Inspiring Stories on the Journey Out of Poverty

On May 30, in the Southern region, the Central Emulation and Commendation Board organized an exchange program honoring exemplary individuals and collectives in the emulation movement “For the Poor - Leaving No One Behind”. The event was an opportunity to recognize individuals and organizations with creative approaches and effective models for sustainable poverty reduction.

Attendees included Mr. Phan Van Hung - Permanent Deputy Head of the Central Emulation and Commendation Board; Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Deputy Head of the Board and Head of the Program Organizing Committee...

Representatives of exemplary individuals and collectives shared their experiences at the program

Helping Each Other Overcome Poverty

During the program, many inspiring stories of overcoming hardship and rising to prosperity were shared, spreading a spirit of solidarity and aspiration among the poor.

VBSP Lam Dong Provincial Branch was one of the most outstanding units that support over 17,000 households with loans totaling nearly VND 27.8 trillion from 2021 to 2025, thereby creating jobs for 30,900 workers.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thu - Director of VBSP Lam Dong Provincial Branch shared that the loan policies under the “For the Poor” movement have become a lifeline for many poor households to overcome hardship. Farmers accessed preferential loans to boost production, students received financial aid to continue their education, and loan sharks were driven out of rural and remote areas. VBSP Lam Dong Provincial Branch ensures coordinated implementation of policy credit activities by sending staff to neighborhood meetings to explain preferential policies and guide people on fund management.

In Ninh Thuan, the value chain-linked aloe vera production project of Son Phat Cooperative, led by Mr. Thanh Lai Chu, has achieved remarkable results. Running from January 2023 to November 2024, with over VND 1.9 billion in investment and applying VietGAP standards and efficient irrigation systems, the model has provided sustainable livelihoods for 32 Raglai households (including 14 poor, 17 near-poor, and one recently out of poverty).

Mr. Chu shared that the local ethnic minority population had limited access to modern production models. Thus, once the cooperative stabilized, he and local authorities invited companies to survey the land and encouraged people to follow the model. Currently, each participating household earns an average profit of nearly VND 90 million/year. The project also helped diversify crops, created 300 local jobs and reduced the poverty rate.

Connecting Compassion

At the event, Mr. Tran Dinh Tai - Acting Deputy General Director of Hoa Sen Group shared about the “Vietnamese Family Shelter” program supporting orphans and underprivileged children, launched in October 2022.

The program has supported 402 orphaned students nationwide with scholarships, material and emotional aid. Hoa Sen Group contributed over VND 13 billion, with additional support from 269 artists and many philanthropists, totaling over VND 33 billion in donations. The initiative has reached 46 provinces and cities, helping children stay in school and pursue their dreams.

From the heartfelt efforts of farmers in Dinh Yen commune, the “Group for Building Compassion Houses No. 02” in An Binh hamlet, Dinh Yen commune, Lap Vo district, Dong Thap province has become a highlight in helping the poor secure stable housing.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tu - Representative of the group shared that since 1983 he and fellow farmers had volunteered to build roads and bridges, and by 1995 formed “Group No. 01” to build homes from wood for the poor. However, as these houses were not durable, by 2010 the group started building prefabricated and later brick and cement houses.

In 2016, “Group No. 02” was established. Throughout the years, group members sometimes had to cover their own food costs and even the food of the house owners.

“If the house owners can’t afford to support us, we support them instead. Helping less fortunate people get warm homes brings us joy. That’s our motivation”, Mr. Tu shared sincerely.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Deputy Head of the Central Emulation and Commendation Board delivered a speech

Speaking at the program, Deputy Head of the Central Emulation and Commendation Board Nguyen Anh Tuan affirmed that following the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 90/QD-TTg approving the National Target Program for Sustainable Poverty Reduction 2021–2025, and responding to the emulation movement “For the Poor - Leaving No One Behind” ministries, sectors, mass organizations, local authorities, enterprises, and the people have actively implemented and concretized the movement, treating it as a key, ongoing task.

The movement has yielded practical results, significantly improving the lives of people, especially in high-poverty areas. Many exemplary individuals, effective models and creative approaches have emerged, contributing to sustainable poverty reduction and living improvement.