Spreading love to make the spring warmer

With a spirit of sharing and community responsibility, during the 2026 Lunar New Year (the Year of the Horse), agencies, units, businesses, charitable organizations, and many individuals across Dong Nai province are actively mobilizing resources and implementing numerous programs to provide Lunar New Year (Tet) care for policy beneficiaries, poor households, and people in difficult circumstances.

The joy of the family of Nguyen Thi Hang (second from left), residing in hamlet 7, Dak Lua commune, when they move into a spacious “House of Compassion” in the days leading up to Tet. Photo: An Nhon

These humanitarian gestures not only bring a more complete Tet to local residents but also spread a message of love, ensuring that no one is left behind.

From houses of compassion to gifts of affection

In the days leading up to Tet, the family of Nguyen Thi Hang (residing in hamlet 7, Dak Lua commune) is filled with joy as they move into a solid, spacious new home. The “House of Compassion”, valued at VND 120 million, was built with support from Dong Nai Lottery and General Services One Member Co., Ltd. in coordination with local units and authorities. Of the total amount, the company contributed VND 80 million, with the remainder provided by relatives.

Nguyen Ngoc Giang San, Head of the Van Su Tuy Duyen Charity Group (in Long Thanh commune), presents a gift to a local resident in difficult circumstances. Photo: Collaborator

“This Tet will be happier than those in the past”, Nguyen Thi Hang shared sincerely. Previously, the family’s thatched house had fallen into serious disrepair, but due to difficult circumstances, the dream of having a stable home had remained unfulfilled. “Thanks to the care and support from all levels of authorities and organizations, my family now has a solid house to live in and build our livelihood. This is the warmest and happiest spring for our family, and it gives us the motivation to keep striving in life”, Hang confided.

Nguyen Cong Duc, General Director of Dong Nai Lottery and General Services Co., Ltd., stated that in 2025, the company spent over VND 13 billion on activities including: contributing VND 3 billion to the “For the Poor” Fund; donating VND 500 million to the Education Promotion Fund; providing more than VND 100 million to the “Supporting students to go to school” Program; and funding the purchase of medical equipment for Dong Nai Traditional Medicine Hospital with over VND 9 billion, among other initiatives.

Not only businesses, but many charitable groups and individuals in the province are quietly contributing to bringing Tet to less fortunate lives. Nguyen Ngoc Giang San, Head of the Van Su Tuy Duyen Charity Group (in Long Thanh commune), said the group is coordinating with An Bao Tin Law Company Limited to develop a plan to mobilize approximately 1,000 Tet gift packages, each valued at VND 500,000, including essential goods and cash.

According to the plan of the Van Su Tuy Duyen Charity Group, about 600 gift packages will be distributed to residents in difficult circumstances in the mountainous communes of Cao Bang province, while around 400 packages will go to disadvantaged households in Dong Nai. On this occasion, the group is also fundraising to build toilet facilities for a school in the mountainous area of Bao Lam commune (Cao Bang province), with a budget of over VND 200 million.

Established and active for over 14 years, the Van Su Tuy Duyen Charity Group has carried out numerous humanitarian programs across the country, with a total budget exceeding VND 11.2 billion, earning recognition and commendations from the Prime Minister and the People’s Committee of Dong Nai province.

The motto of the “Compassionate Tet – Spring of the Year of the Horse 2026” program is to be practical, transparent, targeted, non-duplicative, safe, economical, and effective. The list of beneficiaries is carefully reviewed in line with the spirit “No one is left behind”, as directed by the Prime Minister.

Vuong Cam Nhung, Chief of Office of the Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross Society

Joining hands to care for the vulnerable

Nguyen Thi Mai Anh (from Phu Ly commune) has for many years consistently cared for 10–15 elderly people living alone in Phu Ly and Tri An communes. In the lead-up to the 2026 Lunar New Year, she spends time visiting, cleaning, and repairing their homes, while also using her savings to buy pork, sausages, banh chung, and other essential goods to help the elders celebrate a fuller Tet.

Not stopping there, Mai Anh also acts as a “bridge” to mobilize benefactors to support residents in difficult circumstances or with illnesses living in the forests and along the Tri An reservoir. “Life is still full of hardships for these people, so even though each gift may be small, it is very practical and brings them joy during Tet”, Mai Anh shared.

At the provincial level, the Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross Society is implementing the “Compassionate Tet – Spring of the Year of the Horse 2026” program. According to Vuong Cam Nhung, Chief of Office of the Provincial Red Cross Society, the province aims to mobilize and distribute over 42,000 Tet gift packages (each valued at a minimum of VND 500,000, including cash and in-kind items), with a total budget of at least VND 21.5 billion.

At the provincial level, around 10 Compassionate Tet programs will be organized, providing at least 5,000 gift packages (worth approximately VND 2.5 billion) to remote areas, ethnic minority communities, and disadvantaged localities such as Dak Lua, Ta Lai, La Nga, Xuan Dong, Phuoc Son, and Dinh Quan. At the commune level, the Red Cross Society will roll out the Compassionate Tet Week, a new initiative in 2026, aiming to distribute more than 37,700 gift packages, with a total value of about VND 19 billion, ensuring that 100% of the beneficiaries under the program receive Tet gifts.

By An Nhon – Translated by Dang Huyen, Thu Ha