“Repaying debts of gratitude” – A sacred responsibility

General Phan Van Giang, Politburo Member, Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense, presents gifts to people with meritorious services and Team K72 of Dong Nai City.

The noble tradition of “When drinking water, remember its source” continues to be upheld and effectively implemented throughout the political system and society. Through practical and meaningful activities, the Party Committee, authorities, and people of Dong Nai City have consistently devoted attention to improving both the material and spiritual well-being of policy beneficiary families and people with meritorious services to the revolution.

Profound spirit of gratitude

Throughout the wars of national liberation and defense, tens of thousands of outstanding sons and daughters of Dong Nai, together with compatriots from across the country, sacrificed their blood, lives, and youth for the revolutionary cause. Although the war ended long ago, the physical and emotional scars borne by wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, and the relatives of martyrs remain. Recognizing the sacred value of today's peace, Dong Nai City has consistently identified the care for people with meritorious services as an important political task and “a command from the heart” of every official and citizen.

Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs Doan Thi Thu Thuy said Dong Nai currently manages more than 84,800 records related to people with meritorious services. Of these, more than 77,000 are records of revolutionary contributors and their relatives, while the remainder are records of beneficiaries receiving one-time allowances under the Prime Minister's decisions.

By mid-June 2026, Dong Nai had disbursed monthly allowances to 84,900 beneficiaries, with a total budget exceeding VND277.7 billion. One-time allowances were also provided to 130 beneficiaries, totaling more than VND2.4 billion.

“The rate of non-cash payment of allowances to revolutionary contributors has reached 96.92%. Disbursing allowances through bank accounts not only ensures that beneficiaries receive funds quickly, transparently, and safely, but also reflects the government's respect and professionalism in serving those who have contributed to the country,” said Doan Thi Thu Thuy.

Alongside efforts to effectively carry out preferential policies for revolutionary contributors, Dong Nai City is accelerating the 500-day-and-night campaign to search for, recover, and identify the remains of martyrs. The ceremony launching the search and recovery of martyrs' remains, under the direction of the Ministry of National Defense, was recently held in Minh Duc Commune with the determination to locate and bring home as many martyrs as possible.

According to Doan Thi Thu Thuy, as the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27, 1947–2026) approaches, the spirit of gratitude is spreading throughout the city, comprising the municipal and commune/ward levels. On July 13, the Department of Home Affairs issued a decision approving the list of revolutionary contributors eligible to receive gifts from the State President on the occasion of the anniversary. Accordingly, more than 21,600 people with meritorious services throughout the city receive gifts with a total budget exceeding VND6.5 billion. Among them, 350 beneficiaries receive gifts valued at VND600,000 each, while the remaining beneficiaries receive gifts valued at VND350,000 each.

The department also advised the city to continue effectively implementing Resolution No. 03/2025/NQ-HDND of the Dong Nai Provincial (now Dong Nai City) People's Council, dated July 24, 2025, regarding the care for people with meritorious services in the locality. Based on the resolution, the City People's Committee allocated local budget funding to visit and present gifts to nearly 25,000 revolutionary contributors and their relatives, with a total budget exceeding VND17.8 billion. Among them, 93 individuals, including living heroic Vietnamese mothers, heroes of the people's armed forces, and several severely wounded soldiers, received gifts valued at VND3 million each; 302 beneficiaries received gifts valued at VND1 million each; and the remaining beneficiaries received gifts valued at VND600,000 each.

All visits and gift presentations were completed before July 27. During a visit led by Deputy Secretary of the Dong Nai City Party Committee and Chairwoman of the City Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee Huynh Thi Hang to present gifts to Heroic Vietnamese Mother Tran Thi Mai, 90, residing in Loc Hung Commune, the care and gratitude shown by the entire political system and the people were clearly evident.

Heroic Vietnamese Mother Tran Thi Mai's husband, Nguyen Van Sam, and her son, Nguyen Thanh Nam, were both martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the resistance war against U.S. imperialists for national salvation. Speaking with the visiting delegation, Tran Thi Mai shared emotionally, “If I did not let my husband and son go to the front lines to fight, the country would be lost. But if I let them go, I would lose them. Yet if I had to choose again, I would still encourage my husband and son to go to the front lines because the two words “To quoc” (Fatherland) are so sacred and noble. If the Fatherland were not independent, neither I nor any of you today would be living in peace.”

Continuing to care for people with meritorious services

Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs Doan Thi Thu Thuy said it is the responsibility of today's generation to honor heroic martyrs and people with meritorious services to the revolution who contributed or even sacrificed for the survival of the nation, the independence of the Fatherland, and the peace and happiness of the people. The entire political system and the people must continue to express gratitude through practical actions and provide effective care for people with meritorious services to the revolution and their relatives.

Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairwoman of the City Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee Huynh Thi Hang (third from left) visits and presents gifts to Heroic Vietnamese Mother Bui Thi Nam in Loc Tan Commune.

To demonstrate care and responsibility toward people with meritorious services on the occasion of the July 27 anniversary, in addition to the activities already carried out across the political system and society, the Department of Home Affairs advised the establishment of six working delegations representing the City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee to visit, encourage, and present gifts to 34 people with meritorious services to the revolution and their relatives. Each gift is valued at VND3 million. The visits also enabled city leaders to directly understand the living conditions of people with meritorious services in the city.

At the age of 113, Heroic Vietnamese Mother Kha Thi Yen, residing in Tan Tien Commune, was deeply moved by the visit. She said, “You have come back to see me. I am so happy!”

The smiles and emotional tears of heroic Vietnamese mothers and veteran revolutionary cadres as city leaders warmly inquired about their health reflected the spirit of comradeship, the bond among fellow citizens, and the enduring tradition of gratitude.

The city is also intensifying efforts to improve housing conditions for policy beneficiary families and people with meritorious services facing housing difficulties, particularly those affected by the consequences of chemical toxins. To support this effort, the City People's Committee issued Plan No. 147/KH-UBND, dated July 8, 2026, on providing assistance to eliminate temporary and dilapidated housing for the biological children of revolutionaries exposed to toxic chemicals.

Previously, the City People's Committee approved 20 households eligible for housing support. Following a practical review, the city provides assistance to 17 of the 20 most disadvantaged households. Of these, three households receive VND100 million each to build new homes, while the remaining 14 households receive VND50 million each for home repairs. The total budget for this phase of the program is VND1 billion.

The care provided to revolutionary contributors and their relatives serves as a solid spiritual support for those who continue to bear the consequences of war. It also reflects the commitment of the entire political system and the people to ensuring the well-being of revolutionary contributors and their relatives.