Springtime retreat

Spring is arriving in the countryside of Thanh Hoa province, and joy has just knocked on the doors of many disadvantaged families in the province. For them, this spring has come earlier and is warmer from the simplest things: welcoming the spring in a new, sturdy, and loving home.

Ms. Phan Thi Hien (wearing a red hat) poses for a photo with leaders of the Red Cross Society, Hop Tien commune, and sponsors in her new home.

The road leading to Hop Tien commune in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of 2026 is more vibrant with the colors of peach blossoms and kumquats. In the middle of the residential area, the new house of 82-year-old Mrs. Phan Thi Hien stands out, simple yet sturdy. The house, over 60 square meters, was completed just in time for spring, becoming a peaceful haven for a woman who has lived almost her entire life alone. The house was built solidly with a total cost of approximately 350 million VND. Of that, 150 million VND was contributed by sponsors through the Red Cross, along with many essential items. At the same time, to help Mrs. Hien have a new home, neighbors contributed labor, joining hands to build this warm and loving home. The completed roof, each brick and each wall, is not just a material structure, but also the culmination of sharing and support within the community.

In her new house, still smelling of fresh paint, everything was neatly arranged by Mrs. Hien, just enough for a peaceful life. The small kitchen was warm enough for her to prepare her daily meals. Joyful and excited in her new home, Mrs. Phan Thi Hien emotionally shared: “This year, having a new house to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) in, I am so happy. Thank you to the government, the Red Cross, philanthropists, and everyone who helped me have a sturdy roof over my head.”

Quietly sweeping and tidying every corner of the house, though her hands trembled with age, her eyes shone with joy, each movement careful as if conveying gratitude. For her, this spring she didn't need much more; a sturdy roof over her head was enough for her old age to peacefully welcome a complete Lunar New Year.

Leaving Mrs. Hien's house, we continued our journey of "settling down in the new home" in Tan Tien commune. In a small alley in Hamlet 20, the new house of Mr. Nguyen Van Thuat (76 years old) and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Phan (74 years old) was finally completed after many days of anticipation. The house, measuring over 50 square meters, is not large, but it is the "sweet fruit" of months and years the couple lived in their old, severely dilapidated house.

Both Mr. Thuat and Mrs. Phan were affected by the war, suffering from poor health and facing many hardships, lacking the means to repair their house. Previously, each rainy season brought more worry. Wishing to create a stable home for them – veterans of the revolution – the local authorities and the Red Cross surveyed and established a humanitarian project to mobilize resources for support. Thanks to this, in early 2025, the provincial Red Cross successfully appealed to benefactors for funding to build a house for Mr. Thuat. With that support, the couple borrowed additional funds from relatives; the local government, the Fatherland Front, and the people contributed labor. The new house was built solidly, with a raised foundation and a sturdy roof, providing shelter from the sun and rain, allowing the couple to live in peace and security.

These days, despite their declining health, the couple still slowly clean their house together, preparing for Tet (Lunar New Year). Mr. Thuat meticulously wipes down the doors, while Mrs. Phan carefully rearranges each item. The atmosphere of Tet preparation here is quiet but warm. "Before, we were so worried whenever there was a storm, fearing the house would collapse. Thanks to the support from the Party committee, the government, and philanthropists, we can celebrate Tet in our new house this year, and I feel so warm inside," Mrs. Phan shared emotionally.

For the elderly, joy is sometimes simply sitting in their new home, watching the spring sunshine fall on the porch, and feeling a sense of peace.

The houses completed before Tet (Lunar New Year) are not only a source of joy for each family but also demonstrate the clear effectiveness of the province's social welfare policies in caring for the lives of those in difficult circumstances. In the spirit of "leaving no one behind," Thanh Hoa province has been implementing many housing support programs, especially prioritizing policy beneficiaries, elderly people living alone, victims of Agent Orange, poor households, and households severely affected by natural disasters.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Phan and her husband in Tan Tien commune are peacefully standing in front of their newly built house, prepared for the Lunar New Year of the Horse.

Within this overall context, the Red Cross at all levels has played a pivotal role as a bridge in humanitarian work, demonstrating flexibility in its approach and a focus on the practical realities of each locality. Beyond simply receiving and distributing aid, the Red Cross branches have proactively coordinated with local authorities to identify and select the right beneficiaries; they have directly surveyed the housing situation and developed support plans tailored to each family's circumstances. Over the past two years, the Thanh Hoa Red Cross has mobilized resources to support the construction of more than 20 houses for people in difficult circumstances. Notably, the Red Cross's approach is not simply a matter of "giving and receiving," but rather emphasizes sustainability. Each house supported is designed to ensure safety against storms and is suitable for the living conditions of the elderly and vulnerable.

Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Red Cross Society, Nguyen Quoc Thanh, stated: “With the principle of supporting the right people, in a transparent and open manner, each completed house is not only a warm home, but also a testament to the care of the Party, the State, and the entire community for those in difficult circumstances, helping them stabilize their lives, especially before the New Year. To ensure that ‘no one is left behind,’ the society will continue to work alongside localities, diversifying resource mobilization methods, prioritizing housing support for vulnerable groups, especially in remote areas and areas frequently affected by natural disasters. The goal is not only to complete the houses in the immediate future, but also to contribute to the realization of the province’s social welfare policies, so that every spring, joy spreads from these compassionate homes.”

Text and photos: Thùy Linh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/xuan-an-cu-277933.htm