Poverty alleviation initiatives across Vietnam are gaining momentum as organizations and local governments ramp up efforts to improve living conditions for low-income households. Programs are focusing on sustainable economic development, housing support, and educational opportunities aimed at lifting the most vulnerable populations out of poverty.
One notable initiative involves the State Capital Investment Corporation (Tổng Công ty Đầu tư và Kinh doanh vốn nhà nước SCIC), which has recently supported the construction of housing for the impoverished. For example, 65-year-old Bà Nguyễn Thị Lan from Sơn Kim 1, Hương Sơn, is among those benefiting from this initiative. Living alone with no family support, she found herself occupying a dilapidated home. Thanks to SCIC’s contribution of 50 million VND, her new home will have over 75 square meters of space. Further assistance from her family and local community is also being mobilized to complete the construction.
Meanwhile, Agribank Chi nhánh Hà Tĩnh II has made significant contributions to aid the underprivileged, especially as the Lunar New Year approaches. Their efforts included distributing gifts worth 1 billion VND to those who face special hardships, fostering greater joy and warmth during the Tết season. Recognizing the diverse needs within the community, various organizations have launched initiatives like “Chuyến xe 0 đồng,” which provided free transportation for 700 students and laborers returning home for the holiday.
The various local governments are not only focusing on immediate needs but also long-term sustainable solutions. For example, the province of Yên Bái has set impressive targets for reducing the percentage of poor households to 4.18% by 2025, focusing especially on the needs of ethnic minority groups, who are often the most affected by poverty.
Efforts also extend to enhancing the residents' livelihoods, as seen with programs targeting livestock support. A case in point is Bà Lê Thị Hiết from Bình Tiến, who received two breeding cows to help create sustainable income. Participation in training sessions before receiving livestock ensured she was equipped with necessary farming skills. "Xã cấp cho tôi 2 con bò để tạo sinh kế, rất phù hợp với điều kiện lao động của gia đình," she noted, echoing the impact these programs are having on her life.
Local governance approaches have evolved significantly, prioritizing the development of infrastructure and community-led projects aimed toward poverty alleviation. The UBND (People's Committee) of Hương Trà, for example, has been implementing welfare policies and successfully reduced the poverty rate to 1.07% by 2024, exceeding their set targets. “With our determined approach and active engagement, we are tackling poverty effectively,” stated Ông Đỗ Ngọc An, Vice Chairman of Hương Trà’s People’s Committee.
Not to be overlooked, significant investments are being made to provide broader access to basic services, including healthcare and education. The government is allocating funds to construct and furnish facilities, ensuring the needy have access to healthcare services. For 2024, the market for training services will be enhanced, enabling more individuals, like Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Linh, who opened her beauty salon after graduating from vocational training, to connect with sustainable income opportunities.
Facilitated by thoughtful governmental policies, there are plans to sustain these efforts through 2025 and beyond. The city of Hồ Chí Minh is aiming to have no impoverished households by then and is mobilizing extensive financial resources, with over 13.7 trillion VND directed toward achieves these targets. Bà Hoàng Thu Trang, Vice Chairwoman of Bắc Kạn, expressed the need for strong leadership and sound policies: “We must recognize the causes of poverty to effectively address them.”
The rich variety of initiatives across various provinces exemplifies the collaborative spirit of Vietnam's path toward poverty elimination. With the dedication shown by government entities and the resilience of local communities, many are hopeful about achieving the ambitious goals set for 2025. The stories of individuals like Bà Lan and Bà Hiết signify not just improvement of living situations but also the cultivation of hope and sustainability for future generations.
Each initiative contributes to laying down the foundational aspects of enhancing quality of life and transforming the economic scenarios of households once engulfed by poverty. Such focused efforts are not only addressing immediate concerns but are also paving the way for lasting change across Vietnam.