Lam Dong Upholds the Tradition of Gratitude Toward National Contributors

Honoring Those Who Served the Nation

Since the beginning of July, provincial leaders and local authorities have visited many policy beneficiary families throughout Lam Dong, from urban centers to remote areas and ethnic minority communities, ahead of War Invalids and Martyrs Day.

These visits have carried not only gifts but also heartfelt appreciation from the Party, State and people of Lam Dong to those who sacrificed their lives and health for the nation's independence and freedom.

During the visits, leaders of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee extended their warm regards, inquired about the health and living conditions of policy beneficiary families, and encouraged them to continue preserving revolutionary traditions while inspiring younger generations.

The spirit of gratitude has also spread throughout local communities, where youth unions, veterans' associations, women's unions, armed forces and civic organizations have joined hands to support national contributors through a variety of practical activities.

Provincial leaders reaffirmed that caring for people with meritorious service remains one of Lam Dong's important political responsibilities, reflecting both the province's moral values and its commitment to those who contributed to national liberation.

According to Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, support for national contributors is not limited to commemorative activities in July but is provided year-round through various social welfare programs.

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The Party committees, authorities and people of Lam Dong always regard caring for national contributors as both a responsibility and an enduring expression of gratitude through practical actions.

Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam, Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee

Alongside implementing all State preferential policies, Lam Dong is mobilizing social resources to renovate and build gratitude houses, provide healthcare services, create sustainable livelihoods and improve the material and spiritual well-being of policy beneficiary families.

Throughout July, local authorities have organized free medical examinations for war invalids and sick veterans, repaired houses, awarded scholarships to children of policy families, raised funds for the "Gratitude Fund," and visited Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and relatives of fallen soldiers.

Martyrs' cemeteries across the province have also been cleaned, renovated and decorated ahead of July 27, with thousands of youth volunteers, soldiers and local officials participating in cemetery maintenance, flower planting and candlelight tribute ceremonies.

In Cat Tien 3 Commune, home to many policy beneficiary families and residents who relocated under Vietnam's New Economic Zones program after national reunification, commemorative activities have been carried out in various meaningful forms. The commune currently has 277 policy beneficiaries.

According to Tran Quang Trung, Deputy Secretary of the Commune Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Cat Tien 3 Commune, caring for revolutionary contributors remains a regular responsibility of the local government. "The commune consistently ensures the full and timely implementation of policies for national contributors while promoting patriotic education so that the tradition of gratitude continues to be preserved and passed on to future generations.", he said.

Local officials noted that continuous support from government agencies and the wider community has become a significant source of encouragement, helping many policy beneficiary families overcome hardships and rebuild their lives after the losses caused by war.

Passing the Legacy to Younger Generations

The care and recognition shown by government authorities and the community throughout July have deeply touched many policy beneficiary families.

Nguyen Tien Be, a 79-year-old sick veteran from Bao Loc Ward 3 who has lost 61 percent of his working capacity, shared that numerous delegations visit his family every July.

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The most valuable gift is not its material worth, but the heartfelt concern shown by everyone. When provincial leaders, local officials and young volunteers come to visit, ask about our health and listen to our wartime stories, we know that the sacrifices of our comrades are still remembered by today's generation.

Sick veteran Nguyen Tien Be in Bao Loc Ward 3.

He added that nothing brings him greater happiness than seeing young people become increasingly interested in Vietnam's history.

"Many students ask why we went to war and what life was like during those years. They listen attentively to every story. I believe that if they truly understand the value of peace, that is the greatest tribute they can offer.", Be said.

Following the recent provincial administrative restructuring, Lam Dong is now home to approximately 58,000 people with meritorious service and policy beneficiaries, including:

• More than 22,000 martyrs;
• Around 8,000 war invalids and equivalent beneficiaries;
• Nearly 1,400 sick veterans;
• More than 2,600 Agent Orange victims who participated in the resistance, along with tens of thousands of family members of national contributors.

Across Vietnam, visits to martyrs' cemeteries during July have become a meaningful tradition, and Lam Dong continues to uphold this national custom of remembrance and gratitude.

In recent years, alongside fully implementing preferential policies, the province has placed increasing emphasis on revolutionary tradition education, particularly among younger generations.

Schools across Lam Dong organize educational programs, field trips to historical sites, martyrs' cemeteries and museums, helping students gain a deeper understanding of the nation's struggle for independence. According to educators, these firsthand experiences provide powerful lessons that go beyond classroom learning.

Meanwhile, the armed forces continue organizing "Returning to the Roots" activities, restoring memorial sites and supporting disadvantaged policy beneficiary families, strengthening military-civilian solidarity while fostering patriotism and civic responsibility among young people.

Today, Lam Dong's "Gratitude Movement" has become an enduring cultural value embraced by the entire community. More importantly, these efforts extend well beyond the annual commemorative activities in July, becoming a sustained commitment shared by the political system and society alike. They not only strengthen social welfare but also reinforce public trust, national solidarity and the humanitarian values that underpin the province's long-term development.

Although July will soon come to an end, the spirit of remembrance will continue through the everyday actions of government authorities, organizations and citizens in caring for national contributors and preserving Vietnam's revolutionary traditions.

Chinh Thanh