Is the traditional Golden Book a scam or just a ploy?

(Baonghean) - Recently, hundreds of members of the Veterans Association and the Elderly Association in Tuong Duong have expressed extreme frustration, claiming they have been deceived by a scheme involving certificates bearing the inscriptions "Eight Golden Words" and "The Older You Get, the Wiser You Become." In response to this issue, we investigated further and found that My Dung Digital Color Photography Co., Ltd. is suspected of exploiting the reputation of these two organizations for fraudulent purposes.

250,000 VND and a worthless piece of paper.

Mr. Vi Van Thanh, a member of the Veterans Association branch in Phong village, Thach Giam commune (Tuong Duong district), said: “Around mid-February 2014, the branch chairman announced over the loudspeaker inviting members to the village cultural center to take commemorative photos. When I arrived, I saw four people (two men and two women) speaking with a Northern accent, carrying equipment such as cameras, computers, and printers... After taking the photos, they asked me to get a certificate of ‘Eight Golden Words’. Thinking it was a certificate from the Association, I agreed. A few days later they brought it, and only then did I realize that the paper had no signature or seal from any level of the association. Although extremely upset, I still reluctantly gave them 250,000 VND as agreed.”

Certificate of "Eight Golden Words"

Outraged, Mr. Lo Thanh Dan (from Phong village) stated that, according to the announcement from the branch chairman, he went to the village cultural center to have his photo taken for inclusion in the commemorative book and to obtain a membership card. Afterward, he was persuaded by the photographers to have a "Eight Golden Words" certificate made. Like many other members, Mr. Dan thought this was a certificate from the Veterans Association and agreed to have it made for 250,000 VND. However, upon receiving the framed "Eight Golden Words" certificate, he realized it had no legal value. Mr. Dan expressed his frustration: "This piece of paper is worth less than a 'Good Child' certificate from a kindergarten student. The 'Good Child' certificate is awarded weekly by teachers based on specific criteria, but this certificate is being produced indiscriminately. Through this, I feel cheated; I feel like I bought the frame at a very high price."

Certificate of "The older you get, the wiser you become".

The so-called "Eight Golden Words" certificate is a 30x40 cm piece of paper placed in a frame. At the top are the national emblem, the national name, and then the following lines of text in order: Vietnam Veterans Association, Executive Committee of the Nghe An Provincial Veterans Association, member's name, date of birth, Veterans Association of the commune - district - province. Next is the phrase "Eight Golden Words of Honor": "Loyalty, unity, exemplary conduct, innovation" (in capital letters). And at the bottom is the phrase: "Complete Loyalty to the Nation, Deep Comradeship." In the left corner is a photo of the member printed directly on the paper, and in the right corner is a photo of General Vo Nguyen Giap. Besides that, there are no numbers, signatures, or seals of any level of association.

Official document from the Veterans Association of Tuong Duong District

When discussing this issue with Mr. Vi Quang Tinh, the head of the Veterans Association branch in Phong village, Mr. Tinh stated: “I only followed the directive from the district and commune Veterans Associations regarding notifying members to come to the cultural center for photo taking. The issuance of the ‘Eight Golden Words’ certificates was voluntary; no one forced the members.” Mr. Tinh acknowledged that the “Eight Golden Words” certificates have no monetary value and are only for “decorating the house.” According to him, approximately 60% of the branch's members have fallen victim to this scam involving the issuance of these “Eight Golden Words” honorary certificates.

We met with Mr. Kha Duong Tuan, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Thach Giam commune, to further clarify the issue. In response to our questions, Mr. Tuan affirmed: “We are implementing the directive from the District Veterans Association regarding taking photos to be recorded in the traditional golden book and issuing free membership cards. The issuance of the ‘Eight Golden Words’ certificate is an agreement between the company's staff and the members.” According to Mr. Tuan's statistics, approximately 130 out of 200 members in Thach Giam commune have agreed to have the “Eight Golden Words” certificate issued.

According to our investigation, this phenomenon is occurring not only in Thach Giam but also in most communes in Tuong Duong district. According to information from Xieng My commune, the cost of obtaining a "Eight Golden Words" certificate is as high as 350,000 VND. When we spoke with the leaders of the Veterans Association of Tuong Duong district, we received a similar answer from Mr. Lo Dinh Xuyen, Chairman of the Association: “We only instruct the Veterans Associations in the communes to cooperate with My Dung Digital Color Photo Co., Ltd. to take free photos for members to be recorded in the traditional golden book and to make membership cards. The issuance of the "Eight Golden Words" certificate is an agreement between the employees of My Dung Digital Color Photo Co., Ltd. and the members during the process; we do not direct this.” And when asked whether the "Eight Golden Words" certificate has any legal value, Mr. Xuyen affirmed: “Legally, it has no value.”

Voluntary and free?

Official document No. 01/CV-CCB from the Veterans Association of Tuong Duong District, signed by Vice Chairman Lo Van Xay, addressed to the Standing Committee of the Veterans Associations of communes and towns, concerns the "Making Traditional Golden Books for the Veterans Associations at the commune and town level." The content is as follows: The Standing Committee of the District Association, in coordination with My Dung Digital Color Photography Co., Ltd., will create Traditional Golden Books for the Veterans Associations of 18 communes and towns. Specifically, this includes two tasks: 1- Taking photos to be included in the Traditional Golden Book for the grassroots Veterans Associations (free of charge), with each commune receiving one Traditional Golden Book plus a 3x4cm photo free of charge; 2- Taking photos for membership cards (free of charge), from February 10th to March 10th, 2014. The next part of the document reads: “My Dung Digital Color Photography Co., Ltd. will directly go to the communes to take photos of the two aforementioned topics free of charge. In addition, officials, members, and their families who need new photos, enlarged photos, or photo processing will receive preferential prices using modern technology and a team of experienced staff. The company's purpose is to promote and expand its market; the working group does not require any conditions from the association or the locality.” And the final part of the document reads: “This is a practical service for members on a voluntary basis by My Dung Digital Color Photography Co., Ltd.... Any difficulties encountered during implementation should be reported to the Standing Committee of the District Veterans Association.”

It's easy to see that the official document contains sections that are more or less promotional in nature, advertising My Dung Digital Color Photography Co., Ltd. Anyone who sees this document will naturally ask themselves: What kind of business does My Dung Digital Color Photography Co., Ltd. operate that allows its "experienced staff" to travel to the remote district of Tuong Duong to take photos for the traditional Golden Book and membership cards for free?

But in reality, they were soliciting members to obtain "Eight Golden Words" certificates for 250,000 VND (350,000 VND for remote areas). This makes it easy to see the deceptive tactic of My Dung Digital Color Photography Co., Ltd. They invested a small amount of effort and money in taking photos for the traditional Golden Book and providing free 3x4 photos for members, while exploiting this to solicit the so-called "Eight Golden Words" certificates (which have no legal validity) for dozens of times the cost. With hundreds of members registering, this company raked in a considerable sum, possibly hundreds of millions of VND. What's noteworthy is that with this scheme, My Dung Digital Color Photography Co., Ltd. managed to deceive the Veterans Association of Tuong Duong District. Although the official document sent to the grassroots level did not mention anything about issuing the "Eight Golden Words" certificate, when it reached the branches, employees of My Dung Digital Color Photography Co., Ltd. arbitrarily solicited membership. This company used the name of the Veterans Association to deceive members for profit. The so-called "Eight Golden Words" certificate included the name of the Veterans Association from the central level down to the grassroots level.

Not only members of the Veterans Association but also hundreds of members of the Elderly Association in Tuong Duong district were deceived by My Dung Digital Color Photography Co., Ltd. using a similar scheme. They offered free photos for the Elderly Association's commemorative book and membership card issuance. However, the company's staff negotiated directly with the members regarding portrait photography, new photo creation, and photo restoration. Furthermore, My Dung Digital Color Photography Co., Ltd. even produced what they called a "Certificate of Wisdom: The Older You Get." In appearance, this certificate resembled the "Eight Golden Words" certificate of the Veterans Association (except for the absence of a photo of General Vo Nguyen Giap). In content, after the national emblem and name, the following lines appeared: Vietnam Elderly Association, Executive Committee of the Nghe An Provincial Elderly Association, member's name, date of birth, and Elderly Association member's name (district, province).

Then came the capitalized words: "The older the age, the wiser the mind, setting a bright example for the cause of building and defending the Fatherland," and at the bottom was the note "Excerpt from President Ho Chi Minh's Letter to the Elderly People of the Whole Country" (it's easy to see that it's written incorrectly according to Vietnamese spelling rules). Like the "Eight Golden Words" certificate, this piece of paper also lacks the signature and seal of any association level and also has a price of 250,000 VND. When we discussed this with Ms. Lo Thi Tim, President of the Elderly Association of Tuong Duong District, she affirmed that the Association only collaborated with My Dung Digital Color Photography Co., Ltd. to create a commemorative Golden Book for the commune-level associations and provide free ID photos for members. When we asked about the piece of paper and the aforementioned words, Ms. Lo Thi Tim said she had never heard of it. So, could it be that, like the Veterans Association, the Elderly Association of Tuong Duong District has been "deceived" by My Dung Digital Color Photography Co., Ltd.?

In light of this incident, relevant authorities and departments need to investigate the fraudulent schemes of My Dung Digital Color Photography Co., Ltd. Furthermore, organizations and associations should exercise heightened vigilance before recommending any organization providing services to their members.

Text and photos:Tuong Anh