Read a book, open your life

A year ago, miner Pham Dinh Duan was awarded the title of Labor Hero. This is not only an honor for him personally, for the miners, but also a testament to the spirit of learning, a strong inspirational example.

Among the 13 individuals and collectives honored in the program "Vietnamese Glory XXI in 2025" directed by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, organized and implemented by Lao Dong Newspaper with the theme "Proudness and Aspiration", miner Pham Dinh Duan is a rather special character: A role model of a person who rose from a miner to a model production team leader, not only successful in his work thanks to perseverance and determination but also thanks to his love of reading books, constantly learning from each book.

Pham Dinh Duan, a young man born and raised in the countryside of Thai Binh (now Hung Yen province), initially did not have many clear orientations for his career path. But a saying from his uncle who worked as a miner changed everything. "So tall and healthy, if you don't know what career to choose, go out to Quang Ninh to work in a mine!" - that simple saying was like an important milestone that brought Duan into a land full of challenges but also very glorious for the mining industry.

In 2003, when he was only 20 years old, Duan left his hometown and came to Quang Ninh to start learning mining. Although it was the first time he stepped into the ground, he could not help but be overwhelmed by the suffocating atmosphere, darkness and the noise of machinery. But not long after, Duan realized that this was the place where he needed to persevere, learn and develop.

Although the work in the mine was full of hardships and dangers, Duan never gave up. He learned not only through practical experience but also through professional books. The book not only helped him understand more about the job, but also opened up more effective working methods for him, helping him overcome the harsh challenges here.

Throughout his working journey, Duan has constantly learned and developed. He is not only an excellent worker but also a pioneer in improving mining techniques. His initiatives not only make work safer and more efficient but also help increase labor productivity. He shared: "Reading books helps me see work in a different way, learn things I have never thought of. Without knowledge, without books, I would not be able to complete large projects.

From a mining worker, Pham Dinh Duan has become a production team leader, the head of a team of miners. He always remembers that to make his team strong, each individual in the team must be strong. Therefore, he constantly shares knowledge and experience with colleagues, especially young workers who are new to the profession. He not only teaches theory, but also "holds hands and guides", helping them to be more steadfast in their work.

Mr. Duan shared that every time he sees young workers progressing and growing up, it is the greatest happiness for him. The books and materials he read have helped him impart knowledge in an easy and effective way, thereby helping his teammates to be more confident in their work. His initiatives not only change the working process but also help increase labor productivity and ensure safety for workers.

Mr. Duan is not only a person with many years of experience working underground but also a person who is always in search and creative in his work. It is thanks to knowledge from books that he has been able to create technical solutions to help the company improve production processes, ensure labor safety and improve work efficiency. Notably, he invented a new mining method, helping to increase output while still protecting the environment.

The book is not only a learning tool, but also a source of motivation to help Duan overcome all challenges. In moments of fatigue and stress after each long shift, he finds joy and relaxation in the pages of the book. He believes that books help him re-examine life, work and bring him new ideas. Specialized books have helped him analyze situations at work, thereby making sound decisions.

Pham Dinh Duan's journey from an ordinary miner to an excellent production team leader is clear evidence that reading books not only helps him improve his professional qualifications but also helps him overcome challenges in his profession. He is not only a good miner but also a responsible person and always inspires colleagues.

Labor Hero Pham Dinh Duan affirmed that there is no path to success without continuous learning and development, and books are the precious companion on that path.

There was a period when information technology began to explode, many new types of entertainment appeared, making many people think that: Books lost their position, reading books became a luxury, especially for workers who needed overtime to earn extra income and ensure their lives.

But reality proves that strengthening knowledge makes each person's path to success shorter, faster and less sweat and effort-consuming. Therefore, reading culture still plays an extremely important role, especially for workers and laborers. Although technology brings many benefits in learning and accessing information, maintaining and developing reading culture plays an important role in improving the quality of spiritual life and developing professional skills of workers. Reading culture is not only a bridge to help workers access new knowledge but also contributes to improving labor productivity and creating motivation for personal development, bringing positive changes in society.

Traditional reading culture has been present in the lives of workers for a long time. Previously, workers mainly accessed information through newspapers, books, and direct meetings and exchanges. At trade unions, factories, and enterprises, worker bookshelves are organized to create opportunities for workers to find and read useful books, thereby developing intelligence and raising awareness about work, profession, and society. Discussions about books and cultural activities at workplaces help workers not only have professional knowledge but also form personality and solidarity.

However, in the context of the 4.0 industrial revolution, where technology and automation are increasingly developing, traditional forms of reading are gradually being replaced by electronic media. The Internet, smartphones and e-reader applications have become the main tools for workers to access information. However, reading culture has not decreased at all, but on the contrary, it has been elevated and there has been a transformation in the way of accessing knowledge.

Technology has made reading easier than ever. With the development of e-book platforms, reading applications and online materials, workers can access a rich source of materials even when they do not have the conditions to go to libraries or worker bookshelves. Online training programs, free courses, audiobooks, and video tutorials are all endless resources that workers can refer to anytime, anywhere.

However, the convenience of technology also creates many challenges. While workers can easily download books to their phones and read them at any time, the lack of information classification, or too much access to poor quality information sources can cause workers to be "overloaded" with unnecessary information, affecting their ability to absorb and apply it to work.

This issue raises an important question: How do workers know how to filter information

is useful and maintaining reading habits helps develop yourself in the digital age?

The Trade Union bookshelf is the answer to this problem and becomes a "connecting hand" of knowledge with workers and laborers. With the goal of not only improving material life but also caring for spiritual life, bookshelf models at companies have made an important contribution to forming reading habits, self-development and improving the quality of life for workers.

With the strong development of industry, the bookshelves built by the Trade Union are not only a place to store books and newspapers but also a bridge for workers to access knowledge, life skills and useful knowledge. Many businesses in industrial parks, especially in Hai Phong, have maintained the model of worker libraries and friendly reading corners.

Typically at Brother Vietnam Industry Co., Ltd., a worker library was established in 2011 with more than 1,200 books. The quiet space of the library is located within the dormitory's entertainment area, creating conditions for workers to take advantage of their rest time to read books and improve their knowledge. A female worker at the company shared: "Every time I am free, I go to the library to borrow books to read. There are many useful types of books that help me relax and learn more new things.

In a hard working environment, workers often have difficulty maintaining mental development. However, the Trade Union bookshelf has helped them find joy and relaxation through books. Each month, about 200 workers come to the company library to read books and borrow them to take home. The books are not just entertainment but also contain lessons on professional skills, health care, communication skills, and many other useful topics.

The company's library not only serves entertainment needs but is also a place to help workers improve their knowledge, help them improve their skills and advance in their work. This is part of efforts to improve the spiritual life of workers" - the company leader said.

Not only stopping at providing books, many companies also expand the Trade Union bookshelf with the goal of attracting workers' participation in reading culture activities. At Synztec Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Hai Phong, the Trade Union bookshelf has developed from nearly 100 initial book titles to more than 3,000 books in just a few years. The books here are very diverse, from legal books, skills, art of behavior to Vietnamese and foreign literary works.

According to the Chairman of Synztec Company's Trade Union, workers' reading needs are very large, and the construction of the Trade Union bookshelf has met this need. "The Trade Union bookshelf not only helps workers entertain themselves during lunch breaks but also provides the necessary knowledge for them to develop themselves. Every time workers borrow books to take home, they not only bring back pages of books, but also bring back new knowledge, improving their abilities.

In addition to serving workers, the Trade Union's bookshelf also does not forget to take care of future generations. Many companies have added children's books for workers' children, helping them have the opportunity to access knowledge from a young age. Children's bookshelves not only contain comic books and educational books but are also great tools for them to learn and explore the world around them.

At Synztec Co., Ltd., the children's bookshelf has been expanded and updated with hundreds of books, helping children have a useful summer. A worker with young children shared: "Books for children are really useful. Reading books helps children develop thinking and reduce the use of phones, thereby protecting their health.

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Writer Y Ban shared that: "Books are always necessary, especially for workers". According to the writer, maintaining the habit of reading books helps workers improve their understanding of their profession and field of work. Specialized books, research materials, or in-depth articles help workers better understand production processes, new techniques, and technological innovation initiatives, thereby improving labor productivity and work quality. Moreover, workers can learn from successful models in the industry to apply to their work, contributing to the overall development of the business.

Reading culture not only helps workers absorb knowledge but also helps them develop creative thinking. Literary works, books on soft skills, or articles on management and leadership can help workers form critical thinking, teamwork, and time management skills. These skills are essential in the modern industrial environment, where creativity and problem-solving ability play an important role.

Reading books is also a great tool to motivate workers in their work. Books about self-development, about labor examples of overcoming difficulties will arouse in them the belief in their abilities and strengths. At the same time, reading culture helps workers find comfort and encouragement in difficult times, helping them overcome challenges and maintain their efforts in work" - writer Y Ban said - "Besides improving professional knowledge, reading culture also has a positive effect on the spiritual life of workers. Hard work and long working hours can make workers tired and stressed, but a good book can help them relax and regenerate energy. In particular, books on psychology and social issues will help workers have a broader view of life, reduce stress and work pressure.

In a modern working environment, strengthening books and newspapers for workers is the responsibility of business leaders and grassroots Trade Union organizations. Especially books on law, books on politics and life skills.

Besides businesses that do a good job of bringing books to workers and laborers, building Trade Union bookshelves, there are still many places where this issue has not been paid attention to. Directive 58-CT/TW issued on January 10, 2026 by the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee on strengthening the Party's leadership in propaganda, political, ideological, and legal education for workers in the new situation has directly looked at the issue "Besides the achieved results, there are still some limitations and shortcomings such as: Some agencies, units, employers, and Trade Union organizations have not paid full and appropriate attention and have not closely coordinated in organizing propaganda, political, ideological, and legal education for workers; content is still spread out, methods and forms are still monotonous, administrative, and persuasiveness is not high".

Therefore, the Secretariat requests: "Propaganda and education work focuses on equipping workers with basic contents about Ho Chi Minh's politics and ideology; Party's guidelines and viewpoints; policies and laws of the State; patriotic traditions, aspirations for development, spirit of solidarity, will of self-reliance, self-strengthening, national pride, thereby enhancing political bravery, class-awareness, awareness of law compliance, industrial style and worker culture; and at the same time consolidating workers' belief in the Party's leadership, fostering patriotism, civic responsibility, and improving the ability to identify wrong, hostile views, acts of taking advantage, inciting, causing instability in labor relations and social order.

Legal education focuses on regulations directly related to workers' rights and obligations; improving access to the law, awareness of self-protection of rights and interests; the ability to participate in dialogue, collective bargaining and supervision of law enforcement at enterprises”.

The Directive also clearly states: "Trade Union organizations at all levels proactively coordinate, dialogue, and negotiate with employers to arrange appropriate time, convenient locations and support the necessary resources for propaganda and education work. Promptly summarize, evaluate, commend and replicate good models and effective ways of doing things".

For the first time, there is a very clear directive from the Party on the time spent on studying and absorbing knowledge of workers. Directive 58 requires: "Integralize the regulation that employers are responsible for annually organizing and spending a total of at least 8 working hours entitled to full salary for workers to participate in propaganda, political, ideological, and legal education activities at enterprises".

Directive 58 opens up new learning opportunities for workers. In addition, it is necessary to continue to launch the movement of self-study, self-reading, self-improvement associated with lifelong learning, which is the factor to build a workforce with knowledge, skills, knowing how to apply and master technology.

The book will make an important contribution to this issue because the value of each page of the book, each book today will open up a more successful and better life, and Labor Hero Pham Dinh Duan is the most clearly inspiring flame.