These are very sincere words of worker Ninh Thi Loan, born in 1988, a garbage collector at Hanoi Urban Environment Company, Hoan Kiem branch. Ms. Loan has been attached to the profession for 20 years and is one of more than 1,000 workers and laborers participating in the parade on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of International Labor Day (May 1, 1886 - May 1, 2026) on April 28, recently organized by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor.
The confidences of a simple worker but evoke many profound meanings. Ms. Loan's presence, proud eyes, and natural radiant smile are not spontaneous emotions. It is the crystallization of a whole process of persistent labor, of rainy nights, early mornings, of the smell of garbage, of hardship that few people understand. When standing in the "busy, boiling" atmosphere of the worker's day, that emotion seems to be awakened, called, and becomes clearer than ever.
In Ms. Loan's simple saying, there is also a larger layer of meaning: Awareness of the tradition of the working class. This shows that today's workers not only work for a living, but also have faith and pride in their role in society. They understand that, from seemingly small jobs such as sweeping garbage, collecting garbage, to modern industries, all contribute to creating the face of a civilized city, a developed country.
Emotions like Ms. Loan's are the "underlying thread" that nurtures social strength. An economy can be built with capital, with technology, but it can only operate sustainably when there are people working with pride and responsibility. When workers feel that their work is meaningful and appreciated, they will not only work to complete the task, but also work with all their enthusiasm.
From the story of worker Ninh Thi Loan raised the question: What needs to be done to help each worker continue to nurture the flame of pride to contribute to the country?
That question was partly answered in the speech of General Secretary and President To Lam at a meeting with workers in Ho Chi Minh City on April 27 on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2026) and the 140th anniversary of International Labor Day (May 1, 1886 - May 1, 2026).
Before the workers and laborers, the General Secretary and President shared: "I am touched to see that there are many beautiful examples here. There are workers who, despite difficult circumstances, despite unfortunately suffering from serious illnesses, still persistently overcome them, still optimistic, still try to work, take care of their families and not give up on fate. There are workers who are eager to learn, diligent, creative, have many technical innovations, benefit businesses, contributing to improving labor productivity. There are Trade Union officials who quietly and dedicatedly go to each boarding house, to each workshop, each worker's family day and night to grasp difficulties, mobilize support, and share in times of hardship.
Those stories are very simple but very precious. Simple things in life but reflect the beauty of Vietnamese workers today: hardworking, hardworking, energetic, responsible, knowing how to love family, attached to colleagues, businesses, trade union organizations and the country”.
When the head of the Party and State emphasizes "looking straight, listening carefully and resolving with responsibility and love", it is not just sharing, but a request for action.
A very thought-provoking point in the speech of the General Secretary and President is the concept of innovation: "Innovation is not something far-fetched. Innovation can start from a more reasonable operation, a more scientific chain arrangement, an idea that helps save time, reduce accidents, reduce hardship, and increase productivity. These simple initiatives, if respected and replicated, will create great strength for businesses and for the economy, for the country.
Contributing to the country can come from the actions of each person, such as Ms. Ninh Thi Loan's daily cleaning work or the courageous efforts of 101 grassroots Trade Union Presidents with outstanding typical achievements in collective dialogue and negotiation work who were just commended on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of International Labor Day and Workers' Month 2026 just held on April 28.
Speaking to direct at the anniversary ceremony, Comrade Tran Thanh Man - Member of the Politburo, Chairman of the National Assembly emphasized that under the leadership of the Party, Vietnamese workers have been present in all industries and economic sectors, being the core force, leading the cause of industrialization, modernization of the country and international integration. The Vietnam Trade Union has clearly affirmed its role as a large socio-political organization of the working class, a reliable support for union members and workers, operating more and more practically, effectively, deeply and substantively; organizing many very meaningful movements, ensuring better and better the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of workers.
Also at this ceremony, Member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor - Nguyen Anh Tuan mentioned the important role of grassroots Trade Union officials: "Comrades have worked silently but strongly, skillfully but resolutely, flexibly but persistently, persistently, many comrades accepted to sacrifice personal interests, all for the interests of the majority of union members and workers, for harmonious labor relations and sustainable business development".
Mentioning the labor spirit of workers, the President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor expressed: "The spirit of International Labor Day is still intact. Today, that sacred flame is continuing to ignite the aspiration to conquer the goal of double-digit growth and build a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilized, and happy country of tens of thousands of Trade Union officials and millions of union members and workers in Vietnam.
The President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour called on each Trade Union official, brothers, sisters, and workers to continue to promote the spirit of International Labor Day, promote the glorious tradition of the Vietnamese working class, constantly learn, train, improve political bravery, qualifications, professional skills, promote initiatives, technical innovations, improve labor productivity, and move towards mastering science and technology. Each Trade Union official, especially grassroots Trade Union officials, needs to do better the function of representing, caring for, and protecting the rights of workers, focusing on dialogue and collective negotiation, worthy of being a reliable support for union members and workers to strive to contribute to building a strong and prosperous Vietnam, firmly advancing into the new era.
A strong country is not only a country with a large economy, but also a place where every worker lives decently, is protected, is respected and has the opportunity to rise up. That is also the path to modernization associated with social progress and justice, building the core values that we are aiming for.
