Supporting reintegration and stable livelihoods for rehabilitated individuals

In recent years, the VBSP Dak Lak Provincial Branch has actively provided preferential credit to individuals who have completed their prison sentences. Local Party committees, authorities, functional agencies and families have worked closely to support and assist rehabilitated individuals, helping them rebuild confidence, create livelihood opportunities, stabilize their living conditions, and successfully reintegrate into the community.

VBSP Cu M’gar Transaction Office staff provide guidance to Mr. Tran Van Bang in Hamlet 2, Cu M’gar Commune on coffee care

A Humane Policy

On August 17, 2023, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 22/2023/QD-TTg on social policy credit for individuals who have completed their prison sentences. This credit program serves as an opportunity and a source of hope for rehabilitated individuals to pursue vocational training, develop production and business activities, stabilize their livelihoods, and rebuild their lives. It represents a profoundly humane policy of the Party and the State toward people who have made past mistakes.

Ms. Tran Thi Tham, Deputy Director of the VBSP Dak Lak Provincial Branch stated that, given the positive significance of the program, from the very early days of implementation, the branch proactively coordinated with the Provincial Police, entrusted mass organizations, and local Party committees and authorities to strengthen communication and dissemination of the policy among the public, particularly in remote and disadvantaged areas and ethnic minority communities. At the same time, the branch focused on reviewing and appraising loan applications of eligible rehabilitated individuals in the province in order to ensure timely disbursement once all conditions were met.

As of late November, 528 borrowers had accessed loans under the program, with a total outstanding amount of VND 41.1 billion (approximately USD 1.68 million).

The VBSP Dak Lak Provincial Branch has effectively delivered social policy credit to the right beneficiaries, for the right purposes, generating tangible socio-economic impacts. Many individuals who have completed prison sentences and returned to their localities have made effective use of the loans to invest in production, livestock farming, and service activities. As a result, they have gradually stabilized their livelihoods, increased income, and regained self-confidence.

“Policy credit not only helps improve living conditions but also serves as a lever enabling borrowers to overcome self-stigma and reintegrate into the community in a confident and sustainable manner,” Ms. Tran Thi Tham emphasized.

Rebuilding Lives

Over nearly two and a half years of implementation, the VBSP Dak Lak Provincial Branch has facilitated loan procedures and closely coordinated with entrusted mass organizations as well as local authorities to regularly monitor and guide borrowers in using loan capital for the intended purposes and with efficiency. Thanks to this approach, the majority of rehabilitated individuals have confidently developed economic activities, stabilized their lives, reintegrated into the community, and made positive contributions to local socio-economic development.

During our visit to Mr. Tran Van Bang, 35 years old, residing in Hamlet 2, Cu M’gar Commune, who had previously served a prison sentence for “illegal possession and use of narcotics,” we learned about his journey of reintegration. After his release, Mr. Bang returned to live with his parents. Initially, he was allocated 0.5 hectares of land for cultivation but lacked capital for production investment. At a critical moment, he was introduced by the local Savings and Credit Group to access a preferential loan of VND 90 million (approximately USD 3,670) from the VBSP Cu M’gar Transaction Office to invest in coffee cultivation and care, as well as pig farming.

Through diligence, determination to rebuild his life, and encouragement from his family, Mr. Bang has developed a healthy and productive coffee garden, expected to yield high output in the upcoming harvest season. “I will focus on production, rebuild my life and stay away from social evils”, Mr. Bang affirmed as we concluded our visit.

Leaving Cu M’gar Commune, we traveled to Ea Sup Commune to visit Mr. Dang Van Thuong, 39 years old, who had previously served a four-year and six-month prison sentence for “forest destruction.” Upon returning home, with encouragement and support from local authorities, commune police, mass organizations, and family members, Mr. Thuong resolved to start anew. With a preferential loan of VND 70 million (approximately USD 2,860) from the VBSP Ea Sup Transaction Office, he invested in caring for 2 hectares of mango orchards.

Thanks to sufficient capital, Mr. Thuong installed a smart irrigation system and applied proper farming techniques. This year, his family harvested 6 tons of mangoes, generating a profit of VND 25 million (approximately USD 1,020).

“Preferential policy credit has enabled my family to develop our economy and stabilize our lives. I will continue striving to move forward and live up to the trust and humane policies of the Party and the State for rehabilitated individuals,” Mr. Thuong shared.

Similarly, Mr. L.V.H., born in 1996 and residing in An Binh 1 Residential Group, Buon Ho Ward, faced significant challenges after completing his prison sentence due to unemployment and lack of production capital. Understanding his aspirations, the Buon Ho Ward Police proactively advised the Ward People’s Committee to coordinate with the VBSP Buon Ho Transaction Office to facilitate his access to preferential credit. In August 2025, Mr. H. was disbursed a loan of VND 100 million (approximately USD 4,080) to invest in caring for his family’s durian orchard. This year, he harvested 3 tons of durian, generating stable income for his household.

“The preferential loan has truly been a lifeline for my family. I sincerely thank the police, local authorities, and VBSP for caring and creating opportunities for people like me to rebuild our lives and become useful citizens for our families and society,” Mr. H. expressed.

According to Ms. Tran Thi Tham, in the coming period, the VBSP Dak Lak Provincial Branch will continue to widely promote the social policy credit program under Decision No. 22/2023/QD-TTg, coordinate with the Provincial Police to implement joint action programs, and work closely with mass organizations and local authorities to assess demand and ensure adequate funding for all eligible borrowers. The objective is to provide additional resources for job creation, household economic development, and sustainable community reintegration.