"He's a propagandist."

(Baonghean) - Mr. Vi Van Phuoc's spacious stilt house is located deep within the Cham village road (Hanh Dich commune, Que Phong district), but it didn't take us long to find it, because everyone here knows him. Not only is he a role model for successful economic development, but he also actively promotes the implementation of Party and State policies among the villagers.

Despite his small stature, Mr. Vi Van Phuoc still appeared quite agile. He "asked permission" to cut vegetables and mix feed while chatting with the visitors from afar, as it was almost noon and time for the chickens and pigs to feed... The spacious garden, overflowing with green trees and vegetables, with its flock of black chickens and piglets, gave the impression of a warm and prosperous home. "My family has over a hundred chickens, a dozen black pigs, and nearly ten buffaloes and cows..." Mr. Vi Van Phuoc proudly boasted to us.

Mr. Vi Van Phuoc takes care of his pets.

Mr. Phuoc was formerly the Chairman of Hanh Dich Commune. In 1999, after retiring, he enthusiastically took on the role of Party Secretary of Cham village. At that time, the commune faced many difficulties, and the lives of the people were impoverished, mainly dependent on unstable agriculture. Along with that, a series of social evils such as drug addiction and theft caused many negative consequences for the village life. Even in Cham village, where he lived, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Thai ethnic minority people were still struggling to make a living. He actively worked with the local government to encourage people to boldly reclaim land, develop farm businesses, and combine it with reforestation, using short-term gains to support long-term development. The persuasion process faced many difficulties, primarily due to the passive and hesitant attitude of the people; on the other hand, they did not yet believe in the future of getting rich on this difficult land. To gain people's trust, he had to show them the results. This belief motivated him to develop his family's economy. Recalling those days, he reminisced: “As a cadre and Party member, I had to be proactive and take the lead, to keep my word, but I was still worried. Fortunately, the villagers trusted and followed my lead. In 2005, out of 58 households in the village, 52 were poor; now the number has increased to 76, with only 32 remaining poor.”

Mr. Vi Van Phuoc's skillful approach to propaganda and mobilization is also evident in his leading role in building the new rural development movement. In Cham village today, instead of the muddy dirt road, there is a well-maintained concrete road stretching far and wide. Mr. Vi Van Phuoc shared: “The construction of the rural road with concrete in the village is divided into 3 phases. The road is nearly 100 meters long, and 74 meters have been completed in the first two phases. There are still over 20 meters left, and the villagers are currently contributing money to implement the third phase. The government has provided cement, and the villagers discussed it among themselves, with each family contributing 200,000 VND to buy sand and gravel. The labor is being handled by the youth and the villagers themselves. Even this seemingly small task has faced many questions and concerns, because building the road requires clearing a portion of land belonging to 22 households in the village. Together with the local government and the village Party committee, Mr. Vi Van Phuoc personally met with each household, gently persuading them. “The people of Cham village are very kind-hearted; they only have questions, but once you explain things logically and make them understand, everything is resolved quickly.” "22 households in the village voluntarily donated land to open the road, with some households, like Mr. Lo Van Thai's, donating nearly 30 square meters of land..."

Vi Van Phuoc, the "propagandist," also demonstrated the active role of an exemplary elderly Party member by acting as a mediator, resolving conflicts, both large and small, in the daily lives of families. Arguments between young couples, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts... all were handled with dedication by him.

Nhat Le