Overview of the Conference on Reviewing implementation  for Revolutionary Contributors working

Reports show that in 2024, the Department of Revolutionary Contributors, within assigned functions and tasks, submitted proposals to the Ministry and issued documents to guide localities and provincial Departments of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs. These documents ensured the timely, effective, and transparent implementation of preferential policies for revolutionary contributors.

Key Outcomes in 2024

Recognition of Revolutionary Contributors

Under the Ordinance on Preferences for Revolutionary Contributors and related decrees, by December 20, 2024, the Department of Revolutionary Contributors reviewed and submitted to the Ministry for the Prime Minister’s approval the recognition of 348 martyrs and reissuance of 13,314 "Certificate of National Recognition of Sacrifice." Additionally, the Department processed 36 cases of re-evaluation for wounds related to recurring injuries among wounded soldiers.

Identification of Martyrs’ Remains

To address unidentified martyrs' remains, the Department collaborated with the Ministry of Public Security to establish a DNA database for unidentified martyrs and their relatives. By December 20, 2024, 2,083 sets of martyrs’ remains and 303 biological samples from relatives were received for DNA analysis. Results included five accurate identifications, six incorrect samples, and ten samples unsuitable for DNA testing. The identity of 442 martyrs was confirmed through other methods.

Welfare for Revolutionary Contributors

Localities disbursed monthly preferential allowances to nearly 1.1 million revolutionary contributors and their relatives. A significant adjustment was the increase in the base allowance for revolutionary contributors from 2,055,000 VND to 2,789,000 VND (up 35.7%), as per Decree No. 77/2024/ND-CP issued on July 1, 2024. This adjustment improved the living standards of contributors and their families.

Social Contributions for Revolutionary Contributors

Efforts to mobilize social resources for caring for revolutionary contributors were also prioritized. Through the Gratitude Fund at all levels, over 610 billion VND was raised to build nearly 4,000 new "gratitude houses" and repair around 3,400, costing over 338 billion VND. More than 6,400 savings books worth over 15 billion VND were presented. Currently, 2,412 Vietnamese Heroic Mothers are being cared for and supported for life.

Directions for 2025

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs Nguyễn Bá Hoan emphasized that in 2024, the institutional framework for preferential policies for revolutionary contributors was further enhanced. Newly issued documents continued to institutionalize the Party’s policies on preferential treatment, notably Directive No. 14-CT/TW (July 19, 2017) of the Secretariat, which stresses strengthening Party leadership on revolutionary contributors.

Key Focus Areas for 2025

• Improving Policy Implementation: Complete and enhance the effectiveness of legal policies for revolutionary contributors by identifying and resolving legal overlaps and ambiguities. Submit proposals to the Prime Minister for raising allowances for youth volunteers.
• Timely and Transparent Implementation: Ensure full, timely, and effective implementation of policies with transparency. Address violations or abuses of policies to protect the rights of revolutionary contributors.
• Strengthening Public Awareness: Intensify communication, education, and dissemination of policies and laws for revolutionary contributors.
• Enhancing Support Measures: Expand socialized resources for housing and welfare initiatives for contributors and strengthen the mechanisms for recognition and preferential treatment.

These measures aim to ensure revolutionary contributors and their families are provided the recognition and support they deserve, contributing to sustainable social welfare.

To effectively implement policies for people with meritorious contributions, it is essential to focus on the following key tasks in the upcoming period:

1. Strengthening Propaganda Efforts and Raising Awareness:
   Intensify public awareness campaigns to highlight the immense sacrifices and contributions of those who have served the revolutionary cause. Through commemorative activities, expressions of gratitude, and care for heroes, martyrs, wounded and sick soldiers, and policy families, foster patriotism, national solidarity, personal responsibility toward history, and the aspirations of youth to serve the nation.
   Propaganda should be conducted regularly and innovatively, utilizing diverse forms such as artistic programs, cultural and musical events, writing, drawing, photography contests, art exhibitions, creative works, and online quizzes on the theme of “Gratitude and Remembrance.” Recently, various activities commemorating War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day have gained widespread traction within communities, such as the “75 Years of Gratitude” exhibition by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; the “Understanding the History and Significance of July 27 - War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day” contest launched by the Central Party Office’s Youth Union; the “Gratitude - Remembrance” photo contest by Thanh Hoa’s Radio and Television Station and Literature and Arts Association; the journalism contest on “Gratitude” by the Bac Giang Journalists’ Association and Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs; and the writing contest “Outstanding Contributors and Gratitude Efforts” by Quang Tri Newspaper and the provincial Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

2. Enhancing and Modernizing Policies for Meritorious Contributors:
   Continuously refine the mechanisms, policies, and legal frameworks for meritorious contributors toward a modern, comprehensive, and inclusive approach. Policies must align with other social policies to ensure harmony, fairness, and social welfare, ultimately improving the material and spiritual well-being of revolutionary families and dependents. Special attention should be given to families facing difficult circumstances, individuals living alone without support, and those in ethnic minority, remote, or rural areas.

3. Resolving Outstanding Issues Transparently and Effectively:
   Address existing challenges and issues related to policies for meritorious contributors with objectivity, fairness, and transparency. Leverage the advancements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to manage databases, images, and memorabilia of heroes, martyrs, and wounded soldiers, and to conduct DNA identification for unidentified martyrs. Promote these policies and their humane messages via television, radio, and digital platforms.
   Expand and develop interactive channels for sharing and accessing information about martyrs and their burial sites. For instance, in addition to the website created by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs in collaboration with the Marin Center (a center for consulting and assisting families of martyrs), several provinces have launched online platforms. Nghệ An Province has developed the website ngheantimdongdoi.gov.vn, stemming from the project “Applying Information Technology to Search and Manage Information about Soldiers and Youth Volunteers Sacrificed during the Resistance War against the U.S. in Nghệ An Province.” This platform allows citizens to directly contribute information about martyrs and their burial sites.
   Furthermore, it is crucial to promptly detect and prevent exploitation of policy loopholes, such as falsifying documents and medical records for personal gain, or engaging in superstitions during martyr information searches, thereby strengthening public trust.

4. Enhancing Facilities and Memorial Spaces:
   Authorities at all levels must plan effectively and allocate necessary land to expand spaces for martyrs' cemeteries and memorial areas. Allocate adequate funding to maintain, restore, and renovate cemeteries and monuments honoring heroes and martyrs. Ensure that these spaces are dignified, clean, and sacred, transforming them into “red addresses” for educating future generations about historical and revolutionary traditions.
   Besides state funding, prioritize socialization policies to mobilize contributions from individuals, organizations, and businesses. These efforts should ensure the successful implementation of gratitude policies and the construction of meaningful projects to honor those who dedicated and sacrificed their lives for the nation’s independence, freedom, and the people’s happiness.