Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trung, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, presented a charity house to Ms. Tran Thi Lieu (in pink shirt) - Photo: VGP
One morning in March 2025, Ms. Tran Thi Lieu (65 years old, residing in Hiep Hoa hamlet, Long Hoa commune, Can Gio district) was moved when receiving a charity house donated by Ho Chi Minh City.
As a poor household in the commune, Mrs. Lieu's life was already difficult, but now it has become even more difficult after a traffic accident while selling lottery tickets, which completely lost her ability to work. She lives with her 85-year-old mother, a son who works as a construction worker, and another son who unfortunately suffers from mental illness. With an unstable income, she has to save every penny to pay for meals day by day, and repairing the dilapidated house is something she has never dared to think about.
"The old house was low and sunken, every time it rained, my mother and I had to stay up all night to drain the water out. Now that the City has supported us to build a new house, my family is very happy, our happiness is beyond words," Ms. Lieu shared, choking up.
Supporting the construction and repair of temporary and dilapidated houses for people in especially difficult circumstances is just one of many practical activities that the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has carried out over the past time.
Over the years, the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front Committee has continuously affirmed its role as a support for the people in social security work. From supporting families with meritorious services to those who have contributed to the revolution to caring for the disadvantaged, thereby spreading the spirit of solidarity and humanity through specific, meaningful and warm-hearted programs.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trung visited and encouraged the family members of Mrs. Tran Thi Lieu - Photo: VGP
Tradition of affection - unique identity of Ho Chi Minh City
To better understand the significance and tireless efforts in this work, reporters of the Government Electronic Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trung, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.
Sir, Ho Chi Minh City has long been known as the "city of love", always at the forefront of movements to care for families with meritorious services, the disadvantaged, etc. So, in your opinion, what has created this valuable tradition?
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trung : The tradition of affection is a profound feature, contributing to the unique identity of Ho Chi Minh City - the city named after Uncle Ho. That tradition was formed from the process of land reclamation and expansion since the 17th century, when people from all over came to live, make a living, and together overcome difficulties with the love of neighbors and the spirit of mutual love.
Through two resistance wars, that sentiment was further strengthened. The people of Saigon-Gia Dinh were not only brave but also compassionate, ready to protect, shelter, and share every bowl of rice and drop of water in the midst of the war.
Besides, the open-minded and generous character of Southern people also contributes to nurturing that spirit of sharing, expressed through every daily action to large-scale volunteer movements.
In modern times, the tradition of kindness continues to be strongly promoted, especially in difficult times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Images of "rice ATMs", "zero-dong kitchens", or relief trucks on the roads are vivid proof of that spirit.
The Ho Chi Minh City government, along with socio-political and religious organizations and volunteers, especially the youth, have been playing a pivotal role in preserving and spreading this value. It can be said that sentiment has become a bond that binds the community, a spiritual strength that helps Ho Chi Minh City overcome challenges and continuously develop.
Households in Can Gio received charity houses donated by the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front in March 2025 - Photo: VGP
Over the years, what outstanding programs has the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front implemented to care for policy families, meritorious people, and the disadvantaged? Which programs have brought about the most profound results and have had a real impact on people's lives?
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trung : Over the years, the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh City has continuously promoted its core role in caring for social security, especially for policy families, people with revolutionary contributions and vulnerable groups in society. With many practical and meaningful programs, the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh City has made an important contribution to improving the material and spiritual life of the people, consolidating the great national unity bloc.
One of the typical, sustainable and far-reaching programs is the "For the Poor" program. This is a continuous program widely implemented by the Fatherland Front at all levels, with the goal of supporting people to escape poverty in a sustainable way. Through the program, thousands of gratitude houses and charity houses have been built, many households have been given means of livelihood, students have been supported with scholarships, learning tools, etc. Not only stopping at immediate support, the program also creates conditions for people to rise up and stabilize their lives in the long term.
In addition, the program "Caring for Tet" for the poor and policy beneficiaries is also a meaningful activity held annually. Every time Tet comes, the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh City coordinates with member organizations to organize the giving of hundreds of thousands of gifts to policy families, meritorious people, the poor, lonely elderly people, disadvantaged workers, etc. These activities not only demonstrate the spirit of mutual love, but also spread affection and sharing in the community, contributing to bringing a warmer and more complete Tet to everyone.
Rice ATM - an idea to spread humanity in the midst of the epidemic in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: VGP
In particular, during the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh City has clearly demonstrated its role as a center for gathering and promoting the strength of the great solidarity bloc. Through the program "Joining hands to prevent and fight the COVID-19 pandemic", it has strongly mobilized social resources to promptly support people in difficulty: Giving millions of welfare bags, hundreds of tons of necessities, food, supporting learning equipment for poor students to study online, supporting medical equipment for frontline hospitals... These activities have contributed to maintaining social stability, ensuring that no one is left behind during the pandemic, and maintaining people's trust in the leadership of the Party and the administration of the government.
Along with that, the activities of "Repaying gratitude" are always paid attention to and implemented regularly. The Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front at all levels organizes visits and presents gifts to Vietnamese heroic mothers, war invalids, sick soldiers, and martyrs' families; supports the construction and repair of gratitude houses... Thereby, demonstrating the morality of "When drinking water, remember its source", showing gratitude to those who have contributed to the country.
With the motto "Leave no one behind", the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh City continues to affirm its core role in mobilizing, connecting resources and caring for people's lives, especially the disadvantaged. The above programs have been creating positive changes, spreading the spirit of solidarity, humanity and sharing in the community, bringing about far-reaching effects, contributing to the sustainable development of the city.
Opportunities from special policies
Resolution 98 of the National Assembly gives special mechanisms to Ho Chi Minh City, so how has the City taken advantage of this to improve the quality of care for the people?
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trung : Resolution 98/2023/QH15 of the National Assembly on piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for Ho Chi Minh City has opened up many important opportunities to improve people's care and promote sustainable development. In the context that the City is facing major challenges in terms of population, economy and social issues, these specific mechanisms will help improve the effectiveness of management and implementation of social security policies in the city.
One of the highlights of Resolution 98 is that Ho Chi Minh City is given the right to mobilize and use the budget more flexibly. This will help the City have more resources to invest in social welfare programs, support the poor, and develop essential areas such as health and education. Being able to proactively adjust the budget will help resolve urgent social security issues more quickly and effectively.
In addition, Ho Chi Minh City has the right to proactively decide on the allocation of public investment capital for poverty reduction programs, while providing preferential loans to people, especially households in difficult circumstances. Creating conditions for people to access these financial resources helps improve their livelihoods, create opportunities for household economic development, thereby contributing to reducing the poverty rate and improving the quality of life for people.
Resolution 98 also allows Ho Chi Minh City to attract investment in important areas such as health, education and social infrastructure, contributing to improving the quality of public services and health care for the community. In addition, there is a policy to support small and medium enterprises to access capital, create new jobs and increase people's income, contributing to the development of the economy. Enterprises will have more motivation to expand their production and business scale, thereby creating resources for social security programs, promoting the sustainable development of the City.
At the same time, Resolution 98 has a direct impact, creating favorable conditions for administrative reform - one of the important factors helping social security policies to be implemented quickly, transparently and effectively. Simplified and improved administrative procedures will help implement social security programs and policies more conveniently, improve efficiency and strengthen people's trust in the City's policies.
Phuoc Long B Ward Red Cross Society (Thu Duc City) gives necessities to local people when the COVID-19 epidemic is raging in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: VGP
In the coming time, what plans does the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front have to continue promoting the spirit of solidarity, ensuring that no one is left behind?
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trung : The spirit of "leaving no one behind" is not only a slogan but has become the driving force for the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh City to persistently implement social security programs over the past time. In the coming time, we will continue to promote the care for the disadvantaged, the poor, the lonely elderly, orphans and the disabled through practical programs such as "For the poor", "Repaying gratitude"... At the same time, we will replicate models with strong humaneness such as "Sentimental neighborhood", "Support to school", "Help each other overcome difficulties"... to arouse the spirit of solidarity and sharing in the community.
We also continue to promote the role of connecting and mobilizing social resources, mobilizing the active participation of businesses, organizations and individuals in funds such as "For the Poor", Relief Fund, etc., to ensure that social security policies are implemented effectively, to the right people, at the right time. Along with that, we strengthen social supervision and criticism to promptly detect shortcomings in the implementation process, ensuring transparency and fairness in resource allocation.
The Vietnam Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh City also pays special attention to honoring typical individuals and organizations in social security and charity work to spread the spirit of humanity and multiply good values in society. Finally, to adapt to the digital age, we are promoting the application of technology in management, supervision and support for people, helping to connect more quickly, accurately and effectively with the community. With these orientations, the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh City will continue to be a solid foundation, joining hands to build a city of love, humanity and sustainable development.
Zero-dong market in Thu Duc City supports people in difficult circumstances in the area - Photo: VGP
In your opinion, what is the role of the business community, social organizations and people in activities to care for the disadvantaged? Do you have any message to send to individuals and organizations to join hands in building a more compassionate Ho Chi Minh City?
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trung : The role of the business community, social organizations and people in activities to care for the disadvantaged is extremely important and complementary.
The business community, with its financial resources and large-scale organizational capabilities, participates in caring activities through social responsibility programs, sponsors charity funds, provides essential products or creates job opportunities for people in difficult circumstances. In addition, it helps improve the vocational qualifications of the poor, contributing to helping them become independent and improve their lives.
Social organizations, including non-profit organizations and volunteer groups, act as a bridge between the community and the vulnerable. They organize practical support programs, from distributing food and clothing to health care or job training, while raising public awareness of social issues.
As for the people, each individual, no matter how small, can contribute by volunteering, contributing financially, or simply sharing love. These actions not only help improve the lives of the disadvantaged but also spread the spirit of solidarity and mutual love in the community.
The harmonious combination of businesses, social organizations and people creates a strong support network, helping to build a humane, fair Ho Chi Minh City that leaves no one behind.
Here, I would like to convey one thing: "We are the strength, humanity is the key - Together we build a compassionate Ho Chi Minh City". Every individual and every organization in the community contributes to creating a common strength. Humanity is the glue that connects, helping to build a developing and loving city. Let's join hands to build a connected, compassionate and prosperous Ho Chi Minh City.
Thank you very much!
Anh Tho (performed)
Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/tphcm-khi-nghia-tinh-tro-thanh-dong-luc-phat-trien-102250413115249365.htm
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