Remembering our roots…
In May, the historic land of Dien Bien is bathed in golden sunlight. The sky, after the rain, is clear and vast. The golden fields of Muong Thanh, two rice granaries, create the Dien Bien rice brand, rivaling the famous Tam Xoan rice of Hai Hau.
The afternoon faded slowly, the western sun casting a fan-shaped glow. The verdant, indigo mountains rose and fell, stretching endlessly into the distance. A group of veterans arrived from afar, stopping their vehicles at the A1 Cemetery to offer incense in remembrance. They walked silently together in the late afternoon, the fragrant smoke of incense wafting through the air. The ringing of the bells resonated, calming the hearts of those living, echoing deep within the earth like the voice of Mother Earth, embracing them for eternity, lulling them into a peaceful sleep…
An old soldier with snow-white hair, holding a sprig of chrysanthemums, slowly walked through the main gate. His eyes welled up with emotion as he realized he was the only remaining member of Company 3, Regiment 88, after the war. Standing before the rows of gravestones, he spoke in a hoarse, distant voice: “Where have you been, amidst this vast expanse of sky and earth? I’ve been searching for you for ten years, and yet I haven’t found you…?” Many present were deeply moved by this brief, sacred moment for the last remaining old soldier…
The crowd of mourners thinned out, and the old man sat by the grave for a long time before finally walking away, leaving behind a truly tranquil afternoon. Most of the veterans in that group belonged to a younger generation; they came to Dien Bien Phu primarily to pay their respects…
Sixty-nine years after the Victory of Dien Bien Phu (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2023), Dien Bien today has changed. The past has closed, opening a new era, a new age where the people of Dien Bien are still striving for the development of Dien Bien. The people of the 19 ethnic minority groups in Dien Bien remain steadfastly loyal to the Party, both protecting the border of the Fatherland and diligently working to ensure that this legendary land will forever shine brightly as it does in today's history.
Homes of love and compassion
The movement to build charitable houses for the people of Dien Bien and the Northwest region has been ongoing for many years. In the four years from 2019 to 2022, Party committees and authorities at all levels in Dien Bien province mobilized funds and resources to build nearly 7,000 houses for the poor in the districts of Muong Nha, Tua Chua, Dien Bien Dong, and Nam Po. The "Program of Compassionate Homes and Social Welfare" in Dien Bien province continues to spread as a strong movement of gratitude.
While searching for families who had found new homes, I met a Hmong man named Hờ A Nếnh from Tìa Ghênh village, Keo Lôm commune, Điện Biên Đông district. He said emotionally, “Before, my wife and I had to live in a makeshift house. It was cold in winter and flooded during the rainy season. Now, with the support of district officials, we have a new house. My wife, my family, and everyone in our village are so happy… Having a house to live in is wonderful!”
In the highlands of Tủa Chùa, Mr. Chang A Sào, from Mảng Chiềng village, Sín Chải commune, couldn't hide his joy: "Before, I thought, 'I don't know when I'll ever be able to build a beautiful house to live in.' For many years, I lived in an old, dilapidated house that leaked when it rained. Sometimes, when the jungle rain came suddenly, my wife, children, and I had to put on helmets and wait for the rain to stop. Today, living in a new house thanks to the support of officials in terms of money and labor... I feel like I'm dreaming. Now I'm not afraid of the rain, not afraid of the wind... I can sleep soundly without much worry."
The dream of a warm home in winter, sheltered from rain and sun, and free from leaks has become a reality for Mr. Hờ A Tùng, from Háng Sùa village, Tả Sìn Thàng commune (Tủa Chùa district). Mr. Tùng's family is classified as poor and single-parent. A few years ago, Mr. Tùng unfortunately suffered a work accident, affecting his health and the family's income. Life was difficult and impoverished, but thanks to the "Shelter of Love, Social Welfare" program of Điện Biên province, after nearly two months of construction, Mr. Tùng's house was completed, bringing him joy. In the final housing handover of 2022 in Tủa Chùa district, Điện Biên province, 366 houses were given to the poor. People like Mr. Tùng and Mr. Sào now have sturdy homes.
Nearly 70 years after the liberation of Dien Bien Phu, the people of various ethnic groups are once again embarking on the task of building and protecting the border, creating a prosperous life, and striving to escape poverty. Besides the efforts of the people of these ethnic groups, there is also the joint contribution of local authorities at all levels, and the investment of resources from the Party and the State…
"A million loving hearts – a thousand happy homes"
Following up on the "Shelter of Love and Social Welfare" program of Dien Bien province, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee launched a large-scale program in mid-May.
At the launching ceremony, President Vo Van Thuong stated that the "Millions of Loving Hearts, Thousands of Happy Homes" program is a high-level commitment to eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses, ensuring that poor households have safe and stable housing, enabling them to improve their living standards and escape poverty sustainably. This is a beautiful act, demonstrating a humane and compassionate spirit, both a responsibility and a sincere expression of gratitude to the people of the ethnic groups in this land where they previously made great sacrifices, contributing their strength, resources, and even their blood and bones to the Fatherland.
The program will run from May 2023 to May 2024, and is expected to support the construction and donation of 7,000 to 8,000 solidarity houses... Of these, approximately 5,000 will be donated to families in Dien Bien, the cradle of the revolution.
Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Do Van Chien, stated that, with its profound political, social, and humanitarian significance, the program contributes to supporting ethnic minority people in Dien Bien province and the Northwest region to overcome poverty, improve their material and spiritual lives, and feel secure in their connection to the borderland of the Fatherland.
Organizations and individuals can contribute through three forms: Donating via the Central "For the Poor" Fund account so that the Central "For the Poor" Fund Campaign Committee can transfer the funds to Dien Bien province to provide support to eligible individuals; donating directly to the Dien Bien province's "For the Poor" Fund account so that Dien Bien province can organize the distribution to eligible individuals; and directly supporting and assisting households in Dien Bien province.
Surprisingly, right after the launching ceremony, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dien Bien province received the first round of donations totaling 200 billion VND, equivalent to the cost of 4,000 houses.
Mr. Lo Van Mung, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dien Bien province, said: "After the Provincial Party Standing Committee issues the plan, we will propose and advise on the establishment of Steering Committees for building houses for the poor at all levels, from the province to the commune and ward. Then we will develop detailed plans for each household, each commune, each district, including timelines and participating forces… Especially in difficult, remote, and isolated areas, and for poor, single-parent households, the province will mobilize many supporting forces, with the entire political system involved to help the people."
Perhaps this is the largest-scale housing support campaign for the poor in Dien Bien province to date. From now until the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2024), Dien Bien province will provide support to an additional 5,000 poor households, creating 5,000 "homes of compassion." These are the tremendous efforts and the care shown by the entire political system of Dien Bien province, as well as the special attention given by Party and State leaders to the ethnic minority communities in Dien Bien.
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