Vietnamese village chief takes hands-on approach to community improvements

In Tiến Lộc village, located in Triệu Lộc commune, Thanh Hóa province, Vietnam, the young village chief Nguyễn Văn Vũ is leading by example. At just 31 years old, Vũ has taken on the responsibility of improving his community, demonstrating a proactive and hands-on approach to development.

Early in August 2026, Vũ was seen climbing utility poles to string wires and install light bulbs for a new road lighting project. This initiative aims to make travel more convenient for residents. With years of experience in electrical installation and repair, Vũ is personally handling the electrical work for the nearly 1-kilometer road lighting system, free of charge. This not only speeds up the project but also significantly reduces costs for the villagers.

By August 12, the 1 km road connecting the old Bùi and Thị Trang villages (now merged into Tiến Lộc) had its lighting system completed, thanks to the efforts of the young chief and village security forces. This improvement facilitates easier movement for the local population.

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As soon as I took office, the first thing I did was review and understand all the issues the people are concerned about, especially long-standing problems, to find solutions that satisfy the community.

Nguyễn Văn Vũ, who was selected as village chief on July 1, brings a youthful spirit, a pioneering mindset, and familiarity with information technology, which were hoped to streamline village affairs. However, the challenges of a newly formed village presented significant hurdles. "As soon as I took office, the first thing I did was review and understand all the issues the people are concerned about, especially long-standing problems, to find solutions that satisfy the community," Vũ stated. He identified pressing needs such as deteriorating road conditions, lack of lighting, and outstanding debts for the community house.

To address these issues, Vũ sought approval from the commune People's Committee and village officials. He then organized a campaign to solicit donations from benefactors, raising over 60 million Vietnamese dong for the road lighting project and repairs to damaged road sections. To further save money, Vũ decided to act as the electrician himself, utilizing his "side job" experience. The sight of the young village chief scaling utility poles to install lights for the community is a rare but inspiring image.

Beyond the lighting project, Vũ has also been actively engaging residents to donate land for utility poles, allowing for road expansion. His dedication and commitment to "saying and doing" have dispelled initial doubts and fostered a strong sense of unity within the village. Vũ has not shied away from difficult tasks, embracing the complexities of village administration after transitioning from his previous role in youth union work.

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saying and doing