Dantri/Dtinews Newspaper, in coordination with the Department of Home Affairs of Thai Nguyen Province and the People’s Committee of Phu Binh Commune, held a ceremony today to inaugurate the eight houses for disadvantaged households in Phu Binh whose homes were destroyed by severe weather last year.
The total amount donated by Dantri readers to support construction for the eight families was VND 558 million (approximately USD 21,500).
Speaking at the event, Dantri's Editor-in-Chief Pham Tuan Anh said that after a period of urgent construction, all eight houses had been completed with financial support from readers and contributions from local authorities, social organisations, military and police forces, donors and local residents.
“Every contribution, whether large or small, carries the spirit of solidarity and compassion,” he said.
He added that Dantri’s charity activities across many provinces not only helped specific families in hardship, but also spread kindness and encouraged the building of more social welfare projects nationwide.
On behalf of the editorial board, Pham Tuan Anh thanked provincial leaders, departments and local authorities in Thai Nguyen and Phu Binh for their continued support in helping Dantri carry out social welfare programmes.
He also expressed gratitude to readers in Vietnam and abroad whose donations had supported many families facing severe hardship.
At the ceremony, Nguyen Thi Trang, standing deputy secretary of the Party Committee of Phu Binh Commune, said that due to Typhoon Matmo and the heavy rain that followed last year, 16 families in the commune suffered serious housing damage.
She said Dantri had quickly helped spread information and mobilise resources to support eight of the affected households, helping them move into safer homes before this year’s rainy season.
“The solid houses these eight families receive today are not only safe shelters, but also a source of motivation for them to continue overcoming difficulties and rebuilding their lives after the disaster,” she said.
Nguyen Thi Hien, one of the eight beneficiaries, said her family was deeply grateful for the support from Thai Nguyen authorities, Phu Binh Commune, Dantri readers and donors across the country.
After her family’s story was published by Dantri, many donors reached out to help.
In total, her family received nearly VND 300 million (approximately USD 11,500) from provincial and commune authorities, Dantri readers and charitable donors.
She and her husband also borrowed additional money from relatives and the Social Policy Bank to build a solid 105-square-metre house with three bedrooms.
The house is now largely complete, bringing great joy to the family of five.
Other recipients, including Duong Thi Bo and Duong Van Tinh, also shared their emotion at being able to move into warm new homes built through the support of Dantri readers, donors and local authorities.
At the programme, Pham Tuan Anh, on behalf of readers, presented eight housewarming gifts of VND 1 million (approximately USD 38) in cash to each household.
Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, director of the Planning and Finance Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs, also gave each family a cookware set and VND 1 million in cash.
Representing the Thai Nguyen People’s Committee, vice chairwoman Nguyen Thi Loan presented each household with an additional housewarming gift.
The Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Phu Binh Commune also presented gifts to all eight families.
As part of the government’s campaign to eliminate temporary and unsafe housing, Dantri launched a programme aiming to build 200 charity homes for poor and near-poor households nationwide during 2024 and 2025.
Since April 2024, the newspaper has started construction on 255 charity houses, of which 237 have already been completed and handed over.
In addition to the housing programme, Dantri has also built 58 classrooms, 32 bridges and rural roads, and 50 floating houses for flood prevention.
It has organised 32 free medical consultation programmes for more than 6,000 people, donated 7,210 health insurance cards to disadvantaged students, and launched fundraising campaigns to support nearly 6,000 families facing severe hardship.
