Creating sustainable livelihoods for residents of Loc Ninh Ward

In recent times, social policy credit programs have become a vital source of support for many households in Loc Ninh Ward, helping them overcome difficulties, expand production and business activities, and improve their quality of life.

Nguyen Thi Thu Ha (right) shares her experience in cultivating high-yield durian orchards with local officials and residents. Photo: An Nhon

From fruit orchards generating stable incomes to small retail businesses that continue to grow, preferential loans have contributed significantly to job creation, income improvement, and local socio-economic development.

Overcoming hardship with preferential capital

On a late May day in 2026, we accompanied officials from Ninh Thuan Quarter, Loc Ninh Ward, to visit the family of Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, one of the ward’s successful examples of effective use of social policy credit funds. Her newly built, spacious house, located deep inside a concrete alley, stands as a testament to years of hard work and the productive use of preferential loans.

Ha recalled that after getting married in 1994, she and her husband were given more than 6,000 square meters of land by their parents. However, due to a lack of investment capital, their farming efforts yielded limited results, and the family struggled financially for many years.

Recognizing their situation, local authorities and mass organizations helped the family access social policy credit. They initially borrowed VND 30 million and, after repaying the loan on time, became eligible for a larger loan of VND 50 million. With access to capital through multiple loan cycles, the family gradually expanded and improved both livestock and crop production. In particular, their durian orchard, now more than seven years old, has entered a period of high and stable productivity and has become the family’s primary source of income.

“Thanks to the effective implementation of support policies, residents’ living standards have steadily improved, the number of disadvantaged households has decreased year by year, and the locality no longer has any poor households. People now enjoy better access to healthcare, education, culture, and social welfare programs. This provides an important foundation for the ward’s continued development toward a civilized, modern, and sustainable future.”

Nguyen Thi Nghia, Deputy Secretary of the Loc Ninh Ward Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Loc Ninh Ward People’s Committee

“Life used to be extremely difficult. Thanks to preferential loans and support from local authorities, we gained the confidence and resources to develop our livelihood. The durian orchard helped stabilize our finances, build a house, and provide a good education for our children. We are deeply grateful for the attention and support of the departments, agencies, organizations, and local authorities,” Ha emotionally said.

At Loc Ninh Market, Le Thi Tuyet Nga has operated a store selling shoes, hats, backpacks, handbags, and children's toys for more than 20 years. In the early days, limited capital kept the business small and profits modest. Thanks to access to preferential loans, her family was able to purchase more goods, expand its business operations, and gradually increase its income.

"My family has been selling at the market for over 20 years. There were times when we faced many difficulties, but thanks to the loan support program, we overcame them, and our lives are becoming more stable," Nga confided.

According to Vu Van Hanh, Head of Ninh Thuan Quarter, the neighborhood is home to 287 households and more than 1,000 residents engaged in a variety of occupations, including farming, small business, rubber plantation work, and employment in local enterprises.

Over the years, cooperation between local authorities and social organizations has enabled many households to access loans from the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies to invest in family economic development. At the same time, technical training courses on cultivation and animal husbandry have helped residents improve their skills and knowledge. As a result, many households have successfully escaped poverty and achieved sustainable livelihoods.

“Today, Ninh Thuan Quarter no longer has any poor households. Many families have become financially secure and actively contribute to community activities,” Hanh noted.

Continuing to build on gains in a new stage of development

Since its transition from a commune to a ward, Loc Ninh’s economic structure has undergone positive changes, particularly with the growing share of trade and services, while agriculture has gradually declined.

According to Nguyen Duc Phong, Director of the Loc Ninh Transaction Office of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, since July 1, 2025, the bank has coordinated with local authorities and entrusted organizations to review loan applications and ensure capital reaches eligible beneficiaries. Social policy credit funds have supported more than 2,100 households, helping finance trading activities, farming operations, and small-scale economic models. Outstanding loans currently exceed VND 121 billion.

“We strictly implement inspection procedures before, during, and after lending to ensure that the capital is used effectively. Going forward, we will continue working with local authorities to identify suitable beneficiaries under changing conditions, while prioritizing financing for trade, services, and small businesses to promote urban economic development,” Phong said.

Nguyen Thi Nghia, Deputy Secretary of the Ward Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Loc Ninh Ward People’s Committee, emphasized that improving residents’ material and spiritual well-being remains a top priority for the ward. In recent years, Loc Ninh has cooperated with banks to effectively implement programs supporting employment, social housing, and other preferential loan schemes. The ward has also streamlined administrative procedures and improved public services to ensure that all eligible residents have access to credit opportunities.

In the coming years, local authorities will continue creating favorable conditions for production and business activities, facilitate access to technology and effective economic models, and invest in infrastructure, urban beautification, education, healthcare, environmental protection, and community cultural facilities. Ward leaders also encourage residents to embrace innovation, apply science and technology in production and business, support one another in economic development, promote civilized lifestyles, and work together to build a more prosperous, modern, and attractive Loc Ninh.

In practice, social policy credit has proven to be a powerful catalyst for helping households and small traders invest in sustainable livelihoods and improve their incomes. More than simply providing short-term relief, preferential loans have laid the groundwork for long-term development and demonstrated the effectiveness of social welfare policies that empower people to improve their lives through their own efforts.

By An Nhon – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho