Many good and creative ways of doing things among veterans

The economic development model of veteran Lo Van Tuong, Na Phay 2 village, Muong Nha commune, Dien Bien district, generates an income of over 100 million VND/year. *In the photo: Veteran Lo Van Tuong takes care of fruit trees.*

With the motto of learning from Uncle Ho "practice what you preach", veteran Luong Van Nui, Nghi village, Pa Khoang commune, Dien Bien Phu city always ponders on how to develop an economic model suitable for his family. In 2013, he began to research and build a model of raising wild bees for honey. Thanks to his diligence in researching and learning, his family has now developed nearly 100 wild bee hives; on average, 1 year, he harvests about 300 liters of honey with a selling price of 150,000 - 200,000 VND/liter of raw honey. Along with raising wild bees for honey, Mr. Nui also planted more than 1,000m2 ^of fruit trees such as: mango, plum, jackfruit and nearly 2,000m2 ^of fish ponds... Every year, the economic model of veteran Nui's family brings in an income of 100 - 150 million VND.

In 1977, veteran Lo Van Tuong, Na Phay 2 village, Muong Nha commune, Dien Bien district, was discharged from the army and returned to his hometown. With the will and spirit of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", he was determined to develop the economy and reduce poverty by building a garden - pond - barn economic model. First, he rented a machine to dig a fish pond with an area of ^3,000m2 . To create more food for fish, Mr. Tuong invested in raising livestock and poultry to take advantage of by-products from livestock farming. In addition to livestock farming, Mr. Tuong chose to grow fruit trees, mainly Cao Phong oranges, grapefruits, and mangoes. Up to now, veteran Lo Van Tuong's family has built a farm including: 3,000m2 ^of fish ponds, 7 buffaloes; nearly 400 Cao Phong orange trees, 20 green-skinned grapefruit trees, 30 mango trees; 6,000m2 ^of rice fields, 6,000m2 ^of corn fields. After deducting expenses, veteran Lo Van Tuong's family earns over 100 million VND each year.

War veterans Luong Van Nui and Lo Van Tuong are just two of nearly 19,000 war veterans currently living in the province after being discharged from the army and returning to their hometowns to focus on production, studying and following Uncle Ho's example. With the motto "Studying and following Uncle Ho's teachings must be specific, words must go hand in hand with actions", in recent times, war veterans' associations at all levels in the province have implemented measures to help members overcome difficulties, strive to develop the economy, and reduce poverty sustainably. Every year, war veterans' associations at all levels coordinate with specialized units to open training courses to transfer science and technology, organize visits for members to economic models and good production households in and outside the province; thereby helping war veterans' members improve their knowledge, boldly change the structure of crops and livestock, bringing high economic efficiency.

In the movement of "War veterans unite to help each other develop the economy, eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, and strive to become rich legitimately", 40 enterprises, cooperatives and hundreds of economic models of farms and households owned by war veterans have been established in the province, with an average income of 100 million VND to nearly 1 billion VND/year. Currently, the War Veterans Association at all levels in the province is managing over 500 loan groups, creating conditions for over 17,000 members to borrow capital to invest in economic development, with a total outstanding debt of nearly 960 billion VND. Up to now, the proportion of war veteran members' families with good or rich economic conditions accounts for over 45% of the total number of members. On average, each year, 2-3% of war veteran members' families escape poverty.

Realizing the role and importance of studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style, every year the Provincial Association of War Veterans organizes competitions and commends and rewards collectives and individuals with many achievements in studying and following Uncle Ho. With specific and practical actions, they have been and are contributing to affirming the role and responsibility of war veterans in the new era. They are shining examples of diligence, creativity, and the will to strive for the younger generation to learn and follow.

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