Dong Nai residents learn from and follow President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings

In Dong Nai Province, the movement to study and follow President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style has taken on greater depth and significance. It has become a regular and meaningful part of daily life not only for officials and Party members, but also for citizens from all walks of life.

Veteran Do Tham (center) recounts memories of a heroic time during the resistance war.

The commitment to studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and lifestyle is not limited to emulation movements but is deeply ingrained in everyday actions and behaviors. People choose to follow Uncle Ho’s example through the simplest things: maintaining a green – clean - beautiful environment, living harmoniously and compassionately with others; working diligently, and dedicating fully to their communities.

A life devoted to studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings

Born into a family steeped in revolutionary tradition, veteran Do Tham, a native of Tan Quan Commune, grew up with a deep-rooted sense of patriotism and a steadfast commitment to serving the nation and its people. In March 1962, he joined the liberation forces, embarking on a difficult yet noble journey in the fight for national independence.

At 21, he enlisted in the army and was assigned to Unit C75. He later underwent training as a medic and continued his service in Unit C70. Starting from March 1968, he served in the 368th Battalion of the former Binh Long Provincial Military Command. The intense and challenging years in Binh Long, Loc Ninh, and Quan Loi … helped shape his bravery and unwavering determination.

Under the harsh and deprived conditions of the battlefield, Tham not only tended to the wounded but also faced relentless bombardments. He himself was wounded several times, leaving lasting effects that persist to this day. Yet, as President Ho Chi Minh once said, “Wounded but not disabled,” he never lost his spirit. He recounted, “Back then, our only thought was to fight for independence and freedom. If we survived, we would advance with our comrades; if we sacrificed, it was for the homeland.” This military medic was known among his fellow soldiers for his dedication and compassion, truly embodying Uncle Ho’s teaching that “A good doctor has the heart of a mother.”

After the country’s reunification, he continued his military service for a period before transferring to the Medical Center of Binh Long Rubber Company. Renowned for his professional expertise and compassionate dedication, he gradually rose to the position of Director, faithfully serving the healthcare needs of both the company’s workers and the local community until his retirement in 2022.

In every role, he has faithfully upheld the oath of a revolutionary physician, always putting the people’s welfare first and dedicating himself wholeheartedly to community healthcare.

Upon retirement while still in good health, veteran Do Tham turned to agriculture. He pioneered land reclamation, expanded his rubber plantations, and cultivated medicinal herbs. From just a few hectares, he now manages over 50 hectares of rubber trees and 5 hectares of polyscias, providing stable employment for more than 30 workers. Though over 85, he still drives to his farm every day and works side by side with his employees. He said, “Uncle Ho once reminded us that, even in old age, we must always set a good example. As long as I am still in good health, I will keep working and giving back.” In addition to building a prosperous family, he has been actively involved in supporting the community.  Since 2016, he has donated more than one billion VND to fund the construction of five gratitude houses for fellow veterans and disadvantaged locals, alongside supporting various other charitable initiatives.

Village elder Dieu PLo goes door to door, encouraging residents to comply with the law.

From a brave battlefield medic to a devoted doctor and now a thriving farmer, veteran Do Tham has consistently exemplified the virtues of an Uncle Ho’s soldier. He remains dedicated to serving his homeland with wisdom and compassion, guided by a lifelong commitment to Uncle Ho’s principles of diligence, frugality, integrity, fairness, and selflessness. He stands as a powerful living example of the spirit of studying and following Uncle Ho’s teachings – a shining example for current and future generations.

Having served in the police force for years, the 71-year-old village elder Dieu PLo from Tan Thanh commune, a border area in Dong Nai province, has long been a respected example in studying and living by the ideology, ethics, and leadership style of Ho Chi Minh. Guided by his motto, “visiting every alley, knocking on every door,” he has actively collaborated with local Party committees, government agencies, the Fatherland Front, and grassroots mass organizations to encourage residents and their families to fully comply with the Party’s policies and State laws. Over the years, he has played a vital role in fostering national unity, promoting patriotic emulation movements, supporting environmental sanitation, developing infrastructure, and advancing the local economy especially emphasizing the prevention of illegal border crossings.

As Dieu PLo explains, gaining the trust and support of the community requires setting a good example by actively participating in local affairs and leading successful family farming and business endeavors. He has been recognized for years as an excellent farmer and entrepreneur at the provincial level. His family cultivates 8 hectares of rubber trees and fruit orchards, earning an annual income of several hundred million VND. Based on his experience, he advises locals on advanced livestock breeding and intensive cultivation of high-value crops, helping them gradually move away from traditional practices like slash-and-burn and repetitive clearing. Additionally, he encourages residents to maintain clean and green roads and neighborhoods, persuades land donations for road construction, motivates school dropouts to return to their studies, and works to eliminate early marriage customs within the community.

“Following Uncle Ho’s example means embracing the most fundamental values: living with honesty, ensuring actions match words, and caring for the people as if they were family. I constantly remind myself to maintain strong moral integrity and set an example in every community responsibility. When I lead with sincerity and take the initiative, people trust me and follow my example,” shared Dieu PLo.

Actions speak louder than words

Both the older generations and the youth of Dong Nai proudly embody the spirit of “Where there’s a need, youth will rise; no challenge is too great for them.” They are actively engaged in learning and skill-building to become a vital driving force in the nation’s development.

In line with the policy of the Provincial Party Committee on strengthening the contingent of leadership at all levels, particularly at the grassroots, on August 1, 2025, former Deputy Secretary of the Dong Nai Provincial Youth Union, Vo Van Trung, was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Thanh Son Commune, a remote locality facing significant socio-economic challenges. With the vitality of youth and the experience of a Youth Union officer, Vo Van Trung embodies enthusiasm, determination, and a strong sense of responsibility in serving the people of Thanh Son. “What can be done to improve people’s livelihoods and change the outlook of a disadvantaged commune such as Thanh Son?”. This is the question that weighed heavily on the young leader’s mind. From the very first days in office, Vo Van Trung focused on consolidating the local administration, guided by Uncle Ho’s principle of placing the people at the heart of every decision.

The Dong Nai Green Group carries out an environmental cleanup in Trang Dai Ward on the morning of September 7, 2025. Photo: K. Hue

“As a young cadre assigned to the grassroots, I see this as a meaningful opportunity to contribute my knowledge and abilities to the community and society. Winning the trust, understanding, and support of the people is never easy. I believe that, above all, a cadre must lead by example, matching words with actions, staying close to the people, listening to them, and sharing in their lives.” Only then can trust be built; from trust comes consensus, and from consensus the collective strength of the people can be harnessed to achieve local development goals,” Trung said.

Learning from Uncle Ho through the smallest deeds

As part of the movement to study and follow President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style, many organizations and individuals in Dong Nai Province have been promoting acts of kindness and meaningful contributions to the community. Instead of seeking grand gestures, they begin with simple, everyday actions that hold deep meaning, helping to nurture a cultured way of life and to create a cleaner, greener, and more livable environment.

As part of the Vietnam Green Community, the Dong Nai Green Group was established in June 2022 with just 20 members. Since then, it has expanded to include over 500 young people from communes and wards across the province. Once a week, the group joins forces wading through polluted canals, sweeping streets, and collecting waste in the hope of making every road and corner cleaner and to spread the message of environmental protection. On weekdays, they are students, workers, and teachers. But when the weekend comes, they set aside personal leisure to join hands in wading through the mud, clearing trash, and tackling environmental “black spots” in their communities.

Learning from President Ho Chi Minh - Dong Nai citizens embrace a life of values

Through modest yet meaningful acts, the people of Dong Nai are powerfully affirming that learning from President Ho Chi Minh is not something distant but begins right in everyday life, where each person can serve as an example to others.

Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Van Toi, former member of the Standing Committee of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and former Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai Province, noted that in today’s context, people high hopes and expectations for Party members to be exemplary in studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style. The Party members are expected to uphold integrity and civility within the Party, win public trust, and serve as role models for others. This requires, above all, that they conduct themselves as upright citizens law-abiding and grounded in Vietnamese ethical traditions. A true Party member must be self-disciplined (acting correctly without the need for prompting) pioneering (by taking on the most challenging tasks) and exemplary (in achieving results that earn trust and inspire others).

“As the nation advances into a new era, Party cadres and members despite having ever more modern tools of science and technology must still cultivate the ‘golden qualities’ shaped by President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style. At the heart of this lies the principle that the people are the foundation, respecting the people, learning from the people, serving the people; upholding the virtues of diligence, thrift, integrity, righteousness, and impartiality; and demonstrating loyalty and devotion through dedicated service to the people,” emphasized Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Van Toi.

Ksor Ngan, a volunteer with the Dong Nai Green Group, said: “I’ve been involved with the group for about a year and have joined every campaign. I believe this work is truly meaningful for young people, as it nurtures a positive spirit and motivates broader efforts to protect the environment.”

Nguyen Ngoc Anh, founder of the Vietnam Green Community, noted that the Dong Nai Green Group has carried out hundreds of campaigns, from cleaning streets to dredging rivers and streams, with some drawing thousands of participants. Volunteers put aside personal interests to dedicate their time to community service, showing that small deeds, when multiplied, can bring about great changes. In peacetime, young people may not carry arms like their forefathers, but they safeguard the nation in other ways by working together to keep the country clean, green, and vibrant. Through these actions, they embody President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings.

For President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style to truly take root and spread, Party committees at all levels together with agencies, units, and their leaders must embed the study and practice of his teachings into daily work, tying them closely to thematic activities and theoretical training. For Party members, the essence lies in leading by example, aligning words with deeds, embracing simplicity, working with responsibility, and serving with dedication. Only in this way can they cultivate public trust and build consensus. At the same time, it is essential to develop exemplary models of learning from President Ho Chi Minh, while enhancing the role of the media and leveraging digital platforms to inspire and mobilize people from all walks of life to follow his example.

As the nation moves into a new era of development, the people of Dong Nai are more conscious than ever of the essential importance of studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style. This is not only a moral compass for every cadre, Party member, and citizen to cultivate themselves, but also a source of unity, responsibility, creativity, and dedication. From this collective strength comes the momentum to build a Dong Nai that is ever more sustainable, cultured, modern, and prosperous.

Le Thi Thai, Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee

Day after day, people across communities dedicate their youthful energy to protecting the environment through small but meaningful deeds, quietly embodying the spirit of “studying and following Uncle Ho’s example.”

“Studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s example is at once simple and demanding. It is simple for those who clearly grasp its necessity and meaning, for his ideology, ethics, and style are deeply rooted in Vietnamese values and closely tied to everyday life. Learning from him does not mean mastering lofty theories, but drawing inspiration from his own exemplary conduct. Each individual can choose practical ways to apply his teachings, rather than follow them rigidly. The Dong Nai Green Group, for example, embodies this spirit in their daily work,” emphasized Associate Professor Huynh Van Toi, former Standing Committee member of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and former Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Dong Nai.

By Kim Hue, Hien Luong - Translated by Tam Binh, Thu Ha