Stepping on the way home

The joy of Mr. Vo Trong Dien (28 years old, residing in Tan Dat hamlet, An Vien commune, Dong Nai province) when the loan capital from the Social Policy Bank for people who have completed their prison sentences has been used effectively.

In Dong Nai, Decision No. 22/2023/QD-TTg, dated August 17, 2023 of the Prime Minister on credit for people who have completed their prison sentences (Decision No. 22) is becoming a strong "arm", supporting hundreds of people returning from their past mistakes.

Faith for the day of return

A year ago, Vo Trong Dien (residing in Tan Dat hamlet, An Vien commune, Dong Nai province) returned home after completing his prison sentence. A desolate house, a sickly old father, a young child just starting first grade, and his wife who had once shared a bed with him had also left… were the harsh realities that greeted him on his return.

“Everything has changed so much, I don’t know where to start. But thanks to the introduction of the commune government, I was able to access a preferential loan of 60 million VND from the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP). That was the first ray of light that guided me to move forward,” Mr. Dien shared.

With that small capital, Mr. Dien bought 4 breeding cows and renovated more than 5,000 m² of land to grow grass as a source of food for the cows. After just under a year, his herd of cows has grown to 9, opening a sustainable direction for his family. Now, he not only takes care of his old father and young children but is also an active local worker.

“I am truly grateful that the Party and the State have not abandoned me. This preferential loan policy has given me the opportunity to rebuild my life,” Mr. Dien emotionally shared.

In Tan Lap 2 hamlet (Bau Ham commune, Dong Nai province), Mr. Vu Tuan Tai was also a person who made a mistake. Returning to his hometown at the end of 2024, Mr. Tai was supported by the local government and the commune police to access a loan of 100 million VND under Decision No. 22.

With that money, Mr. Tai invested in growing bananas on 7 sao of land. Every day, he worked diligently, step by step rebuilding his life. Mr. Tai’s dream of “rebuilding his life” has begun to “blossom and bear fruit”… and in just 2 months, the banana garden will yield its first harvest.

“I have stumbled before, but now that the Government and the State care for me, I feel touched and grateful. With capital to do business, I am even more determined to live well so as not to disappoint this trust,” said Mr. Tai.

“Community reintegration work has great significance for society, not only implementing the policy of socializing the execution of sentences and implementing the State's criminal policy, but also promoting social reform in many different areas, including crime prevention and recidivism prevention.”
Lieutenant Colonel NGUYEN THE THUAN, Deputy Head of PC10, Dong Nai Provincial Police

Accompanying the reformed

The credit policy for people who have completed their prison sentences according to Decision No. 22 allows people who have completed their prison sentences to borrow capital at an interest rate equal to the interest rate for loans to the poor, in order to support them in vocational training, job creation, production, business and building a new life.

“After more than 2 years of implementation, the Trang Bom Social Policy Bank Transaction Office has disbursed nearly 1.2 billion VND to 13 loan cases according to Decision No. 22. Most borrowers used the capital for the right purpose and effectively. This shows that the policy has been put into practice, bringing about clear results” - Ms. Pham Thi Hue Quyen, Director of the Trang Bom Social Policy Bank Transaction Office said.

In the whole province, the loan turnover under Decision No. 22 from the beginning of 2025 to now has reached over 26.5 billion VND, with 295 customers receiving loans. The total outstanding debt as of November 24, 2025 reached over 51.4 billion VND, with 632 customers receiving loans, completing 100% of the plan. Dong Nai Provincial Police also coordinated with Dong Nai Provincial Social Policy Bank to synthesize and review loan needs and submitted to the Provincial People's Committee to transfer an additional 10 billion VND to disburse to meet the needs.

According to Mr. Vo Trong Hoa, Deputy Director of Dong Nai Province Social Policy Bank, this is a humane policy credit access channel established in Dong Nai to support people who have completed their prison sentences to reintegrate into the community. With the proactive participation of the Criminal Enforcement and Judicial Support Police Department (PC10) of the Provincial Police and Dong Nai Province Social Policy Bank, the program opens up a real opportunity to help people who have made mistakes access preferential capital, revive their lives and prevent recidivism, not only for social security but also contributing to ensuring security and order in the locality.

“We have identified close coordination with the local government, mass organizations and police to review and support eligible borrowers, support procedures and monitor the use of capital as key tasks. This is important to create favorable conditions for those who have completed their prison sentences to stabilize their lives, prevent recidivism and violations of the law, contribute to maintaining security and order and preventing crime in the area,” Mr. Hoa emphasized.

The journey to rebuild life is not easy, but with timely support from preferential credit policies, reformed people in Dong Nai are gradually proving that: Anyone can return, if given the opportunity. Decision No. 22 is not only an economic policy but also a humane commitment of the Party and State, affirming that reintegration is not only a lonely path but a journey accompanied by the Party, the government and the people.

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