Leader of Gie Trieng ethnic group turns obstacles into advantages

From a Gie Trieng girl stuck in the mindset of "women can't do it", Ms. Ho Thi Do (Phuoc Nang commune, Da Nang city) gradually changed gender stereotypes, promoted the local youth movement, inspired young people to overcome difficulties, and proactively rise up to build their homeland.

Knowledge is the only way out of poverty

Ms. Ho Thi Do, "leader of the delegation" of Phuoc My commune for the 2017-2025 term.

We met Ms. Ho Thi Do on a business trip to Phuoc Nang commune - where she had just received a new assignment after leaving the position of Secretary of the Phuoc My commune Youth Union (Phuoc Son district, former Quang Nam province). Still with a bright smile and an unchanged spirit of dedication, whether on rainy days in the middle of the forest or when the sun is scorching in the highlands, this Gie Trieng woman has never stopped making efforts for the community.

Born into a large farming family, Ms. Do realized that knowledge was the only way to escape poverty. When her peers in the village stopped studying after primary and secondary school to get married or follow their parents to the fields, she quietly traveled dozens of kilometers to town to continue her high school education, then traveled hundreds of kilometers to Hue City to study Law. After graduating from university, she returned to her hometown to work at the People's Committee of Phuoc My commune, taking on the position of civil status officer.

In 2017, she was transferred to work in the mass organization - becoming Secretary of the Youth Union of Phuoc My commune. At first, she couldn't help but wonder: "I am a woman, my health, intelligence, time and family factors are all limited and hindering. Until now, the mass organization work has always been undertaken by men, can I handle it? Moreover, when I was a civil servant, I was almost passive, just sitting in one place waiting for people to come. When I became Secretary of the commune's Youth Union, I had to be proactive, outline my own plans and methods of operation, be enthusiastic about the movement... everything was new and difficult."

Gender is not a barrier

With a spirit of learning from the secretaries of the previous terms, along with proactively grasping the local situation, she gradually mastered her new position. From a commune union operating at a standstill, the Phuoc My Commune Youth Union under the leadership of Ms. Do quickly transformed itself.

More than 95% of the union members and youth in the commune are ethnic minorities, most of whom live in forests and fields, with limited economic conditions and awareness, so mobilizing them to participate in union movements and volunteer activities is a big challenge. However, Ms. Do has turned obstacles into advantages. She uses the ethnic language to mobilize, chat, create closeness and connection with each union member and youth.

Ms. Ho Thi Do mobilized youth union members to participate in eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses for poor households in the locality.

"If you want them to follow, you must first set an example," Do shared. So, from mobilizing young people to clean up village roads and improve the living environment, to mobilizing them to join hands in eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses for poor households, she went directly to each house and called on each member to participate. Cultural and sports activities were also strongly inspired by the local youth.

Especially the journey of bringing young people to join in building new rural areas in the highlands, in the memory of the person who used to be the leader of that group, it was a thorny "revolution" but the result was extremely sweet.

"Previously, cattle and buffalo were allowed to roam freely, destroying crops and littering... Now, many households have voluntarily planted flowers, built fences, and decorated their alleys. It all started with the influence of young people in each family. To change that, I took the lead and mobilized each child and sibling in each family - they are a connecting point, propagating to relatives to raise awareness about environmental issues, and enthusiastically respond to rural development" - Ms. Do said.

During her 8 years working in the Youth Union, Ms. Do has proven that gender is not a barrier if the cadre is dedicated and dares to innovate. These efforts have contributed to making Phuoc My Commune Youth Union one of the leading units in the district for many consecutive years.

Ms. Ho Thi Do gradually changed her thinking and way of doing things.

In 2025, Ms. Do was transferred to work as a specialist of the Fatherland Front of Phuoc Nang commune (Da Nang city). The new job has a changing nature, a wider scope of management, more tasks, and higher requirements, but she affirmed: "Thanks to the years of working in the Youth Union, I learned how to be proactive, persistent, and maintain a sense of responsibility in any position. No job is too much if we really try to improve our own capacity and devote ourselves to the People".

From changing her way of thinking, overcoming her own inferiority complex, to persistently accompanying the youth, and completing her assigned tasks well, Ms. Ho Thi Do has contributed to writing a beautiful story about the change of grassroots union work, first of all, overcoming gender prejudices within herself. Despite taking on a new task, the "union leader" of the past still maintains her sense of responsibility, dedication, and desire to contribute to her homeland.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/thu-linh-doan-nguoi-dan-toc-gie-trieng-bien-tro-ngai-thanh-loi-the-20250805144313035.htm