Thuan Loi Commune proudly advances from “Phu Rieng Do” revolutionary cradle

"Phu Rieng Do" is a place that has entered history as a symbol of the Vietnamese working class's resilient fighting spirit in the early 20th century. Here, in February 1930, rubber plantation workers, under the leadership of the Indochinese Communist Party cell, went on strike and rose up to take control of the plantation, marking an important milestone in the revolutionary movement. Since then, the spirit of Phu Rieng Do has powerfully spread throughout rubber plantations, revolutionary uprisings, and across both resistance wars against French colonialists and American imperialists until the day the country achieved complete liberation.

The national historical site of "Phu Rieng Do" is a source of pride for the Party Committee, authorities, and people of Thuan Loi Commune. Photo: Thanh Lam

Today, this revolutionary land is undergoing a remarkable transformation, becoming a bright spot in socio-economic development and in efforts to care for workers and the local population, true to the spirit of the original “Phu Rieng Do”.

The heroic spirit of “Phu Rieng Do”

At “Phu Rieng Do”, more than 95 years ago, on the night of October 28 and the early dawn of October 29, 1929, at a forested area near Suoi Da, Village 3 of Thuan Loi Plantation (now Thuan Phu Production Team under Dong Phu Rubber Joint Stock Company, Dong Nai Province), a significant political event of historic importance for the Party and the Vietnamese rubber workers' movement took place: the establishment of the Indochinese Communist Party cell. This was the first communist cell formed in the Southeast region and one of the earliest cradles of the revolutionary struggle movement.

From its earliest days, the cell led the workers' movement in rising against harsh colonial exploitation, igniting the flame of class liberation across the rubber plantations. It also instilled a revolutionary spirit among people of all social backgrounds, guiding them from spontaneous to conscious resistance, achieving victory after victory. Its pinnacle came on February 3, 1930, coinciding with the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, when five thousand workers at Phu Rieng rubber plantation launched a general strike that shook the "earthly hell" of the colonial-feudal regime and its collaborators. From Phu Rieng Do, rubber workers rose beneath the glorious flag of the Party to write a magnificent chronicle with their sweat, tears, blood, and lives, thereby shaping the heroic character of the Vietnamese rubber-working class.

Though years have passed, “Phu Rieng Do” remains a profound source of strength and a firm spiritual foundation for today’s generations of rubber workers, who continue to build upon it, achieving new milestones and realising the aspiration for a stronger rubber industry and improved living standards for workers.

The Thuan Phu Production Team currently has over 300 workers, mainly local residents. Embodying the “Phu Rieng Do” spirit, the unit has for many years exceeded its assigned production targets and consistently led the company and the industry in emulation movements, thereby improving workers’ livelihoods and incomes.

“Promoting the heroic ‘Phu Rieng Do’ spirit, both the company and the unit frequently launch emulation campaigns, especially skills competitions and productivity-boosting movements. These initiatives have brought highly positive results, improving workers’ incomes. Besides implementing policies as prescribed, the company annually considers building or repairing houses for workers and constructing collective accommodation for ethnic minority workers to ensure stable living conditions, peace of mind at work, and long-term dedication,” said Dang Viet Hung, Chairman of the Trade Union of the Thuan Phu Production Team, Dong Phu Rubber Joint Stock Company.

Upholding the “Phu Rieng Do” spirit in Thuan Loi homeland

The Phu Rieng Do relic site today is located in Thuan Phu 2 Hamlet, Thuan Loi Commune, Dong Nai Province. For local people, the site is not only a part of history but also a sacred symbol deeply connected to their spiritual life, pride, and motivation for development in all aspects.

Thuan Phu 2 Hamlet is home to 455 households, 2,050 residents and 60 Party members. The “flame of Phu Rieng Do” is continually preserved and upheld by local officials, Party members and residents, making the hamlet a model residential area.

Cao Xuan Lung, a resident of Thuan Phu 2 Hamlet, shared: "People here are now truly delighted. The village roads and alleys are clean; in the past, the red soil was muddy and difficult to walk on, but everything has improved remarkably. We are proud to live in a historical site, so we must strive to build new-style rural areas, keep our village roads clean and beautiful, and contribute to repairing infrastructure so that our homeland is worthy of the 'Phu Rieng Do' tradition."

Workers of Thuan Phu Production Team, Dong Phu Rubber Joint Stock Company, during latex transfer and collection. Photo: Thanh Lam

Nguyen Tam Lanh, Secretary of the Hamlet Thuan Phu 2 Party Cell, said: “We are very proud that this place symbolises the workers’ and people’s struggle movement. As Party Cell Secretary, I always encourage people to uphold this spirit to educate the younger generation. I believe that with support from higher authorities and the unity of local people, this heritage area will continue to develop in all aspects.”

Building on and promoting the heroic "Phu Rieng Do" spirit, the commune authorities have, in recent years, translated this legacy into concrete and practical actions. In improving the well-being of local residents, the commune has focused on fully and promptly implementing social welfare policies, supporting poor households, policy beneficiary families, and people with meritorious service. Efforts to build new-style rural areas have been strengthened, with particular attention given to improving public infrastructure and enhancing the community's spiritual and cultural life. In socio-economic development, Thuan Loi encourages the restructuring of crops and livestock towards sustainability and the application of science and technology to increase productivity. The commune supports the development of cooperative economic models, household-based businesses, and production linkages associated with product consumption. It also helps create favourable conditions to attract investment, develop small-scale industry, services, and trade, thereby generating employment for local workers. Administrative reform is being intensified to improve service quality for residents and businesses alike.

Nguyen Ngoc Cuong, Vice Chairman of Thuan Loi Commune People’s Committee, Dong Nai Province

Today, Thuan Loi has taken on a new appearance: infrastructure is being developed in a coordinated manner, with over 96% of rural roads asphalted or concreted; schools, health stations, and parks are being upgraded to meet learning, healthcare, and recreational needs. All households have access to the national power grid, and nearly all residents are covered by health insurance. Living standards and incomes have steadily improved. During the 2020–2025 term, the commune's per capita income reached 68 million VND per year. Poverty reduction has advanced rapidly, with only 3 poor households remaining; the commune aims to eliminate poverty entirely by 2025.

Numerous factories and enterprises have been established, creating jobs for residents; many public facilities and residential zones with modern features are emerging, opening up new development prospects. In the future, Thuan Loi is oriented to develop eco-tourism linked with the preservation and promotion of historical and cultural heritage, especially the national historical site of “Phu Rieng Do”.

From the heroic pages of the rubber workers’ history to the dynamic socio-economic development of today, the “Phu Rieng Do” spirit remains the pride for the people of this land. Upholding this spiritual value not only pays tribute to the past but also ignites aspirations for progress, building a prosperous and civilised Thuan Loi worthy of its heroic tradition.

By Le Thanh Lam – Translated by My Le, Thu Ha