Women in the mountainous areas of Nghe An province help each other plant rice in the spring season to meet the planting schedule.

HelpProviding assistance to those in particularly difficult circumstances during planting and cultivation.

The spring rice crop plays a particularly important role, accounting for up to 65% of Nghe An province's annual food production. However, in remote and isolated communes with fragmented terrain and high poverty rates, ensuring timely planting is a major challenge, especially for single-parent or sick families. With a spirit of mutual support and compassion, the women's associations in these areas not only understand the circumstances of each household but also act as a bridge to help member households overcome difficulties and gradually escape poverty through practical assistance, both material and spiritual.

In Nga My commune, where over 300 hectares of rice paddies for the 2026 spring crop are being planted, the story of the mutual support spirit of the Women's Association in Pot village is spreading throughout the villages, highlighting the sharing spirit of women. Vi Thi Hai's family, which was previously well-off, has been plagued by misfortune over the past two to three years. Her son and parents-in-law passed away one after another, and she herself underwent gallstone surgery four times in one year. Recently, she was also assaulted and hospitalized. With nearly one hectare of newly reclaimed land deep in a ravine, Hai and her husband are almost exhausted and helpless in the face of the harvest season.

Understanding the situation, Ms. Luong Thi Ngoc, President of the Women's Association of Nga My commune, said that on January 26th, the Association mobilized 65 members to help Ms. Hai's family plant rice. In less than a day, nearly 1 hectare of rice in various locations belonging to Ms. Hai's family was planted and replanted. Similarly, in Dang village, Ms. Kha Thi Luong's family is classified as a poor household. Ms. Luong herself has cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy for many years, resulting in weakened health. Facing the risk of abandoning their fields, the village women's association rolled up their sleeves and helped the family plant 4 sao (approximately 0.4 hectares) of rice in just one morning, allowing Ms. Luong's husband and children to focus on caring for her.

The image of dozens of women lined up across a large rice field, their laughter and conversation dispelling fatigue, has become a beautiful symbol of community spirit and neighborly love. This movement has been maintained for many years by women's associations at all levels, as well as in villages and hamlets in Nga My, becoming a cherished tradition in the activities of women's associations and in the newly established Nga My villages (comprising Xieng My and Nga My communes of the former Tuong Duong district).

Ms. Luong Thi Ngoc added, "The association always proactively reviews vulnerable cases and those with sudden illnesses to provide timely support. Despite the large area and the high-pressure work, the women always strive to balance everything so that no one is left behind this spring."

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According to a report from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, approximately 30,000 hectares of spring rice have been planted in the province out of a planned area of ​​90,500 hectares (nearly 30%). During an inspection of spring rice production in localities on January 19, 2026, Mr. Nguyen Van De, Member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, requested that the Department of Agriculture and Environment closely monitor weather developments and guide people on measures to prevent and combat severe cold damage to seedlings and newly planted rice. Localities should focus on mobilizing machinery and manpower to accelerate planting according to the seasonal schedule; expand production linkage models associated with product consumption, and increase production value. In particular, irrigation units need to proactively develop plans for rational water regulation, ensuring both planting and irrigation for crops.

Spreading the spirit of compassion, providing support.for poor householdsescape poverty

Beyond simply assisting with rice planting, the women's mutual support movement at all levels connects and supports poor households to gradually escape poverty; and helps children from disadvantaged families overcome difficulties and pursue their education. In Chau Khe commune, Ms. Vi Thi Xuan, President of the Women's Association, said that given the area's high poverty rate (18.52%) and rugged terrain, especially in remote villages like Khe Na, Khe Bu, and Khe Nong, the Association has innovated its approach to gradually change the "waiting and relying" mindset of the people. This spring, in addition to focusing on helping disadvantaged households plant rice, the women also provided seedlings and livestock to promote labor and production in the villages. Most recently, the women joined hands to help Ms. Kha Thi Lien's household in Boong village plant more than 4 sao (approximately 0.4 hectares) of rice.

Mrs. Lien (born in 1974) is currently suffering from a lung disease and requires long-term treatment at the hospital. Her husband stays at home, managing the farm work while also taking care of her at the hospital. Her children are all grown up and have their own families, but they are all facing financial difficulties; one of her daughters, who works in the South, has had to quit her job to return home and help care for her. With the planting season approaching, Mrs. Lien's household is small, but thanks to the help of her sisters and family, she and her family were able to finish planting rice early.

Besides assisting disadvantaged households during the harvest season, social welfare work for orphaned children and impoverished families in Chau Khe commune is also a top priority for the women's associations at all levels. “This January 2026, I just submitted an application to be removed from the poverty list. It's all thanks to the support of the Party committee and the government, especially the close assistance from the women's association members. In 2025, the village women's association collected and sold scrap materials to help my family earn 3 million VND to buy 3,000 acacia saplings, and the farmers' association provided livestock. This year, the women's association members are continuing to help my family plant rice in the spring. With such practical help, I am now confident that I will escape poverty,” said Ms. Vieng Thi Ngan from Dong Tien village, Chau Khe commune.

In Chau Khe commune, there are 59 children who have lost either their father or mother. Of these, women's associations have connected with benefactors who have sponsored 42 children. These Tet gifts and monthly support not only help the children attend school but also warm the hearts of families whose parents have to work far away.

The practical actions of women's associations at all levels, such as in Nga My and Chau Khe communes, are gradually helping women's and farmers' households overcome difficulties in labor and production, promoting the spirit of "mutual support," and providing motivation to escape poverty.