“Command” from the heart

Lesson 1: Dien Bien - Rising with the country

The whole country looks to Dien Bien

Based on practical expectations, on April 25, 2023, the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front issued a Project to mobilize support for building solidarity houses for poor households in Dien Bien province towards 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 within 1 year (from May 7, 2023 to May 7, 2024) to support the construction of 7,000 - 8,000 solidarity houses for poor and near-poor households in Dien Bien province and the Northwest region (of which, Dien Bien province will be supported to build 5,000 houses, the rest will be supported in other localities in the Northwest region). The support level is 50 million VND/house, with a total estimated cost of about 350 - 400 billion VND.

With the theme "Millions of loving hearts - Thousands of happy homes", the launching ceremony to support 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 13. Speaking here, Mr. Do Van Chien, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, emphasized in the call: "The whole country joins hands to contribute, those with money contribute money, those with merit contribute merit; those with much contribute much, those with little contribute little to support the ethnic people of Dien Bien province and the Northwest region to escape poverty, improve their material and spiritual lives, and feel secure in their "blood and flesh" attachment to the borderland of the Fatherland".

With the humane meaning of the program, organizations, businesses, localities, and individuals across the country have enthusiastically "contributed" to Dien Bien, creating a combined strength for the program. Right at the launching ceremony, more than 280 billion VND, equivalent to 5,600 Great Solidarity Houses, were supported and registered by units, businesses, organizations, and individuals at the central and local levels. Of which, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union registered 2.5 billion VND (equivalent to 50 houses). Immediately after the launching ceremony, the Central Committee of the Union called on all levels of the Union and women's union members to reduce their expenses and save a small portion of their salary to "make a storm out of a few", with the goal of mobilizing 70 houses. Beyond expectations, in just nearly 1 month, the Vietnam Women's Union mobilized 87 houses.

Receiving the sentiments of the whole country, comrade Tran Quoc Cuong, Secretary of Dien Bien Provincial Party Committee affirmed: "Dien Bien is determined to focus on mobilizing the entire political system to promptly and effectively implement the program. In addition to the amount of 50 million VND/house supported by the Central Government, the locality will mobilize all resources to support, so that poor households have quality housing". Along with that is the determination to strive to complete the construction of all Great Unity houses for poor households by February 3, 2024. In a short time, the quantity and volume of work to be done is large, while most of the implementation areas have specific difficulties, which are not small challenges that require great determination from the entire political system...

Dien Bien joins hands and unites

The project to mobilize support for building solidarity houses for poor households in the province is the largest housing construction program ever in the area, receiving special attention from leaders of the Party, State, central departments, ministries, branches, provinces, cities and people nationwide. Therefore, after the project was implemented, the review, selection and list of households eligible for support for building houses were completed, Dien Bien province simultaneously organized the groundbreaking ceremony for building solidarity houses for poor and near-poor households in 10/10 districts, towns and cities across the area on July 23.

This is the most impressive groundbreaking ceremony ever, because it took place at the same time and across the entire province, receiving special attention from provincial, district and local leaders as well as all cadres and people. This not only demonstrates the determination and consensus of the entire political system in the province, but also creates a spreading force, spirit and competitive atmosphere throughout the area. Another unprecedented highlight is that the groundbreaking ceremony was held right at the poor household selected for support to build a house, clearly demonstrating the spirit of sharing, joining hands for the poor, and the practicality of the movement.

Present at the groundbreaking ceremony taking place in Pa Dong village, Thanh Xuong commune, Dien Bien district, we clearly felt the joy and excitement of the Party committees, authorities and people here. From early morning, hundreds of people in the village and neighboring areas came to witness the ceremony and share joy with the poor households who were supported to build houses this time. Especially the family of Ms. Luong Thi Mai - the location of the groundbreaking ceremony to build solidarity houses for poor households in the whole district.

Sharing the joy and excitement of the villagers, Mr. Lo Van Thiem, Head of Pa Dong Village, shared: I think the program to support the construction of houses for poor households is a very practical thing, creating conditions to help households in difficult circumstances stabilize their lives, gradually rising out of poverty sustainably. In my village, Ms. Mai's family received support to build a house, so I and the villagers agreed to mobilize forces, assign people to help her family move furniture, demolish the old house, level the ground, transport materials, and build a new house. Thereby, strengthening the relationship of "village love and neighborliness", helping the family reduce the cost of building a house.

Along with the event taking place in Pa Dong village, a general groundbreaking ceremony was simultaneously launched throughout the area. Promoting the heroic tradition of Dien Bien Phu, the spirit of sharing "mutual love" for the poor, the authorities and people of all localities expressed their determination to join hands to effectively implement this meaningful program. From there, not only demonstrating the spirit of solidarity of Dien Bien people, but also contributing to the completion of the province's goal of eliminating temporary housing for poor households to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory "famous in five continents, shaking the world".

After the groundbreaking ceremony, all the villages, from urban to rural areas, remote areas in the province were filled with the sounds of hammers, chisels, drilling, cutting, and compacting the ground. It can be said that the atmosphere of competition to build houses has never been so rhythmic and bustling. However, in the process of building houses for poor households, a series of difficulties and problems arose. However, with valuable experience gained from many previous housing support programs, combined with consensus and determination, localities in the province have come up with good and creative ways to overcome all obstacles and effectively implement the support for building houses for poor households.

Lesson 3: The power of people's hearts

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