In recent years, the fight against poverty in rural Vietnam has seen remarkable success stories, driven by a combination of local initiatives, government policies, and the resilience of communities themselves. Two standout examples—Điền Lư commune in Thanh Hóa province and the entire province of Hưng Yên—have demonstrated just how impactful coordinated support and grassroots action can be in transforming lives and fostering hope for a better future.
In Điền Lư commune, the Women’s Union has emerged as a cornerstone of economic empowerment and poverty reduction. As reported by Báo Thanh Hóa on December 20, 2025, the Women’s Union in Điền Lư comprises 30 sub-unions with more than 3,000 members, predominantly from the Thai, Muong, and Kinh ethnic groups. Life in this mountainous region is not without its challenges, but the Union has made it its mission to help women lift themselves and their families out of poverty.
Between 2021 and 2025, over 2,000 poor women in Điền Lư received targeted assistance, with the total value of support reaching nearly 2 billion VND. Through these efforts, 45 families managed to escape poverty—a testament to the Union’s focused and sustained approach. The support has taken many forms: from technical training and access to credit, to the provision of livestock, seedlings, and even hands-on help during key agricultural seasons.
One telling example is that of Nguyễn Thị Hân from Điền Tiến village. With the backing of the Women’s Union and local authorities, she embarked on a challenging journey to transform barren land into a thriving orange and grapefruit orchard. The initial investment was daunting, requiring both significant labor and capital. Yet Hân’s determination paid off. Today, her family business provides regular employment for five workers and generates an annual income ranging from 300 to 500 million VND. More than that, Hân has shared her knowledge with other households, helping to spread prosperity and create a local brand for Điền Lư’s fruit produce.
The Union’s support extends beyond economic ventures. When member Cao Thị Lý, a disabled woman from Võ village, faced hardship following a traffic accident, the Union stepped in. They not only helped her secure social security benefits but also organized members to help with household chores and harvest time. Such acts of solidarity have fostered a sense of unity and mutual support among women in the commune, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Recognizing the critical role of access to capital, the Women’s Union has acted as a guarantor for loans from the Social Policy Bank and the Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. Currently, there are 12 credit groups with an outstanding balance exceeding 20 billion VND from the Social Policy Bank, and more than 9 billion VND from the agricultural bank, benefitting hundreds of women-led households. These funds have enabled women to invest in production, expand businesses, and weather unexpected crises.
Financial self-help has also taken root. More than 2,700 members participate in savings schemes—often as simple as collecting coins in plastic piggy banks—accumulating over 350 million VND. Every sub-union has its own activity fund, with the largest reaching 100 million VND, and the Executive Committee’s fund stands at 150 million VND. These resources are used to provide quick loans for members in need, buy nearly 400 piglets, distribute over 9,000 seedlings, and mobilize 257 workdays to help the poorest households, especially those headed by women.
Training and job creation are other pillars of the Union’s approach. Over 1,000 members have received technical training, 58 women have learned new trades, and 68 have been introduced to job opportunities. The Union’s plans for 2025–2030 are even more ambitious: helping 30 households escape poverty each year, equipping five women annually with specialized skills to start businesses, building a product chain model, and ensuring that 90% of members use electronic banking applications for payments.
Meanwhile, in Hưng Yên province, the scale of poverty reduction has been nothing short of extraordinary. According to Dân trí, the province slashed its poverty rate from 2.55% (10,368 households) in 2021 to just 0.44% (1,794 households) by the end of 2024. This achievement came two years ahead of schedule, meeting the goals set by the 19th Provincial Party Congress and local authorities’ resolutions.
The secret? A comprehensive strategy that leaves no one out. Every poor and near-poor household received support for health insurance, housing construction or repair, and access to clean, hygienic water. The province also made sure that 100% of laborers from poor, near-poor, and newly escaped poverty households who wanted vocational training received it, along with job counseling and employment connections. This focus on employability is seen as the foundation for sustainable self-reliance.
The results go beyond income. The proportion of households with hygienic toilets reached 86.72%, while malnutrition rates among children under five fell to 8.1% underweight and 16.2% stunted. Special mechanisms are in place for the most vulnerable: health insurance cards, social allowances for the disabled and elderly living alone, and even support for funeral expenses.
Coordination among government departments, regular monitoring, and a commitment to not let anyone slip back into poverty have made the difference. The province has also prioritized the development of economic models and cooperatives, empowering people to escape poverty through their own labor and ingenuity.
Both Điền Lư and Hưng Yên offer lessons in the power of community, targeted support, and the importance of dignity in the fight against poverty. Their stories are a reminder that even in the face of daunting challenges, collective action and a little ingenuity can turn the tide—one household, one woman, one village at a time.
