Golden harvests of solidarity in Vietnam's coastal commune

In the coastal commune of Vĩnh Hoàng, Quảng Trị province, a heartwarming tradition thrives: women's union members rally to support neighbors facing hardship during crucial harvest seasons. When a family member falls ill, a death occurs, or an emergency strikes during peak harvest times, a simple call is enough to mobilize dozens of women.

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When a family member falls ill, has an accident, or is busy with funeral arrangements during the harvest season, just one notification is enough for dozens of women members in Vĩnh Hoàng commune to go down to the fields to help harvest rice, dig sweet potatoes, and pick pepper so that their neighbors can overcome difficulties.

These women set aside their own work to help with rice, sweet potato, and pepper harvests, ensuring their neighbors can overcome difficulties and secure a complete yield. This spirit of mutual aid has become a deeply ingrained practice, particularly after the recent merger of four coastal communes into one administrative unit.

Nguyễn Thị Loạn, head of the Phường Duyệt village women's union chapter with 186 members, explained that mutual support in production has become a routine. Information is shared via a communication group, and members readily arrange their schedules to assist those in need. She recalled the case of Võ Văn Phong, whose mother passed away just as his rice crop was ready for harvest. Over 40 women and villagers helped him harvest six sao of rice, preventing potential loss from the crop lodging.

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In recent years, mutual support in production has become a familiar practice for our members. Whenever a member faces a special circumstance, the information is shared through the chapter's communication group, and everyone is willing to arrange their personal affairs to lend a hand.

This mutual support also serves as a vital safety net for families with chronically ill members. Nguyễn Thị Duyên's husband required treatment in Huế city, coinciding with her urgent sweet potato harvest. Within a single morning, about 40 women helped her dig, bundle, and transport the crop. Similarly, Trần Thị Quý received help from 30 women to harvest 150kg of pepper while she cared for her sick husband in Huế.

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My family is truly very touched.

Bà Nguyễn Thị Hải, Chairwoman of the Vĩnh Hoàng Commune Women's Union, highlighted how this solidarity and sharing have strengthened community cohesion post-consolidation. The initiative has encouraged greater participation from members who previously engaged less in collective activities. Amidst modern life, these scenes of dozens of people working together in the fields continue to unfold in Vĩnh Hoàng, embodying a genuine spirit of sharing that creates bountiful harvests and ensures no one faces hardship alone.

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The spirit of solidarity and sharing has contributed to strengthening community bonds after the merger.