Springtime Compassion in Dong Thap

(DTO) In the bustling atmosphere leading up to the 2026 Binh Ngo Lunar New Year, the People’s Committee, the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF), and various socio-political organizations at all levels in Dong Thap Province are actively mobilizing resources.

Together, they are organizing gift-giving events and supporting the construction of charity houses for the poor, the vulnerable, and disadvantaged policy-beneficiary families.

These meaningful activities help spread warmth and compassion, providing better conditions for disadvantaged families to celebrate a warmer and more fulfilling spring.

HEARTWARMING TET GIFTS

Over the past few days, sectors, branches, and numerous organizations and individuals have joined hands to care for the impoverished, the lonely elderly, people with disabilities, and children in difficult circumstances.

In recent days, authorities, agencies, organizations, and individuals throughout the province have joined hands to organize numerous Tet care activities for the poor, elderly people living alone, persons with disabilities, and disadvantaged children.

From essential goods, traditional sweets, rice, and cash to free rides home for workers, zero-cost market stalls, and heartfelt year-end union meals-all were delivered directly and promptly before the Lunar New Year.

The People’s Committee of Dao Thanh Ward, in coordination with the local Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, organized the “Zero-cost Tet Market” for Spring Binh Ngo 2026 to support disadvantaged households. At the event, 300 zero-cost shopping vouchers (each worth 700,000 VND) were distributed to poor and near-poor households, families with members affected by Agent Orange/dioxin, persons with disabilities, elderly people living alone, and other disadvantaged residents.

With these vouchers, residents could purchase essential items such as rice, soy sauce, fish sauce, cooking oil, banh tet, and instant noodles.

These gifts not only carried material value but also conveyed compassion and solidarity, helping poor and near-poor households and vulnerable groups feel the community’s genuine care and concern.

Though simple, the Tet gifts contributed to bringing the atmosphere of spring, easing hardships, and spreading the warmth of humanity to every disadvantaged family.

Ms. Dang Thi Kieu Phuong (Dao Thanh Ward) shared: “My family is in difficult circumstances. Our income mainly comes from selling lottery tickets, which is just enough for daily living. 

Thanks to the local authorities and benefactors organizing the Zero-cost Tet Market, I was able to attend and receive Tet gifts including rice, sweets, and cash. I am very happy and feel deeply touched by the care shown by the local authorities. These gifts help my family enjoy a more joyful Tet.”

Meanwhile, in Hong Ngu Ward, the ward-level Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee organized the distribution of Tet gifts to poor and near-poor households, disadvantaged families, and vulnerable groups in the area.

The gift-giving ceremony was warm and heartfelt. Over 570 gift packages were handed directly to near-poor households, policy beneficiary families, elderly people living alone, visually impaired persons, and orphaned children (each package worth 350,000 VND, including cash, rice, and essential goods).

Mr. Pham Hong Khoi (An Thanh neighborhood, Hong Ngu Ward) shared: “My family still faces many difficulties. Receiving Tet gifts makes me very happy. Thanks to the care of the local authorities and benefactors, my family can have a warmer and more complete Tet.”

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hồng Ngự Ward, said: “With the spirit of leaving no one behind, Tet care for the poor was implemented very early. 

Funding for the gifts was partly drawn from the ward’s ‘For the Poor’ Fund, while most resources were mobilized by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and socio-political organizations from organizations, individuals, agencies, and businesses both inside and outside the locality. In addition, this Tet season, the province allocated 275 Tet gift packages to support poor and near-poor households and those affected by Agent Orange/dioxin. 

Currently, the Tet care work for the poor in the ward has been basically completed. 

Through these activities, we hope to share difficulties and help disadvantaged people welcome a joyful spring with their families.”

Alongside local authorities, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees at all levels and socio-political organizations across the province have worked together to organize Tet gift support activities for the poor and disadvantaged.

Women’s Unions at all levels mobilized resources to prepare gifts and wrap banh tet for poor and near-poor households and those facing difficulties. 
They also organized Tet gift distributions for children from poor families and orphans under their sponsorship.

Trade Unions throughout the province actively implemented many practical Tet care programs for union members and workers.

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour presented 550 Tet gift packages to disadvantaged union members and workers, including 300 packages worth 2 million VND each, the remaining packages worth 1 million VND each, along with an additional 300,000 VND in cash per gift.

At Kim Hong and Nguyen Long boarding houses in the Mỹ Tho Industrial Park, the Provincial Labour Federation organized the “Year-End Trade Union Meal” program to celebrate the Party and welcome Spring Binh Ngo 2026.

In a warm and friendly atmosphere, leaders and workers gathered around a year-end meal rich with traditional Tet flavors.

Many workers expressed that the care from leaders and the Trade Union organization not only brought joy and warmth in the final days of the year but also served as great encouragement for them to continue striving in their work and remain committed to their enterprises and the Union.

The Provincial Labour Federation also presented 70 meaningful Tet gift packages to workers at boarding houses, helping them welcome the new spring with peace of mind and warmth.

Mr. Hoang Khac Tinh, Permanent Vice President of the Provincial Labour Federation, stated that this was a practical activity aimed at creating conditions for workers to gather and share joy after a year of hard work. 

Through the program, the Trade Union organization hopes to spread the spirit of solidarity and compassion so that even workers celebrating Tet far from home can still feel warmth, love, and reliable support from the organization.

Not only authorities and organizations but also businesses have paid attention to Tet care for the poor.

Ms. Dang Thi Ngoc Hien, Director of  Dong Thap Lottery One-Member Co., Ltd., said: “With the wish that everyone can enjoy a full and warm Tet, the company organizes a friendly year-end gathering for lottery ticket sellers. 
According to the plan, we will host a year-end party for more than 2,800 lottery ticket sellers and present Tet gifts worth about 250,000 VND each. The total budget for the Meeting and Appreciation Program for Lottery Ticket Sellers for Spring Binh Ngo 2026 exceeds 1.5 billion VND.”

SPRING ARRIVES UNDER HOMES OF COMPASSION

Beyond meaningful Tet gifts, many warm charity houses have been supported and built during this Tet holiday, helping poor families enjoy a happier and more joyful spring.

The Tam Tu Charity House Construction Team, in coordination with the People’s Committee of Hong Ngu Ward, supported the construction of a charity house for Mrs. Lam Thi Son (Tan Hoa Trung Neighborhood).

The new house has an area of 54 square meters and was built with a prefabricated structure: wooden plank flooring, and solid metal-sheet walls and roof. The total construction cost exceeded 150 million VND, fully funded by the Tam Tu Charity House Construction Team.

Sharing her joy about the new home, Mrs. Son emotionally said:“Having a new house before Tet makes me extremely happy. Without the support of the Tam Tu Team and the local authorities, I don’t know when my family would have had such a solid shelter from the rain and sun.”

The People’s Committee of Tan Thanh Commune, in coordination with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the commune, recently handed over a Great Solidarity House to Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Nhu (residing in Trung Hamlet), a poor household facing housing difficulties.

The house covers 98 square meters, featuring a thao lao wooden frame, plank walls, and a metal-sheet roof. The total construction cost was 150 million VND, of which companies and benefactors contributed 100 million VND, while the remaining amount was covered by the family.

On this occasion, the Party Committee, the People’s Committee, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the commune, mass organizations, and sponsors presented many practical gifts. In particular, Phung Nguyen Garment One-Member Co., Ltd. provided an additional 20 million VND to help the family complete and decorate the house.

Ms. Nhu shared: “Thanks to the support from the local authorities and benefactors, I now have a solid new house. This Tet, my family is very happy to celebrate the New Year in our new home. 

Although life still holds many difficulties ahead, having this new house has given my family greater motivation to work hard and stabilize our lives.”

The essential gifts presented and the compassionate houses supported not only carry material value but also reflect the care and encouragement of the authorities and the community toward disadvantaged households.

By M. XUYEN – D. UT – N. AN – L. OANH
Translated by  X.QUANG