Spreading spirit of “following the great Uncle Ho’s example in physical training” 

No longer just a mobilization-style campaign, the “All people follow the great Uncle Ho’s example in physical training” movement is gradually taking root in people’s daily lives across Dong Nai province.

Workers across the province participate in annual sports festival organized by the culture sector and the Provincial Federation of Labor. Photo: My Ny

From families to neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools, the spirit of “being healthy to study, work, build, and defend the Fatherland” is embodied through practical, energetic, and community-oriented forms of physical activity and models.

From movement to habit

One afternoon in the courtyard of the Hamlet 3 Cultural House in Phuoc Thai commune, lively music fills the air as dozens of residents - from children to the elderly - join in folk dance routines. This vibrant atmosphere has become familiar over the years.

Tran Thi Kim Thanh, Head of hamlet 3, shared, "In our hamlet, the Folk Dance Club meets almost daily. It doesn’t just attract the elderly to join in but has also spread among young people. Thanks to regular exercise, people here are more connected, cheerful, and optimistic."

Across Phuoc Thai commune, there are now 25 regularly operating sports and fitness clubs. With community resources mobilized, many sports facilities have been built, attracting nearly 50% of residents and 40% of households to participate in regular exercise.

In Trang Bom commune, the “All people follow the great Uncle Ho’s example in physical training” movement has also seen significant progress, with more than 45,900 people exercising regularly - over 46% of the population - engaging in regular physical activity, and 6,100 households recognized as “sporting families.” Schools maintain 100% implementation of formal physical education programs while gradually expanding extracurricular activities, helping to instill exercise habits in younger generations from an early age.

Beyond improving health, the grassroots sports movement in Trang Bom commune has also achieved notable results. Disciplines such as yoga, wushu, and taekwondo have earned numerous provincial-level medals, further inspiring community participation. Meanwhile, karate clubs and “joyful – healthy - honest” sports groups have been established, creating additional beneficial recreational spaces.

In Binh Long ward, the cultural and sports infrastructure system has been developed in a synchronized manner, with dozens of football fields, badminton courts, swimming pools, gyms, and children’s playgrounds. These facilities have become familiar “meeting points” for residents to exercise after work.

According to Bui Thi Thuy Cong, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Division of Binh Long ward, all 30 neighborhoods and hamlets now have cultural houses, along with 85 sports grounds of various types. However, to further deepen the movement, the locality continues to strengthen communication efforts and raise public awareness about the role of physical training and sports. At the same time, it also focuses on land-use planning and mobilizing both budgetary and social resources to expand and improve the system of facilities serving community activities and sports training for residents.

In 2000, only 13% of the province’s population and 7.9% of households engaged in regular physical exercise. By 2025, these figures had risen to 41.2% and 28%, respectively.

Nurturing a healthier community

Nguyen Van Chien, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Trang Bom commune, said that the goal for 2026 is to have over 46% of residents exercising regularly and more than 36% of households recognized as “sports families." The commune aims to expand grassroots cultural–sports models linked to new-style rural development and civilized urban areas, building momentum for comprehensive and sustainable growth.

Pham Thi Thanh Hien, Deputy Head of the Sports Management Division under the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, noted, “During the 2020–2025 period, the mass physical training and sports movement in the province achieved many positive outcomes. The proportion of residents and families exercising regularly kept increasing, with over 300 sports competitions held annually, attracting large numbers of amateur athletes.”

Significantly, investment in outdoor exercise equipment and facilities across Dong Nai has created favorable conditions for people from all walks of life to access sports and improve their health. Socialization efforts continue to yield clear results, with many facilities - such as mini football fields, volleyball courts, and outdoor aerobic areas - established through community contributions.

From only a handful of small-scale facilities in the early 2000s, by 2025 the province had more than 2,000 sports clubs, teams, and groups. In addition, 7 provincial-level sports associations and federations have been established and are operating effectively, playing an important role in mobilizing public participation and promoting physical exercise and sports development.

By Cam Thanh – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha