Welcoming Tet in dream hourses

(ĐN)- Construction workers across Dong Nai are racing to complete gratitude and charity houses, ensuring that poor and policy families can move in and celebrate the Lunar New Year in their new houses.

In January 2025, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh from Bien Hoa city’s Tan Mai ward moved from a temporary shelter into a new permanent house that is built at a cost of VND 170 million, funded by Vedan VN, Chinh Nam Construction & Design JSC, etc.

“This is a dream come true. Now my family can reunite for Tet”, Anh said.  Over the past year, she lost both her husband and son-in-law. Making a living collecting scrap, she also cares for her bedridden sister. Her daughter, previously living in a rented room, is now returning home with her children due to financial strain. The new house offers them a chance to live together again.

The provincial Steering Committee for Eliminating Makeshift and Dilapidated Homes has called on departments and localities to promptly begin construction for 279 pre-approved families. Additional cases in need will be added and supported in a timely manner.

At the handover ceremony, local authorities also presented Mrs. Anh’s family with essential household items.

Meanwhile, in Tan Phu district’s Thanh Son commune, two ethnic minority families also received new red cross houses. According to Chairwoman Do Thi Phuoc Thien of the provincial Red Cross Association, both families face severe hardship, with members suffering from serious illnesses and lacking stable employment. Each house is built at a cost of  nearly VND160 million, funded by Binh Duong Customs Department, local authorities and the community.

These efforts have raised the number of families receiving new houses for Tet 2025 in Dong Nai to over 400, an increase of 100 families compared to last year.

In line with the national campaign, Dong Nai is determined to eliminate makeshift and dilapidated housing in 2025. The province has standardized the name “Great solidarity house” for all permanent homes built for the poor and disadvantaged.

Following the national steering committee’s establishment, Dong Nai and its districts also formed local task forces to oversee implementation.

Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, reported that 279 households in Dong Nai require housing assistance: 14 are families of revolutionary contributors or martyrs’ relatives, and 265 are poor or near-poor households. Support funding is VND 120 million for the former group and VND 80 million for the latter. Authorities are continuing to review and update the list to ensure no one is left behind.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Vo Tan Duc confirmed that funding is sourced from provincial budget savings, Fund for the Poor and other contributions. Departments and localities have been assigned clear responsibilities to ensure effective implementation. The Fatherland Front at all levels is also promoting public engagement and monitoring the process to ensure transparency and quality.

Tan Phu district has the highest number of homes to be replaced. Chairman Nguyen Huu Ky stated that 70 households are in need—10 are policy beneficiary families and 60 are poor or disadvantaged households. All 18 communes and towns in the district have established their own task forces and follow strict criteria in identifying eligible households.

Chairman Cao Van Quang of Dong Nai Fatherland Front Committee, highlighted the “3-in-place” approach: initial government support, contributions from families and relatives, and community mobilization by local authorities. This model often results in completed homes worth two to three times the original aid amount.

In addition, Dong Nai plans to expand its fundraising efforts for this program. With a high concentration of religious communities, NGOs, international associations, and foreign-invested enterprises, the province aims to engage these groups to support homebuilding alongside the Fatherland Front and local governments.

Reported by S.Thao

Reported by S.T