Currently, the Điện Biên provincial Former Youth Volunteers’ Association counts 2,064 members active across local chapters. Over recent years, Association levels have adhered closely to the leadership of local party committees, authorities, and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Former Youth Volunteers’ Association - continuously innovating contents and operational methods to construct an increasingly firm organization that satisfies new-era requirements.

According to President of the provincial Former Youth Volunteers’ Association Trần Công Chính, the Association’s duty extends beyond caring for members’ livelihoods to reviving and developing the noble qualities of the Former Youth Volunteers force in the new era. Association levels regularly disseminate and mobilize cadres and members to strictly abide by Party guidelines and State policies and laws, while actively participating in patriotic emulation movements, new rural development, civilized urban building, and family economic expansion. Concurrently, the Association proactively coordinates with the Central Committee, provincial departments, sectors, and benefactors to mobilize resources for member care through production support, gratitude house construction, policy settlement, and assistance for underprivileged members.

Despite advanced age, many former youth volunteers enthusiastically engage in labor and boldly expand family economies, becoming prime examples of legitimate wealth creation. Tòng Văn Pản, a member from Noong Hẹt village, Thanh An commune, is one such model. On his family estate, a poultry farming area raising over 100 meat chickens is neatly arranged alongside a rice-milling facility serving local villagers and a grocery store. By flexibly combining livestock farming, milling services, and grocery trading, his family earns an annual income exceeding VND 100 million. Beyond caring for his family’s economy, he is ready to share production experience with fellow members and villagers, contributing to local economic growth.

Tòng Văn Pản shared: “In my youth, I volunteered to serve the country. Now that peace is restored, I continue to expand the economy. Only through labor can we achieve a stable life, raise our children and grandchildren to maturity, and contribute to building our homeland.”

From the movement to study and follow Hồ Chí Minh’s thought, morality, and style to constructing new rural areas, civilized urban spaces, cultural families, or maintaining grassroots-level security and order, the mark of former youth volunteers remains distinct. Many members actively participate in social work and residential mediation, mobilizing people to follow Party guidelines and State laws, continuing to exemplify exemplary roles in the community.

Alongside promoting member roles, caring for the material and spiritual lives of former youth volunteers is designated as a core task by the association’s branches at all levels. The “Comradeship Affection” movement over many years has served as a solid pillar for underprivileged members. To date, the province-wide Comradeship Affection Fund has raised over VND 1 billion, providing resources to support members during illness and adversity, organizing visits, and executing meaningful social welfare activities.

Nguyễn Thị Ngoan, a former youth volunteer living alone, spent years in a degraded single-story house, constantly worrying each rainy season over leaking roofs, cracked walls, and damp floors. The Provincial Former Youth Volunteers’ Association mobilized resources to provide VND 40 million in support to repair and upgrade her house. Moving from her dilapidated home, she now has a spacious, safe residence, providing peace of mind as she grows older and frail.

Beyond Ngoan, many other struggling members have received joint support from Association levels. The family of Lò Văn Son, a former youth volunteer in Mển village, Thanh Nưa commune, also received house repair support. From a mobilized funding source of VND 50 million, his family built a solid new house, creating conditions to stabilize their life and focus on economic development. These gratitude homes carry not only material value but also express deep appreciation for those who dedicated their youth to the country.

Alongside member care, the Association fulfills its role as historical witnesses by coordinating with functional agencies to review and verify records, settling policies for former youth volunteers and evaluating cases eligible for the “Glorious Youth Volunteer” Medal.

Though the war has receded, the traditional flame of the Former Youth Volunteers force continues to be preserved and passed on through simple daily deeds. Across Điện Biên, graying heads work tirelessly, sharing experience, engaging in social work, and contributing to the community with full responsibility and enthusiasm. They stand not only as witnesses of a heroic era but also as those continuing to write beautiful peacetime stories, contributing to making Điện Biên an increasingly prosperous, civilized, and developed homeland.