Toward greater happiness for the people

Born and raised in a land long known for its tea-growing tradition, Chairman Nguyen Huy Sang of Nhon Trach commune Farmers’ Association has always been preoccupied with preserving and restoring the brand of his hometown’s specialty product.

Chairman Nguyen Huy Sang of Nhon Trach commune Farmers’ Association introduces Phu Hoi Tea products at a supply-demand connectivity programme in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Nguyen Huy Sang, Nhon Trach commune was officially established on July 1, 2025, on the basis of merging the communes of Phu Hoi, Phu Thanh, Long Tan, Phuoc Thien and Hiep Phuoc township of the old Nhon Trach district. The former Phu Hoi commune, where he was born and grew up, was once widely known for its tea cultivation.

Doing what benefits the people

In his capacity as Chairman of the communal Farmers’ Association, Sang has established seven cooperative groups with 118 members and three professional sub-associations focusing on tea, pomelo and flowers, bringing together 65 members. These groups operate under clear regulations with specific task assignments, thereby creating a more professional production environment.

Moreover, Sang has guided local business households in building brand identities, designing labels, ensuring product traceability and registering trademarks. As a result, the Phu Hoi Tea brand has been granted exclusive protection for 10 years by the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam, counted from the filing date of February 22, 2019. The Phu Hoi branded tea products have also achieved three-star OCOP certification, including traditional tea, tea bags and ginger tea.

While strengthening and promoting the Phu Hoi Tea brand, Sang has encouraged members to combine production with experiential tourism in order to elevate the value of agricultural products. Through this model, local residents not only sell products but also promote cultural values, helping each household earn between 50-70 million VND per year. Consequently, many families have escaped poverty and legitimately improved their livelihoods.

Thanks to his dynamism, creativity and willingness to think and act boldly for the common good, Nguyen Huy Sang in 2025 became the only representative of Dong Nai province honoured as an outstanding example in studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality and style at the Ho Chi Minh – Aspiration Journey 2025 programme under the theme “Prosperous Vietnam.”

A representative of the Provincial Party Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation said that after the merger of the former provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc, the new Dong Nai Provincial Party Standing Committee has directed the continued implementation of two thematic programmes in 2025 on studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality and style. These focus on “Developing the economy in tandem with ensuring social security and improving people’s living standards” and “Promoting cultural values and spiritual strength while inspiring aspirations to build a rich, civilised and modern province.”

From learning to action, studying and following Uncle Ho in Dong Nai has permeated all fields, creating many notable achievements. In 2025, the provincial economy continued to grow, with GRDP reaching 9.63 percent. State budget revenue surpassed 100 trillion VND, while many key projects were completed.

Meanwhile, programmes supporting workers such as job placement, assistance for farmers to shift livelihoods and start-up and innovation support have been implemented in a coordinated manner. The province has paid particular attention to social security in line with the spirit of “doing everything that benefits the people.” Sustainable poverty reduction programmes, including providing breeding cows, granting health insurance cards, supporting housing, caring for policy beneficiaries, assisting vulnerable groups and building social housing for workers, have been carried out comprehensively. In addition, many schools and healthcare facilities have been newly built or upgraded, making education and medical services more accessible, especially in remote areas.

For greater happiness of the people

In 2025, the entire province reviewed 10 years of implementing Directive No. 05-CT/TW to assess achievements, identify shortcomings and propose solutions for the next phase. Through this review, numerous effective and creative grassroots models and practices closely connected with the people were recognised, with several models receiving commendations at the central level.

Notably, the “Compassion meal vouchers” model of Phu Rieng Kindergarten was honoured as a typical example in studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality and style in the southern region in 2025.

Originating from the reality that many parents facing financial hardship,, especially migrant workers with unstable jobs, since the 2019-2020 school year, Phu Rieng Kindergarten has implemented the “Compassion meal vouchers” model to ensure that no child has to miss school due to lack of a boarding meal. As a result, hundreds of children have been able to attend school regularly, with none dropping out because of meal shortages.

At the same commendation ceremony for advanced examples in the Southern region in 2025, Ka’ Tuyen, 33, a resident in Ta Lai commune, also impressed attendees with her dedication to the community.

As a young woman deeply concerned about preserving traditional crafts and creating jobs and income for villagers, thereby improving living standards and preventing young people from leaving their hometowns, Ka’ Tuyen has drawn on her 10 years of experience as a forest tour guide in Nam Cat Tien forest to implement the Ta Lai Eco Lodge community tourism development project, which officially began operations in 2024.

Thanks to good service quality and effective use of social media platforms for promotion and customer outreach, Ta Lai Eco Lodge has captured around 50 percent of the local tourism market and recorded steadily increasing revenue. Consequently, the livelihoods of ethnic minority women participating in craft village tourism activities have improved significantly.

By Phuong Hang – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha