Lê Việt Dũng

HÀ NỘI — An initiative to remove and replace dilapidated houses across Việt Nam — part of the National Target Programme on Sustainable Poverty Reduction — is on track to reach its goal this year.

By September 2023, approximately 3,800 impoverished families in Bắc Giang Province had received financial support to fix their houses or build new ones. Tuyên Quang and Yên Bái were not far behind, with about 3,500 families each getting assistance.

Cao Bằng Province is another shining example. The local government has provided funding to over 3,600 families for new houses or to repair houses as of May 2023.

The Lý Văn Nó family in Thượng Thôn Commune, Hà Quảng District, Cao Bằng Province, is a heartwarming example of how this initiative is changing lives.

Nó once found himself ensnared in the grip of 'Dương Văn Mình's Ideologies', an organisation disguising itself as a religious group.

Its founder, Dương Văn Mình, fabricated a story claiming that Jesus Christ had entered his body, using religion as a tool to gather followers and push for the establishment of a so-called autonomous 'Mông State' under his leadership.

The group encouraged its members to engage in civil disobedience by refusing to send children to school, rejecting poverty alleviation support, abstaining from voting, and disregarding legal regulations.

These actions were designed to pressure the Government and make demands, while falsely accusing authorities of religious oppression to solicit foreign funding.

Nó joined the group after being swayed by its leaders’ promises that "following them would lead to wealth without the need to work."

However, his family’s life only grew more impoverished and desperate, as they struggled to afford food and owned little of value.

With ten people (Nó's parents, Nó and his wife, and their six children) crammed into a tiny 40sq.m house, life was tough. The walls were just old boards propped up by bamboo poles and the leaky roof offered little protection from the harsh weather.

"It was awful during the rainy season," Nó recalled. "Water would pour in everywhere and it was always hot or cold with no proper insulation. But we were so poor, unable to afford to fix the house."

Nó's old house, built of old boards and bamboo poles poorly tied together. — VNS Photo Lê VIệt Dũng

Disillusioned by the harsh conditions and the group’s deceitful rhetoric, he eventually turned his back on 'Dương Văn Mình's Ideologies' and resolved to rebuild his life through hard work.

Local officials noticed their struggle. They stepped in, assessed the situation and provided financial aid for Nó to build a new house. They even helped him get some livestock to boost their income.

The difference is incredible. By 2023, the Nó family was celebrating their spacious new 100sq.m house. No leaks, no more extreme temperatures – just a comfortable place to live.

And their financial situation is looking up too. Their livestock has grown into four cows, a calf and two buffaloes.

"Only by trusting the Government and working hard can we achieve prosperity. The lies about getting rich without labour are just that — lies," Nó said.

Not far from the Nó family, the Sùng Văn Đình family also got assistance to build a new home, but that was not all. Local officials also connected Đình with some extra work to bring in more income on top of what he makes from farming.

"Now I can grow corn and raise ducks, but I also work in construction," Đình said. "Getting paid by the day makes a big difference for my wife, our four children and me."

With the initiative taking root, Thượng Thôn Commune has shed the shadow of 'Dương Văn Mình's Ideologies', emerging as a revitalised community.

In 2021, 25 new houses were built and four were repaired in the commune, with a total budget of VNĐ1.5 billion (US$59,000). The following year, 19 new houses were built and 22 were revamped. In 2023, the numbers were six new and 12 repaired.

A local police officer visits Nó's new house, which meets the 'Three -Strong' criteria (strong foundation, strong walls, and strong roof). — VNS Photo Lê Việt Dũng

This year, Thượng Thôn's authorities set an ambitious goal of building 50 new houses and fixing another 60. With 455 impoverished families and 86 close to poverty, replacing dilapidated houses with better ones is a top priority for the local government and its residents.

One challenge they face is getting building materials to remote areas, because the roads are not always ideal in Thượng Thôn, which makes transporting things like cement, sand and gravel difficult.

To overcome the hurdle, the local government is getting creative. It encouraged the community to pitch in and help move materials, making it easier for those in need to get the help they deserve. — VNS