Warm homes for comrades
With support from comrades and the community, dilapidated homes of Hai Phong veterans have been repaired or rebuilt, helping them ease hardships.
More homes
The home of Nguyen Trong Quan, a veteran in An Son Village, Bac Thanh Mien Commune, Hai Phong City used to be a source of concern for his family whenever heavy rain fell. The walls and roof deteriorated and leaked, and the floor subsided, but financial difficulties repeatedly forced the family to put off repairs.
In late August 2026, the house was repaired at a total cost of more than VND 105 million. The City Confederation of Labor provided VND 50 million, while the Commune Veterans’ Association, organizations, members, and the family contributed money, materials and labor.
When the house was completed, Quan was deeply moved by the support of his comrades. “I am very happy, but what touches me most is that my comrades still remember me. The house has been repaired, but more importantly, I feel that the bond among comrades remains intact after all these years,” said Quan.
In My Dong Village, Nam Thanh Mien Commune, veteran Bui Van Cu has also recently received support to repair his home. His wife has passed away, his two children are still struggling, and he is frequently ill and no longer able to work. The long-deteriorated house had added to his worries.
In July 2026, the house was repaired with a budget of more than VND 291 million. The City Confederation of Labor offered VND 50 million, while the remainder came from the Veterans’ Association, local authorities, the local veterans' chapter and the family.
Each home has its own circumstances and requires different levels of funding, but they share one thing: whenever a veteran faces housing difficulties, those who once wore the same military uniform come together to lend a hand.
Extending the bond among comrades
Beyond repairs, some particularly difficult cases have received support to build new homes, including Vu Truong Khai, a 1/4-rated wounded veteran in La Xa Village, Nguyen Luong Bang Commune. After living for many years in a deteriorating one-story house, he struggled to afford a new home.
After about five months of construction, a new 75-m2 house was completed. The General Department of Logistics and Engineering provided VND 80 million; the Veterans’ Association of the city's Party agencies presented VND 5 million; and local authorities and Veterans’ Association offered additional support. Family members, veterans and members of the Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin also contributed money and labor to help complete the house.
According to Colonel Dinh Van Truy, Chairman of the Hai Phong Veterans’ Association, its chapters at all levels have so far supported the construction and repair of 17 “Comradeship” homes for members facing hardship. By the end of the year, the association aims to support three more, bringing the total to 20 homes, with assistance ranging from VND 30 million to VND 60 million per home.
“We see supporting Comradeship homes not only as helping a family secure a safe place to live, but also as a responsibility and an expression of our bond with fellow comrades,” said Colonel Dinh Van Truy.
To help complete the homes, Veterans’ Associations at all levels have worked to mobilize resources from various sources. In addition to direct financial support, localities have persuaded association members, mass organizations, families and relatives to contribute in various ways. In some cases, veterans themselves have contributed labor, helping families further reduce construction and repair costs.
For those who have lived through war and are now in old age, a safe home can ease some of life's worries. For those who provide support, each completed home is also a practical way to preserve the bonds among people who once wore the same military uniform.
KIM GIANG