Under the leadership of local authorities, coordinated efforts with political and social organizations, the policy credit not only provides crucial financial resources but also serves as a catalyst to help the poor change their mindset, rise up to develop their economy, and stabilize their lives.

After more than 10 years of implementing Directive No.40-CT/TW on enhancing the Party’s leadership in social policy credit, the lives of people in Tuần Giáo have significantly improved. Despite the district’s limited local budget, the district People’s Committee continues to prioritize allocating funds to the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) to support lending to policy beneficiaries. The total amount of capital the district has entrusted to the VBSP in this phase exceeds VND 4 billion, along with central and provincial funding that helps people advance economically. Thanks to access to preferential loans, many households have boldly changed their production models and improved their living conditions.

For example, Lò Văn Hiến’s family in Giăng village, Quài Cang commune used to raise livestock freely, which was less efficient and prone to disease outbreaks. After receiving a VND 50-million loan from the VBSP, Hiến invested in livestock pens and switched to more controlled cattle farming. This policy credit has been like a financial partner supporting his family’s farming development. Hiến shared, “Currently, my family has 19 cattle. Since changing the farming model, the herd has grown well with fewer diseases, less care, and the cattle sell for higher prices. After deducting costs, my family earns nearly VND 100 million per year. Thanks to the preferential loans from the VBSP, I plan to pay off my previous debts and continue borrowing to expand fish and poultry farming."

Similarly, Lò Thị Duân from Hiệu village, Chiềng Sinh commune, started as a poor household. Thanks to the loans from the VBSP, she invested in raising buffaloes and pigs. By planting elephant grass around her house, she controlled feed, reduced disease, and improved the efficiency of her farming. Each year, her buffalo herd grows, and she sells three batches of pigs, earning over VND 100 million annually. “I hope to borrow more preferential loans from the VBSP this year to expand my buffalo breeding model. With the capital, I will focus on livestock farming and increase my family’s income,” she said.

Lò Văn Loan from Chăn village, Quài Nưa commune, once failed with a free-range goat farming model. However, after receiving a VND 50-million loan from the VBSP, he switched to caged goat farming. Now, he maintains a herd of over 120 goats, selling 3-4 batches per year, earning more than 100 million VND. Loan shared: “Goat farming has a fast turnover, and the feed is grown from elephant grass and banana trees, which is cost-effective and self-sustaining. Without financial support, my family wouldn’t have been able to invest in farming and developing the economy. Thanks to the local authorities and the VBSP for giving us the opportunity to improve our livelihood."

To make preferential loans more accessible to the public, the VBSP has set up 19 transaction points at the commune and town level. These transaction points act as the “extended arm” of the bank, bringing policy credit directly to the people. Lending, debt collection, interest collection, and savings deposit activities are carried out fully, transparently, and conveniently at these local points. Maintaining monthly transactions at the grassroots level not only helps people save time and travel expenses but also provides them with direct and effective access to policies. The policies are clearly posted, ensuring that people can access full information. Programs such as loans for the poor, near-poor, employment support, clean water and sanitation, housing, and post-prison rehabilitation are widely publicized.

Currently, Tuần Giáo district has more than 12,000 households with loans, spread across more than 300 savings and loan teams. To ensure the loans reach the right people and purposes, the VBSP has closely coordinated with local authorities and organizations to publicly implement lending programs.

According to data from the VBSP in Tuần Giáo, since 2014, total lending has reached over VND 1,180 billion, with over VND 885 billion allocated to the poor, near-poor, and recently escaping poverty. The total outstanding loans currently stand at more than VND 800 billion, reflecting the widespread impact of the program. During the same period, more than 29,000 poor and near-poor households accessed policy credit for production investments, over 1,200 households escaped from temporary housing, nearly 1,350 clean water and sanitation projects were built to standard, hundreds of underprivileged students received loans for education, and more than 600 workers found new jobs.

After more than 10 years of implementing Directive No.40-CT/TW, the social policy credit has reduced the poverty rate in Tuần Giáo by an average of 5.14% in the early stages, reaching over 8.73% by the end of 2023. The policy credit has truly integrated into life in Tuần Giáo, serving as a driving force for the poor and policy beneficiaries to rise in production and achieve sustainable poverty reduction. This affirms that policy credit is not only an economic tool but also a motivational force, awakening the will to rise among the people. With the joint efforts of local authorities, organizations, and the VBSP, new doors are opening for a prosperous future for local people in the district.