Son La province has completed the demolition of temporary and dilapidated houses 169 days ahead of the deadline set by the Government. Photo: ND

To implement the movement to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses, Son La province established a Provincial Steering Committee, proactively allocated local budget funds, and maximized support from the central government; integrated the program to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses with other national target programs; and mobilized the participation and support of the police, military, people, and businesses to accelerate the construction progress of projects.

From the beginning of 2025 to the present, the entire province has completed the elimination of temporary and dilapidated houses for 3,058 households, achieving 100% of the plan; including the construction of 2,653 new houses and the repair of 405 houses, with a total expenditure of over 171 billion VND; the progress is 169 days ahead of the deadline stipulated by the Government (October 31, 2025).

According to the Steering Committee for the implementation of the elimination of temporary and dilapidated houses in Son La province, in response to the "Joining hands to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses" emulation movement launched by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 539/QD-TTg dated June 19, 2024, Son La has identified this as one of the key, urgent, and socially significant political tasks since the beginning of 2025.

Based on that, the action plan was promptly issued by Son La province, the Steering Committees at all levels from the province to the grassroots were strengthened, and the criteria for selecting beneficiaries were made public and transparent to every village and residential area. Son La province established 11 working groups to directly inspect and supervise in 10 districts and cities, assessing the leadership, direction, and implementation of the program to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses.

Through a review, Son La province has 3,058 households in need of assistance to replace temporary or dilapidated houses, including 2,653 new houses and 405 houses requiring repairs. Of these, 200 belong to families of war veterans and martyrs, 314 are covered by the National Target Program, and the remainder are poor and near-poor households with particularly difficult circumstances in remote areas and ethnic minority communities.

The total funding required to implement the program is over 171 billion VND; the total funds mobilized for implementation reached over 210 billion VND, with Dong Nai province alone contributing 111 billion VND. Besides financial resources, over 62,000 man-days of labor from the armed forces, mass organizations, local officials, and residents contributed to accelerating construction progress, reducing costs, and spreading the spirit of "the State and the People working together."

As of May 15, 2025, all 3,058 houses have been completed, exceeding the initial plan by 221 houses. With this result, Son La province has reached its target ahead of schedule.

The houses built with support meet the "three sturdy" standards (sturdy frame, sturdy walls, sturdy roof), avoiding the use of temporary, flammable, or easily damaged materials, ensuring safety during use and suitability for the mountainous climate and terrain. These new homes not only replace dilapidated, rickety shacks but also inspire a desire for stable housing and employment, opening up hope for a more stable and sustainable life for the people.

Mr. Hoang Quoc Khanh, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Steering Committee for the implementation of the program to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses in Son La province, said that the achievements in eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses are due to the attention and assistance of central ministries and agencies, especially the Ministry of Ethnic Minorities and Religion and neighboring provinces; and especially the noble gestures and compassionate hearts of officials, Party members, the people, philanthropists, corporations, and businesses inside and outside the province who have actively responded and effectively implemented the program, contributing to the province's efforts to complete the elimination of temporary and dilapidated houses.

The Secretary of the Son La Provincial Party Committee also requested that Party committees, government agencies, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and political and social organizations in the province continue to promote the dissemination of information to organizations, individuals, businesses, and the people about the content, purpose, meaning, and humanitarian nature of the movement to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses, creating a widespread impact to mobilize all resources from society, along with state resources, to support poor households, near-poor households, and policy beneficiary families to rise out of poverty and stabilize their lives.

Son La Provincial Party Secretary Hoang Quoc Khanh requested that in the coming period, it is necessary to continue reviewing and assessing the current housing situation to evaluate the accessibility of housing for different target groups as a basis for building and adjusting housing development plans; and to develop housing support programs that closely match actual needs.

Focus on mobilizing resources for implementation, combining efforts between the State and the people; strengthen housing support for poor households, near-poor households, households of people with meritorious services to the revolution, and relatives of martyrs through socialized capital; establish a fair and transparent budget allocation mechanism, creating conditions for localities to proactively mobilize local resources as well as integrate with other resources, contributing to improving the effectiveness of the program.

For households that have received support to replace temporary or dilapidated houses, Party committees and authorities at all levels need to regularly disseminate information to raise awareness, inspire self-reliance, and avoid a mentality of waiting and relying on others; they should also promptly encourage and guide these families in living, protecting, and using their houses effectively and sustainably.

The success in eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses is not just about numbers, but a profound expression of the spirit of national unity, the tradition of mutual support and compassion, and the inherent humanity of our regime. It's a beginning, but not the end. New houses have sprung up, but the journey of building a future for these households still has many issues that need attention: from "settling down" to "finding a livelihood"; from a roof over one's head to a sustainable income.