"The house has a real roof!"
The small, newly built, corrugated iron-roofed house, nestled on the hillside in Sin Che commune (Lao Cai province), is the greatest achievement that Ms. Hoai and her husband have had after more than 10 years of teaching and sticking to the border land.
Her husband is a farmer, attached to the corn and rice fields all year round. She alone takes care of the family finances, raising two young children and taking care of her elderly mother-in-law. Income from the salary of preschool teachers in particularly disadvantaged areas is just enough to cover daily expenses. The dilapidated temporary house with cracked earthen walls from the time of marriage has been a place to return to for many years.
"When I was informed that the union would support me with 50 million VND to build a house, I was moved and could not speak. I never thought that one day I could have such a real - sturdy, safe house, Ms. Hoai said in tears.
During the "Union Shelter" house handover ceremony, Ms. Hoai could not say much, only tightening the hands of union officials. "The house has a real roof!" - that was a simple saying but made all members of the group choked up.
Also during the working trip in early August 2025, Lao Cai Provincial Federation of Labor presented 50 million VND in support, drawn from the "Union Society" Fund contributed by union members and employees in the whole province to Mr. Sung Seo Giong - a civil servant of Sin Che commune.
Mr. Giong is of the H'Mong ethnic group, his father died early, his mother was old and sick, and he alone took care of his family in 5 meals. "This new house not only helps me have a decent place to live, but also motivates me to continue to stay and serve the people in the commune," Mr. Giong shared.
The small dream of a single female worker
More than 100km from Sin Che commune, in Lao Cai ward, Ms. Vu Thi Hue - a worker at Phu Hung Import-Export Joint Stock Company - has just received a support of 25 million VND to repair a level 4 house that has seriously degraded. That house has been the residence of the mother and daughter for more than 15 years. Her husband left when her child was still young, she worked alone, from sewing to production, as long as she had money to raise her child.
"Many times I have planned to borrow from the bank to repair the house and then stop, because I am afraid I won't have money to pay interest. Just like that, it leaks in the rainy season, and is hot in the sunny season. Every time there is a strong wind, I am afraid the roof will fly away. Thanks to the support of trade unions at all levels, my dream has now come true, the female worker confided.
In the same support period this time, many other union members also received funds from the "Union Shelter" program, such as Ms. Do Thi Nhung - a union member in Si Ma Cai and Ms. Doan Thi Thuy - a worker at Minh Thanh Phat Company. They are all workers in the highlands, who have never dared to think about building or repairing a house because there is too much burden on their shoulders.
Speaking at the house handover ceremonies, Mr. Nguyen Chuong Phat - Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial Federation of Labor - emphasized: "We identify caring for the lives of workers as a core, long-term task and must be done with all our heart. Each "Union Shelter" is a piece in the picture of social security, a place to spread love, connecting union members with the Union organization".
According to Mr. Nguyen Chuong Phat, from the beginning of 2025 to now, Lao Cai Provincial Federation of Labor has supported the construction and repair of 92 "Union Shelters", with a total cost of more than 4.05 billion VND. This is not only a social security program - it is also a strong statement of trust, responsibility and strong solidarity between workers and their representative organizations.
In addition to cash support, each family also received 5 gifts from the Trade Union organization, worth 500,000 VND/gift - as a wish for a new, warmer and more fulfilling start, said the Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial Federation of Labor.
