Joining forces for Dong Nai’s development

Lam Thanh Tu, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of Nha Bich Commune and Secretary of the Commune Youth Union, said that through models such as youth supporting public services at the hamlet level and community digital technology teams, the commune Youth Union has proactively assisted the authorities at communes and hamlets, contributing to improving the operational effectiveness of the two-tier local government system. The youth have supported residents in signing up for advanced online Level 3 and 4 public services, creating electronic ID accounts, digital signatures and integrating driver’s licenses and health insurance cards into the VNeID app.

The Nha Bich Commune Youth Union, a member organization of the commune’s VFF, contributes to wider provincial efforts to reduce pressure on the one-stop-shop divisions and bring administrative services directly to elderly residents and households in remote areas. This support helps the two-tier local administration system run more smoothly and efficiently.  

Ensuring unified action

After six months of implementing the two-tier local administration model, the VFF Committees in 95 communes, wards, and the province held the first congresses at both commune and provincial levels for the 2025-2030 term. In addition, the member organizations of the Fatherland Front held their inaugural congresses for either the 2025-2030 or 2026-2031 terms as required. The congresses represent a major effort by the VFF and its member organizations to finalize personnel appointments and strengthen professional operations.

Hoang Cong Thuy, Vice Chairman of the VFF Central Committee (front row, sixth from left), and Ton Ngoc Hanh, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Council (front row, third from left), present flowers to the VFF delegation of Dong Nai Province ahead of their participation in the higher-level congress. Photo: Huy Anh

Dong Nai Province, home to nearly 4.5 million people, is multi-ethnic and multi-religious, with over 60 percent of residents practicing a religion and more than 421,000 belonging to 37 ethnic minority groups. Strengthening organizational structures is key to ensuring the two-tier local administration system functions smoothly under the principle of “unity from top to bottom, seamless across all levels.” The VFF plays a central role in building a shared community, fostering solidarity, and mobilizing residents to work together for the province’s development.

The VFF in Dong Nai Province now includes 1,770 grassroots working groups in villages, hamlets, and neighborhoods, 95 commune-level committees, and 34 member organizations. The committees bring together former VFF bodies and five political organizations - the Youth Union, Women’s Union, Farmers’ Association, Veterans’ Association, and Labor Federation - whose leaders serve as vice chairpersons at all levels. Membership represents all ethnic groups, religions, social classes, and strata, including Vietnamese living abroad. The arrangement emphasizes the VFF’s role in uniting people and building a cohesive community across Dong Nai Province.

Venerable Thich Hue Ninh, Abbot of Hien Lam Pagoda in Bien Hoa Ward, said he was elected to the ward-level VFF Committee for the 2025-2030 term by the Bien Hoa Ward VFF Congress. He described the position as both an honor and a responsibility, allowing him as a religious leader to help foster community unity in the locality.

Ha Anh Dung, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the VFF Committee of Dong Nai Province, said that the VFF at all levels has demonstrated dedication, innovation, and exceptional effort in fulfilling its duties, achieving broad results and leaving a strong impact across multiple areas through renewed approaches to public engagement. Major campaigns and emulation movements have been carried out effectively. Social supervision and feedback have made tangible progress, while social welfare initiatives have had a significant impact, highlighting the Front’s role as a bridge of care for the people. Activities of the VFF and its member organizations continue to strengthen coordination with government authorities through clear regulations, programs, and plans, following the principle of consultation, cooperation, and synchronized action. Efforts to improve people’s livelihoods are now a central focus, and social monitoring and feedback are implemented meaningfully, promoting democratic practice and empowering citizens to exercise their rights.

At the first VFF congress of the Dong Nai Province for the 2025-2030 term, Ton Ngoc Hanh, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Council, stated that the provincial VFF has, for the first time, been structured under a unified model. This model brings together political and social organizations along with mass associations assigned specific responsibilities. She noted that the change goes beyond organizational reform. It reflects a new approach to leadership and public engagement and reinforces the Front’s role as a center of unity - a shared home for all social classes, ethnic groups, religions, and citizens across the province.  

Proactive to translate resolutions into daily life 

Following their congresses, the VFF and its member organizations moved promptly to put the resolutions into practice. The effort underscores the Front’s role as a key political force, mobilizing national unity, self-reliance, innovation, and a spirit of contribution to advance a green, prosperous, and modern Dong Nai Province. This approach reflects one of the main themes of the first congress of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee for the 2025-2030 term: harnessing the strength of national solidarity.

Ha Anh Dung said the provincial VFF is pursuing three breakthrough measures. First, it is modernizing communication and public engagement to make patriotic campaigns and mass movements more accessible and relevant to citizens. Second, it is strengthening social oversight and public feedback to reinforce trust. Third, it is expanding the use of digital technology to collect citizens’ opinions and petitions efficiently and effectively.

Youth members of Dak O Commune assist residents with administrative procedures. Photo: Ngoc Huyen

The VFF has set out key priorities, including advancing digital transformation and strengthening genuine democracy, with the Front playing a central role. It is enhancing social oversight and public consultation through pilot initiatives such as expert monitoring teams and a “Listen to the People” month, ensuring citizens’ voices are heard. Efforts are focused on breakthrough initiatives, shifting campaigns from simply meeting standards to achieving higher quality and sustainability, aiming to build unified, prosperous, and thriving community neighborhoods.

The VFF has focused on streamlining and strengthening its organizational structure, boosting the effectiveness of the Front and its affiliated political and mass organizations. Leadership development emphasizes dedication, responsibility, discipline, and dynamism to meet the demands of the new era.

Nguyen Ngoc Tuyet Trinh, Vice Chairwoman of the VFF Committee in Dak O Commune and Secretary of the Commune Youth Union, highlighted that Dak O is a border community. Following the provincial merger, the Youth Union deployed volunteer teams to support the two-tier local administration model, helping residents access online public services and complete administrative procedures at the Commune Public Service Center. The Union monitors and administers policy credit funds, helping to build local capacity while supporting poverty reduction and improving social welfare in the commune.

By Ngoc Huyen, Van Truyen – Translated by Tam Binh, Thu Ha