When the soldier's spirit is carried on.
The war is long over, but for those who experienced the bombings, the spirit of overcoming adversity seems to have become ingrained in their very being. Returning to civilian life, they begin a new "front": engaging in economic activities , stabilizing their family lives, helping their comrades, and contributing to the rebuilding of their homeland.
In Dong Thap , the "Veterans Helping Each Other Reduce Poverty and Excel in Economic Activities" emulation movement is implemented in conjunction with the "Exemplary Veterans" movement, the sustainable poverty reduction program, the new rural development program, the development of the collective economy, and other patriotic emulation movements of the locality.
The wild boar farming model of a veteran association member in Long Phu Thuan commune (Dong Thap province)
It is noteworthy that, from supporting members to overcome immediate difficulties, the movement has increasingly shifted towards unleashing internal potential. Members are given opportunities to access capital, learn trades, receive technology transfer, transform production, and expand their businesses; those with the means are boldly investing and establishing enterprises, cooperatives, and collaborative groups.
From 113 grassroots associations, the movement has formed many models suitable to the conditions of each locality and each group of members. Some models are based on the advantages of agricultural production; some develop traditional crafts, businesses, and services; and some promote linkages, forming cooperatives and associations. The associations have become a bridge between members and Party committees, government agencies, functional departments, businesses, and the policy credit system.
Model of flour production linkage among war veteran association members in Tan Phu Trung commune.
By the end of May 2026, the total outstanding entrusted loans through the Social Policy Bank reached over 2,354 billion VND, an increase of over 1,650 billion VND compared to the beginning of the period; nearly 50,000 households received loans through 1,068 Savings and Loan Groups. The Solidarity Fund increased to over 23 billion VND, and the Compassion Fund to nearly 1 billion VND.
These resources are not just numbers on paper. They are the capital that allows a household to expand production, a member to invest in livestock farming, a business to develop, or a cooperative model to be formed.
Soldiers in the marketplace
The effectiveness of the movement is clearly reflected in the changes in the lives of its members. After 5 years, the number of poor veteran households decreased by nearly 89%, and the number of near-poor households decreased by over 90%; the entire province has more than 27,300 well-off or wealthy households, accounting for over 68%. According to the criteria of the Central Veterans Association, 100% of communes and wards basically no longer have poor veteran households.
Veterans Association members in Phong Hoa commune tending their longan orchards.
Notably, the movement has contributed to the formation of a growing force of veteran entrepreneurs. The province currently has 247 enterprises, 66 cooperatives, 184 cooperative groups, 12 farms, 179 family farms, and 1,337 business households owned by members, providing regular employment for over 12,000 workers.
If, on the battlefield of yesteryear, soldiers needed courage to overcome hardship, in today's business world, that courage is demonstrated through perseverance, integrity, and adaptability. In Sa Dec ward, the Veterans Association leverages the advantages of its flower-growing village, linking traditional crafts with economic development. In Chau Thanh commune, the Association focuses on unleashing internal strengths and mobilizing resources to support members in developing production. In My Phong ward, collaborative models are being built, creating greater community strength in economic development.
The ornamental flower cultivation model of the Veterans Association of Sa Dec ward contributes to improving the lives of its members.
It is also the story of veteran entrepreneur Vo Thanh Bong, who uses reputation as the foundation for business development and considers social responsibility as part of his values; or veteran businesswoman Nguyen Thi Anh, who strives to build a sustainable business, care for her employees, and partner with the community.
Each person has their own profession and way of doing things, but they all show one thing in common: the qualities of a soldier do not end when the war is over. They continue to be demonstrated in how they face difficulties, maintain integrity in business, and are willing to share their achievements with the community.
Doing business together to move forward.
Over the past five years, veteran association members throughout the province have donated more than 41,000 square meters of land and contributed over 5 billion VND to the construction of new rural areas; repaired more than 4,300 km of roads and 237 bridges, dredged over 913 km of canals, and planted 96,000 trees.
The widened roads and repaired bridges not only make travel more convenient but also open up more opportunities for trade and production for the people. The trees planted today are also a way for the soldiers of yesteryear to pass on a part of their responsibility to their homeland to future generations.
The province currently maintains 1,004 Veterans' Environmental Protection Clubs with nearly 25,000 participating households. From economic development to rural development and environmental protection, the movement has created a connection between family interests and community interests.
Over the past five years, 1,311 houses built or renovated as part of the "Comradeship House" program have been constructed and renovated, totaling over 66.7 billion VND. The association has distributed 55,792 gifts to members and people in difficult circumstances; continued to care for 17 Vietnamese Heroic Mothers; and implemented many activities to support policy beneficiary families, meritorious individuals, and vulnerable groups.
The value of the movement, therefore, lies not only in how many poor households have been reduced, how many businesses and cooperatives have been established, or how many projects have been built. More importantly, the movement has contributed to keeping alive the spirit of self-reliance, self-improvement, and camaraderie in today's life.
Source: https://cuuchienbinh.vn/tu-chien-truong-den-mat-tran-lam-kinh-te-d44970.html
