Across Vietnam, a wave of community-focused initiatives and congresses is reshaping local governance and social support, with a particular emphasis on reintegrating formerly incarcerated individuals and empowering women at the neighborhood level. Over the past week, major events in both Thanh Hoa Province and Ho Chi Minh City have spotlighted the country’s commitment to inclusion, sustainable development, and grassroots leadership.
On October 10, 2025, the People’s Committee of Quang Phu Ward in Thanh Hoa Province became the stage for a significant conference dedicated to legal education, job placement, and financial support for those serving criminal sentences in the community and for individuals seeking reintegration after incarceration. According to the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police, this event was the result of close coordination between the Provincial Police, the Department of Home Affairs, and the local People’s Committee, demonstrating a robust, multi-agency approach to social reintegration.
The conference drew a diverse crowd: representatives from provincial police departments, the Department of Home Affairs, the Thanh Hoa Employment Service Center, local authorities, companies eager to recruit new workers, and, most importantly, 217 individuals either currently serving community-based criminal sentences or working to regain their footing in society after release. The event was not just a formality—it marked a meaningful step in a broader, ongoing campaign to support some of the province’s most vulnerable citizens.
Since October 2023, Thanh Hoa’s Criminal Judgment Enforcement and Judicial Support Police Department has joined forces with the Employment Service Center, the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and local police to host dozens of so-called “Marketplace of Kindness” events. These forums have provided consultations, job introductions, and loan support for nearly 1,000 people affected by criminal sentences or reintegrating into the community, with over 200 finding stable employment thanks to these efforts. As the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police reported, such initiatives are not only about jobs—they’re about restoring dignity and offering a second chance.
Financial support has been a cornerstone of this reintegration push. Following the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 22/QD-TTg, issued on August 17, 2023, Thanh Hoa has emerged as a national leader in providing credit to those reentering society. Over two years, 727 individuals have secured loans from the social policy bank, totaling more than 67 billion VND. In just September 2025, 335 people received loans amounting to over 30 billion VND. At the conference, representatives from the social policy bank, the employment service center, and several recruiting companies discussed the practicalities of loan access, vocational training, and job placement. They even signed contracts for vocational training, employment, and loans for 10 workers on the spot—a tangible sign of progress.
But the support doesn’t stop at finances and job leads. On this occasion, Quang Phu Ward also launched the “Joining Hands to Help Persons Reintegration into the Community” model, forming a dedicated Steering Committee to oversee the initiative. The committee’s operational regulations were approved, and its members were assigned specific tasks, signaling a structured, accountable approach to social support.
Deputy Director Tran Thai Quang Hoang, representing the Provincial Police, praised the initiative’s practical and meaningful nature. He highlighted the importance of cooperation between police, the Department of Home Affairs, the social policy bank, local authorities, and businesses. As he put it, “The police force at all levels has actively advised local authorities to effectively implement reception, management, and education to help persons serving criminal sentences and reintegrating into the community receive vocational training, loans, and stable jobs to avoid social evils and contribute to security and order.”
Looking ahead, the message was clear: local authorities, police, agencies, organizations, and businesses must continue to focus on management, support, orientation, consultation, job introduction, and loan support—especially for those facing difficult circumstances. The goal is to help people overcome stigma and reintegrate smoothly, breaking down the barriers that too often keep them on the margins of society.
Meanwhile, in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of first-time ward-level congresses have been taking place, each focused on strengthening women’s roles in community development and governance. On October 11, 2025, the first Women’s Congress of Thu Duc Ward was held, drawing 119 official delegates. The day before, the Women’s Union of Thoi An Ward hosted its own inaugural congress for the 2025–2030 term, with 152 delegates in attendance. These gatherings are part of a citywide movement, as similar congresses have recently convened in Binh Hung Hoa, Hoa Hung, Tan Thoi Hiep, and other wards, each bringing together dozens to over a hundred official delegates.
These events are more than ceremonial—they’re a platform for real policy discussions and community engagement. The Fatherland Front Committee and political-social organizations of Khanh Hoi Ward, for example, successfully organized their own first congress, aligning local priorities with broader city development strategies. Women in Binh Khanh Ward have been particularly active, championing environmental protection and promoting community participation in recycling and sustainable living. Their efforts are a testament to the growing influence of grassroots environmental activism in Vietnam’s urban centers.
The Women’s Union of Cho Lon Ward has focused on building solidarity and harnessing internal strength to drive economic and social development, defend the nation, and foster happy families. Party members have taken on leadership roles in neighborhood activities, expressing both pride and high expectations for the city’s future direction. Central tasks discussed at these congresses include improving health care, elderly welfare, and the overall quality of life for residents—issues that resonate far beyond any one ward or district.
In Binh Hung Hoa Ward, 139 official delegates gathered for their first Women’s Congress on October 7, 2025, while the Fatherland Front and political-social organizations of Tam Long Ward held their inaugural congress over two days, October 6 and 7. Hoa Hung Ward and Tan Thoi Hiep Ward have also joined the movement, each hosting their first Women’s Congress for the 2025–2030 term. The sheer number of events and participants underscores a groundswell of civic engagement and a renewed emphasis on community-led solutions.
Across both Thanh Hoa Province and Ho Chi Minh City, these recent initiatives reveal a society actively investing in its people—whether by offering a second chance to those returning from incarceration or by empowering women to lead at the grassroots. The blend of practical support, financial assistance, and community-driven leadership paints a picture of a nation determined to build a more inclusive, resilient future, one neighborhood at a time.