Stepping forward on the day of return

Vo Trong Dien (28 years old, residing in Tan Dat hamlet, An Vien commune, Dong Nai province) is delighted that the loan from the Social Policy Bank for those 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.

Belief in the day of return

A year ago, Mr. Vo Trong Dien (residing in Tan Dat hamlet, An Vien commune, Dong Nai province) returned home after serving his prison sentence. The harsh reality that greeted him upon his return was a dilapidated house, his elderly father was ill, his young child had just started first grade, and his wife, with whom he had shared his life, had left him.

“Everything has changed so much, I didn’t know where to start. But thanks to the commune government’s introduction, I was able to access a preferential loan of 60 million VND from the Social Policy Bank. That was the first ray of light guiding me forward,” Mr. Dien shared.

With that small amount of capital, Mr. Dien bought four breeding cows and renovated over 5,000 square meters of land to grow grass as feed for the cows. In just under a year, his herd had grown to nine cows, opening up a sustainable path for his family. Now, he not only provides for his elderly father and young children but is also an active productive worker in the local community.

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

Meanwhile, in Tan Lap 2 hamlet (Bau Ham commune, Dong Nai province), Mr. Vu Tuan Tai was also once a person who had made mistakes. Returning to his hometown at the end of 2024, Mr. Tai received support from the local government and the commune police to access a 100 million VND loan under Decision No. 22.

With that money, Mr. Tai invested in planting bananas on 7 acres of land. Every day, he diligently worked, gradually rebuilding his life. Mr. Tai's dream of "starting over" has begun to "bear fruit"... and in just two months, the banana plantation will yield its first harvest.

"I've stumbled before, but now that the Government and the State are paying attention to me, I feel touched and grateful. With capital to start a business, I'm even more determined to live well so as not to betray this trust," said Mr. Tai.

"Community reintegration work is of great significance to society, not only implementing the policy of socializing the execution of sentences and 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 Department, Dong Nai Provincial Police

Supporting reformed offenders

The credit policy for those who have completed their prison sentences, as stipulated in Decision No. 22, allows them to borrow capital at interest rates equal to those for loans to poor households, aiming to support them in vocational training, job creation, production, business, and building a new life.

“After more than two years of implementation, the Trang Bom Branch of the Vietnam Social Policy Bank has disbursed nearly 1.2 billion VND to 13 borrowers under Decision No. 22. The majority of borrowers used the capital for its intended purpose and effectively. This shows that the policy has been put into practice and has yielded clear results,” said Ms. Pham Thi Hue Quyen, Director of the Trang Bom Branch of the Vietnam Social Policy Bank.

Across the province, loan disbursements under Decision No. 22 from the beginning of 2025 to date have reached over 26.5 billion VND, with 295 customers receiving loans. The total outstanding loan balance as of November 24, 2025, reached over 51.4 billion VND, with 632 customers receiving loans, achieving 100% of the plan. The Dong Nai Provincial Police also coordinated with the Dong Nai Provincial Social Bank to compile and review loan needs and submitted a request to the Provincial People's Committee for an additional 10 billion VND to be disbursed to meet demand.

According to Mr. Vo Trong Hoa, Deputy Director of the Social Policy Bank of Dong Nai province, this is a humane policy credit access channel established in Dong Nai to support former prisoners in reintegrating into the community. With the proactive involvement of the Criminal Enforcement and Judicial Support Police Department (PC10) of the Provincial Police and the Social Policy Bank of Dong Nai province, the program opens up a tangible opportunity for those who have made mistakes to access preferential capital, rebuild their lives, and prevent recidivism. This not only contributes to social welfare but also helps ensure local security and order.

“We have identified close coordination with local authorities, organizations, and police to review and support eligible individuals in accessing loans, assisting with procedures, and monitoring the use of funds as a key task. This is crucial to creating favorable conditions for those who have completed their prison sentences to stabilize their lives, prevent recidivism and violations of the law, and contribute to maintaining security and order and preventing crime in the area,” Mr. Hoa emphasized.

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

Le Duc

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202512/nang-buoc-ngay-ve-bea1ef2/