Promoting the role of "old age - bright example"

Every day, To Thi Ot, Head of the Fatherland Front Working Committee, Quarter 1 in Bien Hoa Ward, Dong Nai Province, visits disadvantaged households to gather information and seek ways to offer support. She also visits families with adolescent children to remind parents to monitor their children's studies and daily activities closely. For issues that cannot be resolved immediately, she reports them to the Party cell and the head of the quarter, and consults with the ward-level Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee to find solutions. She then informs residents of the outcomes.

Nguyen Van Long, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Association of the Elderly, commends individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in implementing the Intergenerational self-help club model. Photo: Van Truyen

Ot’s daily work reflects the broader efforts of many other elderly people (EP) in Dong Nai Province who take part in building the grassroots political system and strengthening community connections.

A bridge between the people and the Party, the State

In Dong Nai Province, the majority of the 1,770 heads of Front committees in hamlets, villages, and residential quarters are elderly seniors. Most of the 582 respected figures in ethnic minority areas and village elders in the province are also elderly. Additionally, over 17,000 elderly citizens are involved in Party work, government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and various socio-political organizations at all levels. Each individual serves as a bridge for conveying the Party’s and State’s guidelines and policies to the people.

According to Nguyen Van Long, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Association of the Elderly, EP not only promotes their responsible role in families and residential communities but also plays a core role, contributing human and material resources to patriotic emulation movements.

Specifically, during the campaign to renovate internal roads in residential areas launched by Tan An Commune, Nguyen Ngoc Luyen, despite being over 80 years old, actively supported the effort by agreeing with his family to donate 150 square meters of land and tens of millions of dong to build the roads. Meanwhile, Nguyen Quang Ngoc, a resident of Tri An Commune, established and mobilized locals to join the Club to Support Elderly People in Overcoming Hardships. Through this initiative, he and the club’s steering committee mobilized community resources to provide capital for EP to run small businesses at home.

At the same time, seniors also actively participate in contributing ideas to build local socio-economic development plans. For example, at the Congress of Delegates of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Long Binh Ward for the 2025-2030 term, Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh, Head of the Fatherland Front Working Committee in Quarter 13, proposed that the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the ward promote its role in connecting and coordinating resources so that quarters with better conditions can contribute to helping disadvantaged quarters with urban renovation and assisting people experiencing poverty. This endeavor helps increase the connection between 37 quarters, contributing to the good development of infrastructure in all residential areas and the widespread implementation of social welfare activities.

Dong Nai province has over 314,000 EP, of which more than 277.700 are members of EP associations at all levels.

At the Congress of Delegates of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dak Lua Commune for the 2025–2030 term, Lo Van Hong, a respected figure among the ethnic minority communities in Dong Nai Province, stated that through the congress, he represented the community in the consultative process to select delegates for the Front organization. He also conveyed the aspirations of ethnic minority people to remain united and actively participate in patriotic emulation movements carried out in the locality.

Igniting enthusiasm

To continue encouraging EP to participate in building the political system at the grassroots level, the Document of the First Congress of Delegates of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee for the 2025-2030 term set out the goal: ensuring social welfare, protecting, caring for, and looking after EP; promoting the role of "old age - bright example," "living happily - living healthily - living usefully." Having appropriate policies to address the legitimate employment needs of EP. Promoting the wisdom, prestige, and experience of EP in families, communities, and society...

According to Nguyen Van Long, this reflects the province’s commitment to caring for and promoting the role of EP in the new era. To inspire enthusiasm among EP in contributing to grassroots political development, Party committees, local authorities, and the Fatherland Front first focus on creating favorable conditions and encouraging respected, experienced individuals who are trusted by the community to take on positions at the grassroots level. Furthermore, in implementing patriotic emulation movements and addressing issues that arise within residential areas, these bodies consistently show respect for, listen to, and consult with EP. This undertaking helps enhance their role and position, while also building credibility for elderly seniors involved in grassroots work.

Lo Van Hong, a reputable person among ethnic minorities in Dong Nai province, and delegates vote to approve the Resolution of the Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dak Lua commune for the 2025-2030 term. Photo: Van Truyen

In addition, to promptly encourage EP, the Provincial and Communal Elderly Associations hold annual gatherings to honor elderly individuals with outstanding achievements. Over the past five years, nearly 1,000 elder seniors across the province have been recognized for their exceptional contributions to grassroots political development. For especially distinguished individuals, Dong Nai Province has proposed that central-level agencies issue commendations promptly.

Specifically, in 2024, the Elderly Associations of Binh Phuoc Province and the former Elderly Association of Dong Nai Province had eight members awarded certificates of merit by the Vietnam Association of the Elderly (Central) for their outstanding achievements in the movement of EP participating in building the grassroots political system during the 2019–2024 period. Among them, Nong Thi Thuan, a resident of Dong Tam Commune, was honored for her active contributions in supporting her peers and encouraging young people to adopt digital technology in their daily lives. Earlier, in 2023, Thuan was also recognized by the (former) Ministry of Information and Communications as an elderly individual contributing to the advancement of national digital transformation.

Additionally, the province implements various policies to support elderly individuals involved in grassroots-level work. According to Lam Chon Nam, a respected figure among the ethnic minority community in Dinh Quan Commune, the State provides him with a monthly allowance of 800,000 VND and an annual health insurance card. This support helps cover his travel expenses and gives him and his family greater peace of mind regarding healthcare. More importantly, these policies demonstrate the State’s care for community workers like him.

By Van Truyen – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho