The Tet holiday atmosphere seems to arrive earlier in the new home of war veteran Nguyen Van Khoi in Hamlet 9, Khanh Thien Commune. As a 4th-degree disabled veteran (61% disability rate), Mr. Khoi returned to civilian life with painful wounds whenever the weather changes.
Mr. Khoi recounted the years he faced constant worry about housing when his family lived in a severely dilapidated house. With his health declining, a safe home became his greatest desire. "Now, I no longer worry constantly when it rains or is windy. Having a stable place to live has put my mind at ease," he shared.
What moved Mr. Khoi deeply was that this house was built with the joint efforts and contributions of philanthropists and the Solidarity Bloc of Buddhists and Catholics, with a support of 60 million VND; the Provincial Veterans Association donated 10 million VND, along with hundreds of man-days of cleaning and leveling by his comrades. Mr. Khoi shared: "It is in times of difficulty that the true meaning of camaraderie and fellowship is revealed. My comrades have not abandoned me, even though I left the military a long time ago."
Leaving Khánh Thiện, I returned to Đồng Thịnh commune to meet Mr. Nguyễn Văn Dự. For many years, Mr. Dự's family lived in constant anxiety under a dilapidated roof. During the rainy season, the roof leaked everywhere, and during the storm season, they were terrified of it being blown off. This year, celebrating Tet in a sturdy house, Mr. Dự said that he can now work with peace of mind. This joy came thanks to a 60 million VND donation from the Association of Veteran Entrepreneurs and Businesses in Nam Định. This support has given him and his family renewed motivation, providing them with a secure foundation to stabilize their lives and rise out of poverty.
The stories of Mr. Khoi and Mr. Du are just a few brushstrokes in the overall picture of the work being done by the Veterans Association at all levels in the province to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses. Each house built strengthens faith in the Association and rekindles camaraderie in everyday life.
To achieve those " warm springs, " we cannot overlook the creative and responsible approach of the Veterans' Association at all levels in responding to the nationwide movement to " Eliminate dilapidated and temporary housing" launched by the Prime Minister . The Provincial Veterans' Association Executive Committee launched the emulation movement "Eliminate dilapidated housing for veterans' families." This emulation movement has motivated all cadres and members to uphold a sense of responsibility, promote self-reliance, self-improvement, solidarity, and unity with a spirit of cooperation. "Everyone contributes what they can, everyone contributes their labor, and everyone contributes their wealth."
One of the most significant initiatives is the " 2,000 VND House " model. Originating from the idea of saving, each member contributes a mere 2,000 VND per month. This seemingly small amount, barely enough to buy a few vegetables or a snack at the market, has, when multiplied by the generosity of tens of thousands of people, created a massive resource. Since 2021, this model has accumulated 2.43 billion VND, directly supporting the construction of 40 new houses and the repair of 27 houses for veteran association members .
In addition, the "Comradeship Fund" and "Veteran's Solidarity Fund," along with socialized resources, have further facilitated the construction and renovation of housing for veteran cadres and members. This achievement has helped the province complete its goal of eliminating the need for veteran members to live in temporary or dilapidated houses.
Comrade Pham Van Toan, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Khanh Thien commune, said: The Association has mobilized cadres and members to voluntarily contribute to the "Comrade's House" fund with a minimum of 20,000 VND per person. Along with connecting with businesses and philanthropists, the Khanh Thien commune Veterans Association has so far received over 2 billion VND, supporting the construction and use of 55 houses of compassion. For example, in the case of veteran Nguyen Van Duoc (a victim of Agent Orange), when his house deteriorated beyond habitation, the Standing Committee of the Association vouched for the materials, mobilized relatives, and connected with the Provincial Association of Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims to receive 80 million VND for repairs.
In Hai An commune, the Chairman of the Veterans Association, Bui The Van, once shared: "Our biggest concern is how to ensure that each veteran's family has a solid and safe place to live." Driven by this concern, the Association proactively reviewed and coordinated with the local government to build or renovate 12 houses of gratitude for fellow veterans, totaling 800 million VND. Each completed house represents a weight lifted from the hearts of the people, making way for overwhelming happiness.
Looking back over the past three years, the Ninh Binh Provincial Veterans Association's movement to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved remarkable results. A total of over 10.7 billion VND was mobilized. From this fund, 87 new houses were built, and 191 houses were repaired and upgraded. Members also contributed over 16,000 man-days of labor, 600 tons of cement, 80,000 bricks, and tons of steel. These contributions helped the province achieve its basic goal: no more veterans living in temporary housing.
The effectiveness of the movement has also spread thanks to the joint efforts of veteran entrepreneurs. For example, the Association of Veteran Entrepreneurs in Nam Dinh, with its spirit of "mutual support and compassion," has provided a total of 720 million VND in support, directly building two houses and participating in many other community projects.
Those figures reflect a great effort, but behind them lies the story of how the Association preserves and nurtures the spirit of camaraderie in peacetime. When each member considers helping one another a duty, the movement naturally spreads.
It is commendable that after securing stable housing, many veterans have proactively strived to improve their lives. From agricultural production and livestock farming to service businesses, many members have become exemplary entrepreneurs in their localities. They continue to contribute, playing a core role in local movements, participating in building new rural areas, maintaining security and order, and contributing to the community.
Veterans' associations at all levels have not only provided housing support but also collaborated in connecting households with preferential loan programs, providing technical training, and creating jobs. Tens of thousands of member households have gained access to policy-based capital, gradually improving their material and spiritual lives.
This spring, walking through the newly built rural villages, seeing the sturdy houses of those who shared the sacred bond of comradeship , my heart is filled with joy. The Lunar New Year brings not only peach blossoms and sticky rice cakes, but also the hope for a brighter future for the soldiers who dedicated their youth to serving the Fatherland. Their homes now not only provide shelter from the rain and sun, but also serve as significant landmarks for educating the younger generation about the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source," and about the unwavering and enduring camaraderie of their fellow soldiers...
Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/xuan-am-trong-nhung-mai-nha-tham-tinh-dong-doi-260212103505390.html
![[Photo] Delegation attending the 14th Congress of the Vietnam Trade Union visits the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/06/03/1780451842301_ndo_br_img-3824-jpg.webp)
Comment (0)