In late April 2025, the Thăng Bình Veterans Association (CCB) collaborated with the District Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee to hand over a new home, dubbed "Nghĩa tình đồng đội," to member Hồ Văn Long in Bình Hải commune. This initiative is part of a broader effort to assist disadvantaged families in the region, aiming to provide better living conditions for those in need.
Hồ Văn Long's new house, built on an area of over 40 square meters, includes a living room combined with a bedroom, a dining room, a kitchen, and a toilet. The total cost of the construction was approximately 100 million đồng, with significant contributions coming from various sources. The District Fund for the Poor supported 60 million đồng, while the CCB Association contributed an additional 10 million đồng. Moreover, members of the Bình Hải Commune CCB Association dedicated 30 working days to help with the foundation digging and house dismantling.
Triệu Phúc Cương, the Chairman of the Thăng Bình CCB, stated, "As soon as we received the financial support from the District Fund for the Poor, we handed it directly to member Hồ Văn Long to build a house and stabilize his life moving forward." This sentiment reflects the community's commitment to uplifting its members.
Simultaneously, another project, the "Ngôi nhà khăn quàng đỏ," was also completed and handed over to Lê Thị Phương Uyên, a student at Hoàng Hoa Thám Secondary School in Bình Lãnh commune. This initiative, carried out by the Thăng Bình District Union and the District Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, was part of a plan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day, which falls on April 30 each year.
According to Đoàn Thiện Ngọc Vũ, the Secretary of the Thăng Bình District Union, this year, the Front and mass organizations have been instrumental in assisting 29 disadvantaged households to escape poverty or near-poverty conditions. The efforts include support for the construction of the "Ngôi nhà khăn quàng đỏ" and the CCB's "Nghĩa tình đồng đội" project. Both houses were officially handed over and put into use by the end of April 2025.
In a related initiative, T.T.P., a resident of Liễu Thạnh village in Bình Nguyên commune, received support to repair her home after returning from serving a prison sentence at the end of 2024. This assistance was provided by the Bình Nguyên Commune Union, aiming to help her regain stability in her life. Đinh Phú Đạt, the Secretary of the Bình Nguyên Commune Union, mentioned that the Youth Volunteer Club for Social Security, established two years ago, is dedicated to assisting households affected by natural disasters and poverty.
These initiatives reflect a growing recognition of the need for community support in overcoming personal and economic hardships. As local organizations rally to help those in need, they are fostering a spirit of solidarity and resilience.
On another front, the issue of domestic violence remains a pressing concern in Vietnam. Recent developments following the enactment of the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control in 2022 have opened new avenues for support and protection for victims. "Having a place to return to is home, and having people to love is family," but unfortunately, not everyone is fortunate enough to keep their homes safe from the turmoil of domestic violence.
Trần Thị N., a resident of Thủ Đức City in Ho Chi Minh City, exemplifies the struggles many face. Once a victim of ongoing emotional abuse from her gambling-addicted husband, she sought help from a mediation group instead of escalating the situation. After three meetings, the mediator helped find common ground between the couple, and her husband was referred to a free psychological counseling program.
The 2022 law emphasizes the crucial role of grassroots mediation, which is close to the community, understands local issues, and can intervene promptly. Mediation groups not only leverage emotional support and ethical considerations but also legal knowledge to help parties navigate conflicts before they escalate into violence.
According to lawyer Nguyễn Hải Đăng from the State Legal Aid Center in Nghệ An province, victims of domestic violence are now entitled to free legal aid. Since early 2024, the center has assisted over 200 cases related to domestic violence, addressing issues ranging from divorce to child custody and property division.
Lawyer Lê Thị Thu Hằng, a member of the Hanoi Bar Association, shared her experience in providing free legal consultations to women across various districts. She noted that many women are unaware of their rights or are too scared to come forward due to fear of retaliation and lack of support. "When they receive legal advice and assistance with legal processes, they gain the courage to speak out," she said.
The Vietnam Women's Union has established three temporary shelters, known as Ngôi nhà Bình Yên, with two located in Hanoi and one in Can Tho. These shelters provide comprehensive support to victims, including accommodation, psychological counseling, and legal assistance. Additionally, the "Trạm dừng chân bình yên" model in Bình Dương has been praised for offering temporary housing, counseling, and medical care to victims while their cases are being resolved.
Despite these positive strides, challenges remain in the effective support of domestic violence victims. Many localities lack the necessary resources, personnel, and funding to sustain safety models. Furthermore, some victims are still unaware of available support channels or hesitate to seek help due to stigma.
Trần Thị Quỳnh Mai, a sociologist, emphasizes the need for enhanced communication regarding rights and support services. She advocates for the establishment of networks of mediators, lawyers, and psychologists at the commune level, as well as financial and livelihood support policies for victims after they leave violent environments.
To truly protect victims and ensure safe homes, it is essential to widely disseminate legal knowledge and ensure the quality and accessibility of support services. The journey to healing cannot be undertaken alone; it requires community action, awareness, and a collective stand against violence, paving the way for happier families.
