At the age of 80, Mr. Cuong still earns 200 million VND per year from his garden and forest.

“Despite his advanced age, Mr. Cuong is always exemplary and enthusiastic in local movements. His diligence and optimism have inspired our younger generation to follow his example,” shared Ms. Ho Thi Suon, Deputy Secretary of the Nam Dong Commune Youth Union, as she led us down the small road to Mr. Cuong’s house.

Mr. Cuong was busy tending to his fragrant garden, which was in full bloom. "My children tell me to rest and get some rest, but I can't stand sitting still," Mr. Cuong said in a booming voice.

Before 1975, he participated in the resistance war against the US to save the country. After the reunification of the country, he continued to serve the local community, holding many important positions such as Party Secretary and Chairman of the People's Committee of Thuong Nhat commune. He retired in 2000, but instead of enjoying a peaceful life with his children and grandchildren, he remained dedicated to social work, particularly with the Elderly Association of the former Thuong Nhat commune. For over 10 years as Chairman of the Association, he was always energetic, responsible, and a shining example of hard work and productivity.

"Elderly people shouldn't rest all day; as long as they have the strength, they should work, working to set an example. The older they get, the higher their aspirations become. They must live in a way that their children and grandchildren can look up to and learn from," Mr. Cuong affirmed.

Currently, he and his wife still tend to 10 hectares of acacia and eucalyptus trees and 2 hectares of rubber trees that are currently being harvested. In the garden around their house, bananas, jackfruit, pineapples, tomatoes, etc., are intercropped, yielding harvests year-round. When he was healthier, he once built a large livestock farm with dozens of cows and goats roaming across the hillsides. Now that his health has declined, he has switched to small-scale farming with about 100 chickens and ducks, both for his family's meals and to share with his neighbors.

What he was concerned about wasn't age or health, but the role and spirit of the elderly in society. Before the merger, Thuong Nhat commune had 206 elderly people, including 160 members of the Elderly Association. As Chairman of the Association, he always "inspired" and encouraged everyone to be self-reliant, live healthy lives, and live useful lives.

Mr. Cuong always encourages members, if they are still healthy and have land, not to hesitate to continue working and producing. His love of work, emanating from his daily life and work ethic, has spread and inspired many elderly members of the association. "Here, there's no shortage of elderly people who are successful in business, " Mr. Cuong said with a gentle smile, recounting examples such as Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phia, 73 years old, who has succeeded with his organic pig farming model; or Mr. Ho Van Duong, 78 years old, who has built a model of raising chickens and ducks combined with growing bananas, jackfruit, and pineapples... providing a stable income and a comfortable life in old age.

Not only is Mr. Cuong exemplary in his work, but he also actively encourages members to participate in social activities, contributing to maintaining security and order and building a cultural life in the village. In particular, he always cares about the health of the elderly, because, according to him, "if we are healthy, our spirits will be strong, we will be able to spread positive energy, and we will be a source of spiritual support for our children and grandchildren."

Mr. Cuong's day begins at dawn. He tends to his garden, feeds his chickens and ducks, and then busies himself with the elders in the village association discussing village affairs. He lives a happy and productive life, serving as a role model for his descendants.

Mr. Vo Van Don, Head of the Economic Department of Nam Dong Commune, commented, "Mr. Ho Van Cuong is an energetic person in association work, and also diligent in labor and production." For many years, Mr. Cuong has been commended and rewarded by various levels of government for his many contributions to the community.

Text and photos: LE HA

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/tuoi-cao-chi-cang-cao-156590.html