Milestones in the 80-year journey of Thanh Hoa Trade Union

From 2,051 union members to a strong Trade Union organization

October 10, 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Thanh Hoa Provincial Trade Union (October 10, 1946 - October 10, 2026).

According to documents of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Trade Union, before its establishment, on July 28, 1929, the Bac Ky Red General Confederation was established; on July 20, 1946, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor was established.

By September 1946, Thanh Hoa had 2,051 union members. On October 10, 1946, the Conference of delegates of grassroots trade unions throughout the province was held, becoming a milestone in the establishment of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Labor Federation.

In the period 1946-1954, the Trade Union organization gradually matured during the resistance war. In December 1948, the first Provincial Trade Union Congress was held with 160 delegates, representing more than 10,000 union members. By the end of 1950, the whole province had over 15,000 union members.

During the years of resistance against French colonialism, Thanh Hoa workers and laborers actively participated in emulation movements serving the front lines. In the Dien Bien Phu campaign, there was a bicycle carrying trip with a weight of 335kg.

The period 1954-1975 marked the movement of both production and combat. On July 19, 1960, President Ho Chi Minh attended the 6th Thanh Hoa Trade Union Congress.

The emulation movements "Fast, lots, good, cheap", "Hand-hammer, hand-gun", "Silient hand-hammer, firm hand-gun" were widely launched. From 1965-1968, about 20,000 Thanh Hoa youth workers enlisted.

After the country's reunification, the initiative movement among workers developed strongly. On November 7, 1977, the 11th Provincial Trade Union Congress was held. The movement "One worker, one initiative" created a spreading effect, especially in the period 1979-1983, there were 35,736 initiatives and 645 research topics.

In early 1985, Thanh Hoa Trade Union had 150,786 union members, operating in 1,233 grassroots trade unions.

Innovating operations, strongly focusing on grassroots levels

The renovation period continued to create important milestones. From August 29-31, 1988, the 13th Provincial Trade Union Congress took place. Also in 1988, the organization was renamed Thanh Hoa Labor Federation.

The congresses in 1993 and 1998 continued to define the motto of strongly focusing on grassroots levels. In 1999, workers and laborers throughout the province implemented 91 projects, 349 initiatives and 528 topics.

In the period 2000-2010, the 14th and 17th Congresses in 2003 and 2008 continued to innovate the content and methods of operation. In 2005, the whole province had 2,060 grassroots trade unions with 80,175 union members.

In the period 2000-2010, Thanh Hoa Trade Union was awarded the First-class Independence Medal.

From 2011-2023, Trade Union activities became increasingly focused on union members and workers, with dialogue and negotiation activities, "Workers' Month", "Trade Union Shelter", accompanying and supporting union members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the period 2018-2023, the whole province established 498 grassroots trade unions outside the state sector, and newly admitted more than 112,000 union members. In 2022, Thanh Hoa Trade Union for the first time led the nation in union member development.

In the period 2023-2025, 19/20 targets were achieved and exceeded the plan. Trade union levels have cared for over 1.19 million union members and workers with a total value of 850.9 billion VND.

During this time, the whole province admitted 79,761 new union members, established 362 grassroots trade unions and 49 grassroots trade unions. The initiative movement recorded 600,175 initiatives, leading the country.

Entering the 2025-2030 period, Thanh Hoa Trade Union continues to innovate its organizational model. On June 25, 2025, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province was established; on July 3, 2025, 41 commune and ward trade unions were established.

On December 21-22, 2025, the 21st Thanh Hoa Provincial Trade Union Congress will be held, with the orientation of deploying the movement "5 pioneers, 5 companions".

According to Dr. Luong Trong Thanh - Member of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial Labor Federation, towards the 80-year milestone of establishment, Thanh Hoa Trade Union sets a target to have over 1,000 grassroots trade unions, 100 legal advisory groups and 30 "Workers' Cultural Spaces" by October 10, 2026.

From 2,051 union members in September 1946, the 80-year journey of Thanh Hoa Trade Union is associated with each historical period, from resistance war, national construction to renovation, industrialization and increasingly practical care for union members and workers.

In particular, Thanh Hoa Trade Union is making efforts to pioneer in participating in Party development in enterprises with the motto of linking Party development with improving skills, labor productivity, and income for workers and laborers.

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