Reigniting the patriotic emulation spirit in a new era of growth

Over the past 80 years of nation-building and defense, the Patriotic Emulation Movement has remained a unifying thread and a powerful source of strength, fostering national solidarity and the collective aspiration to rise.

Workers at Cu Thanh Co., Ltd. (An Phuoc commune, Dong Nai province) in a production emulation movement. Photo: archive

In Dong Nai, this movement has been spreading vigorously and deeply, tied closely to key political missions, creating momentum for sustainable development.

“To emulate is to love the country, to love the country is to emulate”

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs of Dong Nai province Doan Thi Thu Thuy, in recent years, numerous patriotic emulation movements have been actively implemented across the province, closely tied to socio-economic development as well as national defense and security tasks. Notably among them is the movement "Joining hands to eliminate makeshift and dilapidated houses."

As part of this effort, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai province, together with mass organizations, has launched the "Saturday for the community" model, mobilizing the participation of officials, Party members, youth union members, association members, businesses, and benefactors. Thanks to this initiative, thousands of solid homes have been built, providing sustainable shelter for people experiencing poverty.

In the movement "Outstanding farmers in production and business", the provincial Farmers' Association launched the model of production linkage along the value chain, applying high technology in agriculture, forming cooperatives for VietGAP vegetable farming, high-tech dairy farming, and high-quality durian cultivation. This endeavor has helped farmers increase income, build clean agricultural brands, and improve competitiveness.

In the era of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution, the entire emulation and commendation process will gradually be digitized, establishing a shared database to ensure objective and transparent evaluations while saving time and costs. Specific indicators and data will be used to assess the performance of individuals and collectives, addressing favoritism and formalism.

Through the movement "Skilled and creative labor", many businesses have launched the Innovation Initiative Teams, encouraging workers and engineers to improve techniques. A prime example is the Grassroots Trade Union of Chang Shin Vietnam Co., Ltd., which has produced hundreds of innovations, saving tens of billions of VND annually, contributing to productivity gains and better working conditions.

As for the movement "Joining forces to build advanced and model new-style rural areas," many localities have created "Flower - light - security roads" and "Green - clean - beautiful model residential areas." These efforts have not only transformed the appearance of Dong Nai's countryside but also affirmed the people's ownership spirit in the modern era.

These emulation movements have significantly contributed to making Dong Nai one of the leading provinces in the southern region in terms of industrial development, high-tech agriculture, infrastructure construction, and improving people's living standards.

Innovating emulation practices and expanding exemplary models

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Dong Nai province Nguyen Minh Quang, the department is accelerating digital transformation and innovation through dynamic emulation movements such as "Applying science and technology in production," "Promoting administrative reform and digital transformation," and "Developing high-quality human resources."

The outcomes of these movements have directly contributed to GRDP growth, economic restructuring, improvements in administrative reform indicators, and enhanced provincial readiness for IT application. The development of an innovative startup ecosystem and intellectual property protection has attracted investment and high-tech resources, contributing to sustainable development.

In the fields of healthcare and education-training, many individuals and collectives are actively participating in emulation to improve the quality of medical examination and treatment, innovate teaching and learning methods, and contribute to the cause of national construction and defense.

As one of the individuals awarded the title "Meritorious Physician" in 2024, specialist level II doctor Nguyen Thi Kim Loan, former acting Deputy Director of Thong Nhat General Hospital, shared: "I have devoted nearly my entire life to the health sector. I hope local people will have greater access to high-quality medical services and receive the best health care right at the grassroots level."

As of July 1, 2025, Dong Nai has begun reorganizing its administrative units and streamlining its organizational structure. This occasion marks an opportunity for the province's patriotic emulation movements to undergo significant renewal.

Deputy Director of DoHA Doan Thi Thu Thuy said: The province's emulation movements will be associated with the tasks of organizational stabilization, administrative procedure resolution, and ensuring the legitimate rights of citizens. Emulation content will be adjusted to suit reality, focusing on administrative reform, building a new workplace culture, and enhancing the effectiveness of the administrative apparatus. This undertaking will foster consensus and solidarity among officials, civil servants, and the people, ensuring smooth integration with the new administrative units.

To make Dong Nai's patriotic emulation movements increasingly practical and effective, the DoHA leadership emphasized: First, emulation content and methods must be renewed. Movements must be closely tied to socio-economic development goals, digital transformation, administrative reform, environmental protection, and social welfare. It is essential to focus on major and practical movements while avoiding dispersion and formality. In terms of commendation, priority will be given to frontline workers, those in remote and disadvantaged areas, and individuals whose quiet contributions carry a meaningful impact. Timely recognition will also be granted for outstanding actions and innovations with wide-reaching influence.

In addition, the role of leaders must be promoted. Leaders at all levels need to directly guide and monitor emulation movements, promptly identify new exemplary factors. Outstanding individuals and good models should be honored and widely shared in the press, media, and on social networks to encourage and create a positive effect within the community.

"2025 is the final year of implementing the 2021-2025 five-year socio-economic development plan and preparing for the 14th National Party Congress. Therefore, the Patriotic Emulation Movement holds special significance as an important solution to mobilize the power of great solidarity, ignite determination and creativity, and decisively move Dong Nai and the whole country forward on the path of innovation," Thuy emphasized.

By: Hanh Dung

Translated by: Minh Hanh - Minho