Under the roof on Binh Gia street (neighborhood 21, Tan Binh ward, Ho Chi Minh City), every early morning of the veteran cadre passes very simply. The 98-year-old old man still leisurely opens the daily newspaper, reads fluently each line of current affairs and then sips a glass of Dinh Lang leaf water. According to the Party Committee of Tan Binh ward, on September 2, 2026, the joy will be even more complete when he is honored to receive the 80-year Party membership badge - a rare milestone of a lifetime of dedication.
A lifetime for the people, full of affection for the neighborhood
Hometown in Phu Tuc commune (Vinh Long province), Mr. Nguyen Hoang Sam (also known as Mr. Ba Sam) was enlightened about the revolution early and was admitted to the Party on August 1, 1948.
In his revolutionary life, Mr. Sam worked in many positions such as enlisting in Company aa5, Battalion 333, working as a nurse in Battalion H10 Southern "Main Force", working as Head of Internal Management Department of Military Region 7, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Office, Colonel Head of the Maintenance Department, Officers of Military Region 7...
From 1992 to now, he has moved Party activities to his locality (now neighborhood 21, Tan Binh ward, Ho Chi Minh City).
However, when returning to ordinary life, Mr. Sam has never stopped. For decades of holding the role of Secretary of the Party Cell cum Head of the residential group, he has become a solid support for the people. On heavy rainy days, the old man with gray hair wears a raincoat to go to the small alleys to see if the road is flooded to promptly support the people. Seeing the sewer mouth jammed with garbage, he does not hesitate to quietly pick it up so that the water flows away quickly. On Party cell meetings, from 5 am, he gets up to personally prop up each chair, warm up hot water and quietly wait for everyone.
Thanks to his impartiality and rich compassion, he became a reliable support for the people. From poor people to neighborly conflicts, everyone came to him to resolve them. That dedication made his wife repeatedly reproach him: "Every night I only see him on the street!".
Following the family tradition under the banner of the Party
Not only wholeheartedly for neighbors, Mr. Ba Sam is also a bright example guiding the way for his children. Every month, in the warm atmosphere of family reunions, the simple instructions of the elderly father have become a lifelong guideline for his children.
Dad has no assets for you children other than a decent family background and a job to support yourself. From there, you must strive on your own, look at your parents and live decently, so that you will never be ashamed of anyone" - that profound advice has become a guiding principle for all three of his daughters.
Following in their father's footsteps, his children are all honored to join the ranks of the Party. Ms. Nguyen Thi Kieu Oanh (eldest daughter, working at Thong Nhat Hospital) with nearly 20 years of Party membership always considers her father's teachings as motivation to maintain professional ethics and dedication to work.
Following in her father's footsteps in local work, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kieu Lien (youngest daughter, Head of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Work Committee of Quarter 21, Tan Binh Ward) could not help but be moved when mentioning his 80-year Party journey. For her, her father's life of silent and complete dedication is always a great pride of the whole family.
My father has never sought titles or medals, because even his life during the war, he did not regret it. Coming here, he received the 80-year Party membership badge, which is a source of pride for us to remind our children and grandchildren: You may not become famous, but you must definitely live decently like your grandfather," Ms. Kieu Lien emotionally confided.
Looking back at the journey of nearly a century, Mr. Ba Sam's eyes still sparkle with faith entrusted to the next generation. The veteran official believes that the fire of tradition will continue to be preserved and lit by young Party members and firmly move forward under the glorious Party flag.
