After a while deeping in thought, he told us his family story in hard times. Nam and his wife previously suffered a shaky and unsettled life on the surface of Tri An lake, school attendance became more difficult for the children. Their family life is now getting more stable, the eldest daughter will attend for the university entrance exam next year. He was so glad and thankful for the introduction and support from Chị Hai. Close to the end of the visit, his eldest girl appeared to be impatient as if there was something to say. “You should keep hard in your study. I’ll help you find a job if you are in struggle for that”, Thanh, or Chị Hai, gently told her before leaving.

The above story is just a humble part, among other so-called solidarity houses, household appliance, clothes, new classrooms, bikes and scholarships which have been brought by Chị Hai and her union to the lives of disadvantaged people as well as ethnic minority communities. To her, taking care of others is indeed her happiness. Thanh’s whole life is pledged for devotion towards the people, ranging from domestic to foreign mass mobilization.

When reaching the retirement age, Thanh was assigned by the provincial Party’s Committee to be the Deputy Chairwoman and afterthat the Chairwoman of DUFO. In any position, Thanh is always enthusiastic and responsible. Such eagerness may be somehow understood since Thanh has many years taking the post as Secretary of the provincial Communist Youth Union, and then being Head of the Mass Mobilization Commission. It is therefore believed that she probably left her footprints all over 171 commines, wards and cities across the province. Taking close relations with the people, Thanh understands every hurdles borne by the communities living in outlying areas. These things earn her sympathy and remain as her toss and turn all the times about how to offer them, the poor, more joy and happiness.

In place of the DUFO Chairwoman, in addition to building friendship relations with other countries, Thanh is known as the one calling and mobilizing dozens of foreign non-governmental organizations for their participation into the province’s policy in terms of poverty reduction and hunger eradication. “Foreign non-governmental affairs were previously desultory. However, since the establishment of DUFO, such works have been closely managed and well implemented. At present, there are more and more non-governmental organizations planning their aid projects in Dong Nai,” Vice Chairman of Dong Nai People’s Committee Tran Van Vinh gave his remark on assessment of foreign non-governmental affairs during the past five years.

“Since assigned the new position, I asked myself to research and seek for reference documentation, to learn experience from other localities. By closely comply with the Party’s directions as well as guidance from the Central Union, thannks for the Executive Board of DUFO, we have prepared the annual framework of peole-to-people diplomacy to be approved by the provincial Party’s Committee and the People’s Committee. We help accelerate the foundation of new friendship associations, also improve mobilization capability of the Party’s organizations and people for the people-to-people diplomatic activities,” Chị Hai revised while sharing us about the first days DUFO was founded.

 Difficulties in its first days were gradually rolled back. From a vague status before, the people-to-people diplomatic activities are now receiving duly acknowledgment and appropriate attention from the province’s authority and Dong Nai people as well. To earn these outcomes, we must mention to a significant role of the union’s leader during nearly five years, Ms. Thanh. DUFO has striven hard to foster the works of mobilization, to launch training courses and to hold some ten people-to-people exchange events which attract thousands of participants every year.

Things earning impression from the diplomatic bodies and international organizations the most are that DUFO-host political activities have been well and professionally organized. “Whenever coming to Dong Nai, I’m so impressed with the province’s beauty and warm and friendly welcome of the people there,” U.S. Consulate General to Ho Chi Minh City Deputy Principal Officer Timothy Liston said at the founding congress of the provincial Vietnam-America Friendship Association. French Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City said he was delighted to understand much more about the land and people in Dong Nai, further praising that DUFO did organize its operation scientifically.

Luong Thanh Tung, official at the DUFO’s Division of Foreign Non-governmental affairs, shared that each official here must strive their best in their mission as the saying of Chairwoman Thanh “Trust is created from ourselves. Each staff must generate creativity, ask for brainstorming and professional manner”. Tung said he and others feel so pleased to have an exemplary leader with scientific and thoughtful working manners. Chairwoman Thanh has provided her support and training to officials here from even the smallest things, from working time, manner of speaking, arrangement, reception, service, etc and so whereupon they can gain maturity in work.

Applauding Chị Hai and DUFO, central union and southern region’s union made remarks that just within a short time being a shaky organization, Dong Nai Union has grown up with effectiveness in the right direction, marking its friendship link in people-to-people diplomatic activities. In which, Ms. Thanh really become an example of determination, scientifically organized works, deserving to be the leading person of DUFO’s people-to-people diplomatic activities.

Xuan Quy