Mutual love and support is a long-standing tradition of Vietnam. In any circumstance, the Vietnamese people always uphold the traditional spirit of staying united and supporting one another to surmount difficulties and adversities. Continuing this fine tradition, in the face of the 1945 famine, President Ho Chi Minh initiated the "Rice jar to save the hungry” movement and took the lead in implementing this campaign by abstaining from one meal each week to save rice for those without food. His example of morality and affection for people has been and is being followed by residents across Hoa Binh province.

In Lac Thuy district, almost all locals know Tran Thi Oanh, who is not only an experienced herbalist but also an active participant in charitable activities.

Oanh said that as a physician with the aspiration for curing and saving people, she has long frequently given free examination, treatment, and medication to children, people aged 75 and over, as well as patients with disadvantages. Every year, she holds two trips to provide free examination and medication in neighbouring provinces such as Ha Nam and Ninh Binh. Since 2013, she has expanded charitable activities after witnessing severe storm and flood impacts in Lac Thuy district. She shared her intention to help less fortunate people with her family and received their support.

Initially using her family’s savings to fund activities, Oanh later gradually persuaded her friends and relatives to lend a hand to her efforts. In support of her humane path, many residents in her area and Chi Ne town have actively engaged in charitable activities. After five years of personal efforts, the herbalist became a prestigious person in charitable campaigns of Lac Thuy district and won support from the local community. She decided to establish the Lac Thuy Charity Club, which now gathers more than 10 members working dynamically.

Aside from trips to distant places, the club has also organised many meaningful activities to support residents in Lac Thuy and nearby districts in Hoa Binh province. Since 2020, it has raised about 1.5 billion VND (nearly 59,000 USD) each year for charitable activities. In recognition of her relentless efforts, Oanh was granted a certificate of merit by the Chairperson of the provincial People’s Committee for her remarkable achievements in studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, moral example, and style in the 2021 - 2030 period.

Oanh is among many bright examples of studying and following Uncle Ho’s spirit of mutual love and support in Hoa Binh.

In September, super Typhoon Yagi took a heavy toll on the northern region. Hoa Binh province recorded seven deaths, three people injured, and more than 2,300 households evacuated to ensure safety. Total losses amounted to over 1 trillion VND.

Facing that fact, a large number of organisations and individuals in Hoa Binh donated money and essential goods to residents in flood-hit areas. Among them, the "Hoa Binh Friends from afar” group, with support from many people and companies, mobilised 15 automobiles, including two trucks carrying over 20 tonnes of goods, to bring the essentials to flood victims in Yen Bai province. Meanwhile, the Women’s Union of Binh Thanh commune (Cao Phong district) made more than 1,000 chung cakes and prepared a large amount of essential goods to deliver to the needy in Yen Bai, Lao Cai, and Tuyen Quang provinces, among others. Many charities and philanthropists also held programmes to deliver aid to victims of natural disasters in Tan Minh, Tan Pheo, and Muong Chieng communes of Da Bac district.

After one month (from September 10 to October 10, 2024), the Relief Fund of Hoa Binh province received nearly 58 billion VND in donations, including more than 12 billion VND from collectives and individuals in the province and other localities, for settling the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi. Besides, another more than 2.3 billion VND was also donated via the Red Cross Societies at all levels.

Aside from the peak fundraising campaign to help with typhoon aftermath settlement, practical charitable activities are still taking place every day across the province, from schools, hospitals to residential areas and households, such as presenting financial aid, gifts, meals, essential goods, and books.

In 2024, over 24 billion VND has been spent on social and charitable activities in the province to assist 47,328 people. Particularly, 13,502 people registered to donate blood in Hoa Binh, contributing 11,791 blood units, equivalent to 124% of the set target. Meanwhile, 176 registered humanitarian donation of tissues and organs.

Such telling figures provide clear evidence of the solidarity as well as the spirit of mutual love and support among people of the province.