The bond of friendship in Dat Do

As a land rich in revolutionary traditions, having gone through two wars of resistance, the homeland of Dat Do (Ho Chi Minh City) has seen hundreds of cadres, soldiers, and patriotic citizens bravely sacrifice their lives for the cause of national liberation and reunification. Overcoming losses and difficulties, Dat Do today is more prosperous, and the lives of its people, especially those who have contributed to the cause, are more comfortable.

Mr. Phan Thanh Liem, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dat Do commune, presents gifts to families of policy beneficiaries and meritorious individuals on the occasion of July 27th.

The unwavering will of the soldier

Despite being nearly 90 years old, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Trung (born in 1938) remains remarkably sharp, remembering every detail of his participation in the resistance, his imprisonment by the enemy, and the day of his release. He recounted: “In 1962, I began participating in the resistance, later fighting in Battalion 445, the first main armed unit of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, established on May 19, 1965, in Suoi Rao hamlet, Long Tan commune (now Dat Do commune). In 1973, I was captured and imprisoned in Phu Quoc, then transferred to many other provinces, until I was finally released in December 1974 as part of a prisoner-of-war exchange.” Besides the wounds from bombs and bullets, the lingering effects of the brutal war continue to haunt him, as both of his eldest sons have been affected by chemical toxins. With the unwavering spirit of a soldier, he suppressed his grief, worked diligently in the fields and gardens, and cared for his sick children until now.

In a small, one-story house nestled along the road named after the Hero of the Armed Forces, Luu Chi Hieu, Mrs. Mai Thi Du, now 95 years old, still vividly remembers the days of the struggle for the liberation of her homeland. “In this area, back during the French colonial period, many young people aged 16-17 joined the revolution and fought the enemy. I joined the revolution at 16, and shortly after giving birth to my daughter, I was captured by the enemy, separating mother and child. Luckily, my younger sister took my child in and raised her, so I was able to see her again later,” Mrs. Du recounted. As a living witness to two fierce wars, Mrs. Du expressed her joy at the daily changes in her heroic homeland of Dat Do.

Dat Do Commune was established by reorganizing the entire natural area and population of Dat Do town, Long Tan commune, Lang Dai commune, and Phuoc Long Tho commune. Dat Do Commune has a total natural area of ​​119.77 ^km² , divided into 19 neighborhoods and hamlets, and 214 residential groups with 43,862 people. The commune is located on two main transportation routes: National Highway 55 and Provincial Highway 52 .

Lively activities to express gratitude

Every year on the occasion of the War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27th), the temples and martyrs' cemeteries in Dat Do are filled with incense smoke, fresh flowers, and fruit. For a week beforehand, the temples prepare tables and chairs to welcome relatives and friends of the martyrs who come to pay their respects. It's also an opportunity for neighbors to gather, share tea, and discuss farming and gardening. Whether old or young, no matter how busy they are, people here temporarily stop to visit the temples. Some young people shared that even though their elderly relatives are often ill, on July 27th, they still insist on being taken to the martyrs' temples to light incense before returning home.

According to the People's Committee of Dat Do commune, there are currently 1,240 people who have rendered meritorious services to the revolution in the area, including 264 people receiving monthly allowances and 566 martyrs whose names are inscribed at the Dat Do Martyrs' Memorial. In the first six months of 2025, the commune disbursed over 2.9 billion VND in preferential monthly allowances to people who have rendered meritorious services to the revolution, provided emergency assistance of 40 million VND to 11 people who have rendered meritorious services to the revolution; and 100% of people who have rendered meritorious services to the revolution have been provided with free health insurance cards. In addition, 10 people who have rendered meritorious services but are in difficult circumstances, sick, or ill also received an allowance of 36 million VND from the "Gratitude and Repayment" fund of the province and the district.

On the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2025), Ho Chi Minh City organized delegations to visit and present gifts to 3 families of policy beneficiaries with a total of 15 million VND; the People's Committee of the commune visited and presented 10 gifts worth 20 million VND. In particular, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City donated nearly 1.3 billion VND to 1,314 policy beneficiaries. Mr. Phan Thanh Liem, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dat Do commune, said that in recent years, the Party Committee and the government of Dat Do commune have always paid attention to and cared for those who have contributed to the revolution, helping families to have increasingly better lives. In addition, philanthropists have also joined hands with the government to build houses of gratitude, award scholarships, support Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, and give savings accounts to policy beneficiary families.

PHU NGAN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nghia-tinh-dat-do-post806199.html