On the morning of August 26 in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a national conference to review the program and emulation movement titled “The whole nation joins hands to eliminate makeshift and dilapidated houses.”

At the event, Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung noted that the campaign, initiated by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the National Emulation and Commendation Council at the end of 2023, aimed to eradicate substandard housing during the 2024–2025 period.

A Central Steering Committee was formed to promote community involvement, emphasizing the spirit of “contribute what you have” in pursuit of the noble goal of “a warm home for our people.”

After just over a year, Vietnam has achieved this target, eliminating 334,234 makeshift and rundown houses across the country. This milestone was reached 5 years and 4 months earlier than expected. Nearly 50 trillion VND (approximately 2 billion USD) was mobilized, along with 2.7 million volunteer workdays and participation from more than 454,000 people.

While these results are significant, Minister Dao Ngoc Dung emphasized that this is just the beginning. He urged continued efforts to identify remaining unregistered and newly arising substandard homes before December 2035, and to provide comprehensive support for citizens to achieve stable, secure lives.

"When the people need us, the police are there"

Also at the conference, Senior Lieutenant General Pham The Tung, Deputy Minister of Public Security, highlighted the guiding principle: “When the people need us, the police are there.” The Central Public Security Party Committee and the Ministry of Public Security have led by example, actively supporting the program.

Since 2019, the Ministry has raised funds and collaborated with local governments to build over 30,100 homes, as well as schools and clinics, with total funding exceeding 1.6 trillion VND (around 64 million USD).

Currently, the Ministry of Public Security is aggressively implementing housing support programs for people affected by natural disasters, and constructing schools in border communes as directed by the Politburo. They continue to assess the housing needs of disadvantaged families to ensure everyone has a safe and loving home - serving as a foundation for progress.

“The people’s police come from the people, serve the people, and rely on the people. The people are the source and strength behind our national security mission. All the actions of the police force aim to ensure a prosperous, peaceful, and happy life for the people,” said Senior Lieutenant General Pham The Tung.

A project of shared will and shared hearts

Reporting on key achievements, Ha Thi Nga, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, affirmed that the campaign is a uniquely significant national project - one born of “the will of the Party and the heart of the people.” It exemplifies compassion and the power of national unity in a new era.

The Vietnam Fatherland Front and its member organizations coordinated public outreach efforts and mobilized mass participation in the campaign.

Amid the historic spirit of August’s revolutionary season, this initiative has brought immense joy to hundreds of thousands of families across Vietnam. For them, the dream of a sturdy, modern home has come true - just in time for the national Independence Day celebration.

“This success will continue to inspire and lay the foundation for a brighter future for millions of citizens,” Ha Thi Nga remarked.

Building on these accomplishments, she affirmed that the Vietnam Fatherland Front will continue to serve as a central community connector, further advancing national unity and ensuring that patriotic emulation movements are carried out with the highest levels of effectiveness and impact.

PV