This is reflected in comprehensive policies and concrete, practical actions. As a result, the material and spiritual lives of policy beneficiary families have continuously improved, contributing to the widespread promotion of gratitude within the community.

In recent years, Điện Biên province’s efforts in caring for people with meritorious services have consistently received close attention, leadership, and direction from the central government, as well as proactive involvement from Party committees, authorities, and residents at all levels. Therefore, benefit policies for these individuals and their families have been implemented fully and thoughtfully.

Currently, the province is managing 16,832 profiles of people with meritorious services. Every month, functional agencies provide preferential allowances to over 1,000 individuals and their relatives, with a total monthly budget exceeding VND 3.5 billion. The payments follow Decree No.77/2024/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2024, ensuring timely policy updates. Particularly notable is the modernization of disbursement methods through 100% non-cash transactions directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, increasing both convenience and transparency.

In addition to regular allowances, other aspects such as lump-sum payments, health care, housing improvement, and medical insurance also receive significant attention. To date, 100% of communes, wards, and towns have effectively implemented the gratitude movement, with 99.82% of policy households enjoying living standards equal to or higher than the local average.

Gratitude activities are conducted year-round, with heightened focus in July. Prominent initiatives include mobilizing donations to the "Gratitude Fund," building and renovating gratitude houses, giving savings books, assisting disadvantaged and lonely meritorious families with cleaning and harvesting, among others. Especially, visits and gift-giving on national holidays, Lunar New Year, and July 27 (War Invalids and Martyrs Day) have become cultural hallmarks, showing deep appreciation from today’s generation.

During these days, many delegations of provincial leaders have braved long and flood-damaged mountain roads to visit and encourage policy families in various localities, bringing warmth and gratitude to those who have made sacrifices. Each gift, each heartfelt word conveys sincere appreciation, deeply moving the recipients.

In Phiêng Muôn village, Mường Luân commune, when the provincial delegation visited, Mr. Lò Văn Khóa, a 25% war invalid, could not hide his beaming smile. Though it was just past 9a.m., he insisted on having the delegation stay for a meal with his family. Mr. Khóa shared: “I’m truly touched! The Party and State have never forgotten us old soldiers. Despite my old age and frailty, the visit and encouragement from the leaders made me feel stronger, gave me new meaning in life. This affection is worth more than any material gift, it’s a great source of motivation for us to continue living happily, healthily, and to set an example for our children and grandchildren.”

Meanwhile, in the border commune of Nậm Kè, thanks to central government support and local counterpart funding, many meaningful activities have been implemented, especially the construction and repair of houses for policy families. A vivid example this July is the story of Mr. Hù Văn Sam’s family, a household with meritorious services in Nậm Kè village. His old, termite-infested stilt house has been dismantled and rebuilt into a spacious home on over 100 square meters of land with help from local authorities.

Mr. Sam emotionally shared: “Over the years, my family has benefited fully from Party and State policies. But due to financial difficulty and my frequent illnesses, I couldn’t repair our house. Now, thanks to local authorities and 30 youth union members in Nậm Kè and fellow villagers contributing labor, we’re about to have a new house. We’re deeply grateful and will feel more secure in working and improving our livelihood.”

Mr. Vũ Đức Thiệp, Vice Chairman of the Nậm Kè commune People’s Committee, said: “We consider housing support for meritorious people a key task, not only showing gratitude but also ensuring social welfare. In 2025, one household in our commune received VND 30 million for home repairs, and the project is now on schedule. Mobilizing resources from the central and local budgets as well as the community is the cornerstone for achieving this goal.”

Beyond government efforts, mass organizations also play an important role in caring for meritorious individuals. A prime example is the provincial Veterans of the Youth Volunteers Association, which has actively raised funds to support members in difficult situations. One such case is Mrs. Phạm Thị Thủy, a resident of the Residential Group 19, Điện Biên Phủ ward. After losing her husband early, she has had to singlehandedly support her family while living in a rundown house for many years. In response, the association mobilized VND 65 million in donations. With this amount, along with her savings and other support, she was able to build a 90-square-meter solid home with essential utilities.

Mrs. Thủy shared: “I’m deeply grateful for the care and support from the Veterans Association and local authorities. Thanks to them, I now have a safe home to rest in my old age. However, my life is still hard, my health is weak and I rely solely on a small pension. I truly hope to continue receiving assistance from various sectors to overcome these hardships.”

Caring for those with meritorious services is not only a policy or moral duty, but a deeply humanistic message embedded in Điện Biên’s path toward sustainable development. Concrete actions such as building gratitude houses, visiting, gifting, medical care, and improving living conditions are steadily turning the slogan “leave no one behind” into reality. This is not just a responsibility, it is a heartfelt expression of appreciation from the Party, government, and people toward those who have sacrificed for the nation’s independence and freedom. In the coming time, the province will continue to enhance programs for meritorious individuals and broaden gratitude activities through diverse forms, engaging the entire society. That is how we preserve and promote the core Vietnamese tradition of “remembering the source of the water we drink.”