Nearly 50 years of nurturing neighborhood affection
Recently, the City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony to honor outstanding individuals in the cause of building, protecting and developing Ho Chi Minh City (1975-2025). Mr. Nguyen Khac Em is one of 60 outstanding individuals honored on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.
In a small house in an alley on Nguyen Du Street (District 1), Mr. Nguyen Khac Em recalled his years of "carrying prisoners and goods". From 1976 to 2024, nearly half a century ago, he took on the role of Head of Residential Group 29 (in Quarter 3), Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Currently, in her old age, she is still not struggling, actively propagating and mobilizing people to participate in local activities, closely coordinating with the government and organizations to build a civilized and humane neighborhood.
One of the strong marks in his journey is his dedication to helping the unfortunate lives. She directly mobilized and supported more than 42 poor and near-poor households, as well as families in difficult circumstances in the neighborhood, with a total donation of more than 500 million VND. Up to now, Quarter 3 has no more poor or near-poor households. Few people know that her family has gone through difficulties, but with a high sense of responsibility, she has made efforts to rise up and excellently completed all tasks.
Mr. Nguyen Khac Em is also a person who "dys problem" and is dedicated to social issues, when he often visits, chats, and improvises more than 10 young people involved in drug abuse, helping them quit addiction and rebuild their lives; actively mobilizes more than 50 cases to comply with the law, perform military service, and contribute to maintaining security and order in the locality.
Recalling the early days of being involved in the city's work, Mr. Em's voice sounded low: "At that time, our people were still in difficulty, and their awareness of the policy was not high. I have to persevere in mobilizing and explaining little by little. But then life got better, people also understood the story better," she said of her joy at witnessing positive changes in the community.
A shining mirror in real life
Despite his old age, he still cycled around alleys, " knocking on doors" of each house to mobilize for the poor. The image of an 80-year-old man still tirelessly working "without salary" has become a beautiful symbol of the spirit of dedication in Ben Nghe ward.
Looking back at the changes of the neighborhood after nearly 50 years, Mr. Khac Em was moved: "Now Ben Nghe is very different from before. The roads are spacious, high-rise buildings are built, people's lives are more prosperous. The love of the village is also getting better and better. I am happy to have contributed a small part to this development.
Vice Chairman of Ben Nghe Ward People's Committee, District 1, Ta Hoang Su highly appreciated the story of overcoming difficulties and continuing to help the community of Mr. Nguyen Khac Em, considering this a profound testament to the spirit of self-reliance, solidarity and responsibility.
According to Mr. Ta Hoang Su, Mr. Nguyen Khac Em is not only an example of determination and perseverance, showing the ability to change life by persistent will and labor, but also strongly spreading the spirit of mutual love in the community. The fact that a family who had difficulty returning to help others has improved the quality of life in common and created a positive motivation for the whole neighborhood.
