Alongside gifts presented on holidays and special occasions, local authorities across Ho Chi Minh City are taking concrete steps to support people with meritorious services and policy beneficiary families. From home repairs and livelihood assistance to taking elderly residents for medical checkups, these efforts are tailored to the actual needs of individual families and communities.
Repairing homes, creating livelihoods
In late August, veteran Nguyen Huu Chuc expressed his gratitude for the support of his fellow veterans and local authorities after his home in Nhi Tan 1 Hamlet, Xuan Thoi Son Commune, was renovated.
The house had previously deteriorated but has now been repaired and upgraded at VND60 million (US$2,300). The funding came from donations mobilized by the Ho Chi Minh City Veterans Association, with contributions from local authorities, organizations and residents.
The house is now much stronger and more secure, allowing his family to have a stable home, work with greater peace of mind and gradually improve their lives, he said.
Xuan Thoi Son Commune has also provided livelihood equipment, including water pumps, car-washing machines and sewing machines, to three disadvantaged policy beneficiary families in Tan Lap Hamlet. The equipment was selected based on each family’s work, production and business needs, giving them better opportunities to earn a living and achieve greater economic stability.
Dang Thi Be, representing the recipient families, expressed her appreciation for the local authorities’ support, saying the assistance provided both encouragement and motivation for families to overcome difficulties and improve their lives.
In Chanh Hiep Ward, in addition to presenting gifts to families of people with meritorious services, youth union members, association members and volunteers have undertaken practical tasks that respond directly to residents’ needs. These include taking elderly members of policy beneficiary families to medical facilities for checkups, cleaning their homes and replacing light bulbs.
Nguyen Cong Ly, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Chanh Hiep Ward, said that in addition to implementing government policies, the ward mobilizes social resources to provide additional support for disadvantaged policy beneficiary families.
Most recently, 50 such families in the ward each received a gift worth VND1 million (US$38).
Targeted support for those in need
Binh My Commune is home to more than 2,000 people with meritorious services and policy beneficiaries, including wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, relatives of martyrs, former prisoners of war and revolutionary activists affected by chemical exposure.
Ahead of National Day on September 2, the commune has proactively organized visits and activities to honor and support these families.
During their visits, local officials not only presented gifts but also listened to residents’ concerns and aspirations and learned about their living conditions.
According to Nguyen Chi Dung, Secretary of the Binh My Commune Party Committee, caring for policy beneficiary families and people with meritorious services is a regular responsibility, rather than something limited to holidays, New Year celebrations or anniversaries. Officials need to proactively understand the circumstances of each family and identify those requiring additional support.
In addition to implementing central and municipal policies, Binh My Commune has mobilized businesses and benefactors to support people with meritorious services and policy beneficiary families. Recently, a local business contributed about VND500 million (US$19,000) to support such families.
A similar approach is being taken in Thai My Commune, which has more than 3,400 policy beneficiary families.
One recent project involved paving a 160-meter road leading to the home of Vietnamese Heroic Mother Nguyen Thi Bun. The project was funded through contributions from Party members, officials, civil servants, public employees, workers and armed forces personnel.
The Thai My Commune People’s Committee is currently surveying 11 disadvantaged wounded-soldier families whose homes show signs of deterioration to propose repair assistance. The commune also plans to facilitate administrative procedures and construction permits so that the projects can begin by the end of 2026.
Local authorities are also compiling lists of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and wounded soldiers with disability rates of 81 percent or higher to ensure that assistance reaches the right people and is matched to their needs.
In Ba Diem Commune, local authorities have proactively reviewed the circumstances of people with meritorious services, policy beneficiary families and disadvantaged households to determine appropriate forms of assistance.
Local leaders have visited residential areas to meet residents, listen to their concerns and assess their circumstances, helping ensure that support reaches the right beneficiaries and meets their actual needs.
The commune is also promoting the role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, mass organizations and residential communities while mobilizing social resources to support those in need. Families facing housing difficulties are considered for home repairs and upgrades, while households in particularly difficult circumstances receive targeted assistance to help them gradually stabilize their lives.
Practical experience at the grassroots level shows that gratitude and support programs are increasingly focusing on specific, needs-based assistance that provides long-term stability and livelihoods, helping people with meritorious services and policy beneficiary families build more secure lives.
