Fulfilling the oath to the Party
“My life has three unforgettable events: the first time I had the honor of joining the Party; the time I represented the fishing industry Party members at the 5th National Party Congress; and most recently, the awarding of the 50-Year Party Membership Badge,” – shared Mr. Pham Dinh Duoc, a veteran Party member in Hai Giang 1 block, Cua Lo ward, with simple yet proud words, affirming a lifetime of unwavering loyalty and fulfillment of his oath to the Party.
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Gia Huy ButTechnique:Hong Toai• 07/11/2025
“My life has three unforgettable events: the first time I had the honor of joining the Party; the time I represented the fishing industry Party members at the 5th National Party Congress; and most recently, the awarding of the 50-Year Party Membership Badge,” – shared Mr. Pham Dinh Duoc, a veteran Party member in Hai Giang 1 block, Cua Lo ward, with simple yet proud words, affirming a lifetime of unwavering loyalty and fulfillment of his oath to the Party.
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Holding the 50-year Party membership badge he had just been awarded, Mr. Pham Dinh Duoc (born in 1952) had a look of deep emotion in his eyes. Memories of more than half a century of struggle flooded back – the days of his youth, brimming with ideals and burning with the desire to stand in the ranks of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Born into a fisherman's family in Hai Binh hamlet, Nghi Hai ward, Cua Lo town (formerly), now Cua Lo ward, Pham Dinh Duoc was familiar with the sound of waves and the voyages of fishing boats from a young age. After graduating from the Fisheries Vocational School, he returned to work at the Cua Hoi Fishing Enterprise under the Nghe Tinh Fisheries Department.
Starting as a young crew member, thanks to his sense of responsibility, energy, and enthusiasm, he was trusted and appointed as first mate, then captain, and concurrently served as the Secretary of the Youth Union branch of the two offshore fishing vessels.
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“A pair of ships had about 24 people, including officials, workers, and youth union members, with a Party branch leading the way and a vibrant Youth Union branch. Everyone was close-knit and loved each other like brothers. Wherever our ships went, we achieved success!” – Mr. Duoc recalled.
Thanks to his exemplary work ethic and pioneering role in community activities, in 1975, at the young age of 23, Mr. Pham Dinh Duoc was honored to be admitted to the Party. Shortly after, he was elected to the Party Committee of the Cua Hoi Fishing Enterprise.
Having been an outstanding grassroots emulation fighter for 10 consecutive years, in March 1982, Mr. Pham Dinh Duoc was honored to be selected as a delegate of Party members from the fishing industry to attend the 5th National Party Congress – at the young age of 30.
“I was so happy I couldn’t sleep!” – Mr. Duoc recounted, his eyes filled with emotion as he recalled the event. “It was my first time in the capital, my first time attending such a significant event, and I was the youngest delegate from Nghe Tinh province. I felt proud, emotional, and incredibly responsible. The Nghe Tinh Party Committee delegation at that time was led by Comrade Nguyen Ky Cam – Secretary of the Nghe Tinh Provincial Party Committee…” – Mr. Duoc shared.
The Fifth National Congress of the Party was of great significance in the process of transition to socialism in Vietnam, reflecting the Party's emerging innovative thinking. It also marked a new turning point in the Party's leadership on the path of struggle "All for the socialist Fatherland, for the happiness of the people."
Attending the Congress in person, young Party member Pham Dinh Duoc deeply felt the spirit of unity and the aspiration for innovation permeating every speech and every resolution. He vowed to himself that he would translate the Party's resolutions into concrete actions in his life, spreading that spirit to his colleagues, the people, and the fishing community of his hometown.
Even today, in his small house in Hai Giang 1 block, he still keeps the black-and-white photograph taken with the Nghe Tinh Party Committee delegation at the 5th National Party Congress. "It's a sacred memento, a milestone in the life of a Party member," he said, his voice slow and emotional.
The joy and pride of attending the National Party Congress became the driving force for Mr. Pham Dinh Duoc to successfully complete all assigned tasks. Whether working or living in his village, he was always trusted by the Party and loved by the people because of his exemplary spirit of "saying and doing."
After retiring from his job in 1993, he settled in Hai Giang 1 residential area. In 1997, trusted by the people, he was elected head of the residential area, and subsequently held many other important positions such as Standing Committee member of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Nghi Hai ward (formerly). After retiring from the ward, he continued to serve as Secretary of the Hai Giang 1 residential area Party Branch for two more terms.
In every role he held, he dared to think, dared to act, and dared to take responsibility for the common good. The people of Hai Giang 1 block still recount his "bold but wise" story. When the block didn't have electricity, Mr. Pham Dinh Duoc, then the block leader, boldly borrowed tens of millions of dong from well-off households in the block to bring in his own electricity and establish a transparent management board to handle all income and expenses.
“Many people told me I was reckless, but I thought: Whatever benefits the people must be done. Fortunately, I received support from officials, Party members, and the people in the area. After only one year, I was able to repay the loan and even make a profit,” he said with a gentle smile.
Thanks to that pioneering effort, Hai Giang 1 block now has stable electricity supply – becoming the first locality in Cua Lo ward to have electricity reaching every house and every alley.
Not only is he an energetic leader, but he is also a unifying force in the community. The Hai Giang 1 block includes both fishermen and officials, civil servants, and retirees. It also houses a traditional fish sauce making village and boasts a high level of education among its residents. Therefore, all policies, initiatives, and campaigns are exemplary and lead by example among the officials and people in the block.
Thanks to the collective efforts and unity of officials, Party members, and the people, Hai Giang 1 block became one of the first units of the former Cua Lo town (now Cua Lo ward) to be recognized as a "Provincial-level Cultural Village," leading many emulation movements: from building cultural life, arts, and sports to social and charitable activities.
According to Mr. Dang Quoc Dong, Head of Hai Giang 1 Block, Cua Lo Ward: Currently, the block has over 300 households and more than 1,100 residents. There are no longer any poor households, only a few near-poor households due to special circumstances. Exemplary and reputable Party members like Mr. Pham Dinh Duoc are the foundation and role models for cadres, Party members, and the people to follow.
Now, though his hair has turned gray and his health is failing, Mr. Pham Dinh Duoc still maintains the spirit of a pioneering Party member: simple, exemplary, and responsible. “The more the Party and the people trust and honor me, the greater my responsibility to set an example. The Party badge is not just a reward, but a daily reminder – to keep my oath, to uphold the integrity of a Party member, to firmly believe in the Party's ideals, and to contribute to building a more prosperous, beautiful, and civilized homeland,” Mr. Pham Dinh Duoc shared emotionally.
And with that unwavering belief, the party member who had attended the National Party Congress expressed his confidence and expectation: "The upcoming 14th National Party Congress will make breakthroughs, bringing the country's development to a new level."
