The measure of happiness

Happiness isn't about grand concepts or slogans; for many people in the highlands, it begins with very familiar changes in daily life: having a sturdy roof over their heads, a stable job, children attending school, and access to healthcare when they are sick. These seemingly simple things are gradually becoming the "measure of happiness" as social welfare, poverty reduction, and human development policies are implemented comprehensively and effectively.

Having toiled their entire lives, Mr. Ly Van Nghi's family in Go Chua village, Thac Ba commune, never imagined living in a sturdy, spacious house. The new house, worth over 200 million VND, not only provides peace of mind for the family during each rainy and stormy season but also marks a new beginning for their lives.

Mr. Nghi emotionally shared: "Having a house now, I feel like my life has turned a new page. My family feels truly happy to receive the care and attention from the Party, the State, and philanthropists."

Over the past period, tens of thousands of households have improved their living conditions thanks to housing support and livelihood development programs. The entire province has completed the construction and renovation of more than 12,900 houses, creating an important foundation for people to stabilize their lives and gradually rise out of poverty. Not only have they found stable housing, but many households have also boldly transformed their production methods and sought new business opportunities. With a solid foundation, their confidence in the future has grown with each passing season.

Along with housing, healthcare for the people is identified as one of the important pillars of happiness. The expansion of health insurance policies has helped many families alleviate their burdens when they unfortunately fall ill. Mr. Vuong Van Thai, from Khuan La village, Yen Binh commune, still clearly remembers the times he hesitated before deciding to see a doctor because he didn't have enough money. Floods made his family's economic situation even more difficult. Receiving a health insurance card was a huge relief for him.

"Now, going to the doctor is no longer a worry about the cost. For people in difficult circumstances like us, this is very practical support. I am very happy," Mr. Thai said emotionally.

In recent years, many social resources have been mobilized to support people's access to healthcare services. Thousands of health insurance cards have been handed directly to those in difficult circumstances, contributing to strengthening people's trust in social security policies, with 96.5% of the province's population participating in health insurance.

Simultaneously, the healthcare system, from the provincial level to the grassroots, continues to be invested in and upgraded. People in mountainous areas are increasingly accessing healthcare services more conveniently, and the quality of healthcare is gradually improving. These changes are not only reflected in the numbers but are also evident in the feelings of each family as their lives become more secure.

The happiness of many families today is measured by the maturity of their children. While in the past, attending school in mountainous areas faced many obstacles, now, with a well-organized school network and increasingly modern facilities, conditions have become more favorable for learning.

Giang Thi Dung, a student in class 10B at Bac Ha Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School in Lung Xa 2 village, Bao Nhai commune, emotionally shared: “My family is very poor. If it weren't for the Party and State's policies for ethnic boarding students, I would hardly have had the opportunity to continue my education at the high school level.”

"Being able to attend boarding school is a great joy for me. Here, we are taken care of by the teachers in terms of meals and sleep, and we study in a good environment, so I feel lucky and happy. I will try my best to study hard so that I can help my family and contribute to building my hometown in the future."

Currently, most schools in the province have met national standards, accommodating the educational needs of hundreds of thousands of students. Vocational education is also emphasized, helping students choose careers that suit local conditions. These advances in education open up opportunities for the younger generation, contributing to improving the quality of human resources and creating a foundation for sustainable development.

Happiness comes not only from the State's care but also from the efforts of the people themselves. The family of Mr. Thào A Cháy, in Tấu Trên village, Trạm Tấu commune, was classified as a poor household for many years. In early 2025, he received support in the form of breeding cows from the sustainable poverty reduction program. After participating in livestock farming training courses, Mr. Cháy boldly invested in barns and cared for his herd of cows according to the instructions.

Thanks to this, his family's finances gradually stabilized, and he voluntarily requested to be removed from the list of impoverished households in 2025. "The government provides opportunities, but we have to try our best to change our lives," Mr. Chay shared.

Stories like Mr. Chay's demonstrate the clear effectiveness of support programs when people proactively seize opportunities. The province's poverty rate continues to decrease, with only 5.5% of households remaining poor by the end of 2025. The material and spiritual lives of the people are gradually improving. The local happiness index reached 68.3%, reflecting a positive transformation in the quality of life of the community.

From new roofs, paved roads leading to schools and well-equipped health centers, to satisfying meals and faith in their children's future… all of these are creating a vibrant and colorful picture of life.

Happiness is no longer a distant concept but is present in every concrete change. It is the result of persistently implementing policies and strategies focused on people; the joint efforts of the entire political system; and the striving of each individual citizen.

On the path of development, there are still difficulties to overcome, but from the foundation already built, the belief in a better life is spreading strongly in many villages and residential areas throughout the province. Happiness is not something grand, but rather the feeling of peace when life becomes stable, fulfilling, and full of hope day by day.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/thuoc-do-hanh-phuc-post896233.html