemented and the review, selection, and compilation of lists of eligible households for housing support were completed, Dien Bien province simultaneously held groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of solidarity houses for poor and near-poor households in all 10 districts, towns, and cities across the province on July 23rd.

This was the most impressive groundbreaking ceremony ever, as it took place simultaneously across the entire province, receiving special attention from provincial, district, and local leaders, as well as all officials and citizens. This not only demonstrated the determination and unity of the entire political system in the province, but also created a ripple effect and a spirit of emulation throughout the region. Another unprecedented highlight was that the groundbreaking ceremony was held right at the homes of the selected poor families receiving housing assistance, clearly demonstrating the spirit of sharing and working together for the poor, and the practicality of the movement.

Present at the groundbreaking ceremony held in Pá Đông village, Thanh Xương commune, Điện Biên district, we clearly felt the joy and excitement of the Party committees, government officials, and people here. From early morning, hundreds of people from the village and surrounding areas came to witness the ceremony and share the joy with the poor households receiving support for house construction in this phase. Especially noteworthy was the family of Ms. Lường Thị Mai – the location where the groundbreaking ceremony for the solidarity house for poor households in the entire district took place.

Sharing in the joy and excitement of the villagers, Mr. Lo Van Thiem, Head of Pa Dong village, shared: "I find the program to support house construction for poor households to be extremely practical, creating conditions to help households in difficult circumstances stabilize their lives and gradually rise out of poverty sustainably. In my village, Ms. Mai's family received support to build a house, so I and the villagers have agreed to mobilize our forces and assign people to help her family transport belongings, demolish the old house, level the ground, transport materials, and build the new house. This strengthens the 'community spirit' and helps the family reduce the cost of building the house."

Along with the event taking place in Pá Đông village, a general construction campaign was simultaneously launched throughout the province. Upholding the heroic tradition of Điện Biên Phủ and the spirit of sharing and mutual support for the poor, the local authorities and people expressed their determination to work together effectively to implement this meaningful program. This not only demonstrates the solidarity of the people of Điện Biên, but also contributes to achieving the goal of eliminating temporary housing for poor households in the province, in anticipation of celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ victory, a victory that resonated throughout the world.

Following the spirited groundbreaking ceremony, the sounds of hammers, chisels, drills, and foundation compaction filled the air throughout the province, from urban to rural areas and remote regions. It's safe to say that never before has the atmosphere of house-building competition been so harmonious and bustling. However, a series of difficulties and obstacles arose during the process of building houses for impoverished households. Nevertheless, drawing on valuable experience from previous housing support programs, coupled with unity and determination, localities in the province have developed innovative and effective methods to overcome all obstacles and successfully provide housing support for the poor.

Lesson 3: The Power of the People's Will

Source