Spreading patriotism and aspiration to rise up

That is the call of President Ho Chi Minh in the "Call for Patriotic Emulation" issued 77 years ago. The writer: The fate of the Vietnamese people, any soldier, farmer, meritorious Artist, wounded soldier; any job, they need to compete: Do it quickly. Do it well. Make a lot. Every Vietnamese person, any old, young, male or female; any rich, poor, large or small, needs to become a soldier fighting on the front: Military, economic, political, cultural".

Uncle Ho's simple but profound calls have become a strong driving force to promote the revolutionary cause, creating a great source of motivation to help improve labor productivity, promote economic and social development, and strengthen national defense and security. After more than 77 years of launching, the patriotic emulation movement has proven its value and important role in the cause of protecting and developing the country.

The 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress will be held on December 26 and 27. The Organizing Committee informed the total number of delegates attending the congress, which is 2,223 delegates, including 198 invited delegates and 2,025 official delegates; established into 105 delegation groups.

The largest proportion with 1,326 delegates are outstanding advanced examples in the patriotic emulation movement, mainly direct workers in the fields of economy, culture, society, national defense, security of ministries, departments, branches, central organizations...

Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee, Head of the Propaganda Subcommittee of the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress - Pham Tat Thang said: "The results of emulation movements have helped the country complete the socio-economic development targets.

The focus of the propaganda work is to highlight the examples of Heroes of Labor, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces and advanced models. These are vivid examples that need to be widely disseminated and spread.

The Congress honors collectives of good production workers, Heroes of Labor, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Emulation Fighters of the whole country as well as typical individuals. Especially the examples of people who are direct production workers, ordinary people but have heroic actions, people with outstanding achievements in their work".

One of the examples honored at this Congress is Labor Hero Mai Duc Chung - an example of dedication and dedication to the Fatherland in the role of Head Coach of the National Women's Football Team.

Coach Mai Duc Chung was born in 1951. Up to now, this "thirties-year-old coach" has not lost his enthusiasm for the country's sports and football. At the 33rd SEA Games held in Thailand, the image of teacher Mai Duc Chung on the coaching bench was the clearest proof of the tireless working spirit.

At the 2025 "Vinh Quang Vietnam" program with the theme "Pride and Aspiration" organized by "Lao Dong Newspaper, coach Mai Duc Chung was one of 6 outstanding individuals honored.

Confiding with Lao Dong Newspaper after the honoring ceremony, coach Mai Duc Chung shared: I have spent more than 40 years of my career, from being a player to a coach. As a player, I also experienced many important milestones, as a player honored to compete in the North-South summit in 1976 to celebrate the country's reunification of the two regions, I also experienced many matches in many memorable domestic and international tournaments... But I chose and was the biggest turning point in my career when I started to hold the position of head coach of the National Women's Football Team since 1997.

It is also rare for me to hold the position of coach in both the men's and women's national teams. World football is probably too small. Sometimes, many people even find it... curious and funny, when I do that! But I don't mind.

Throughout my career, I have repeated a sentence, I am a Party member - I am ready to accept all tasks, in any task I do my best, full responsibility assigned to me. Until now, I still hold that view firm.

The noble title of Labor Hero that the State awarded to the old teacher Mai Duc Chung is completely deserved.

The passion for patriotic emulation not only comes from individuals with long-term and persistent contributions such as coach Mai Duc Chung or former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh but also shines from young people.

Among the youngest delegates attending the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress is Lu Hoai Thuong (11 years old), a student of class 6A8, Nguyen Chi Thanh Secondary School, Dong Thap province. 3 years ago, Lao Dong Newspaper published an article about the impressive journey of the boy Lu Hoai Thuong - considered the "childhood" of Dong Thap pink lotus - who had just finished 5th grade at the age of 8, while his peers had only finished 2nd grade.

Hoai Thuong's mother shared that when the child was 4 years old, his ability to read Vietnamese, English and learn Math was very good. Having only studied for 1 week, I have understood all the subjects. Through observation, the child's education level exceeded grade 1 and grade 2, so the family had a discussion with the school to request an application for the child to study beyond grade.

Mr. Le Huu Hien - Principal of Ngo Thi Nham Primary School (Dong Thap) shared: In 2020, when Thuong was in first grade at school, he knew how to read, write and calculate. The school has studied the document of being over the primary level and established a Competency Assessment Council to consider allowing students to pass grade 3. He completed all the competency assessment tests according to grade 1, grade 2 and semester I grade 3 with 3 subjects: Vietnamese, Math and English. The school has completed the application to the leaders of the Department of Education and Training of Cao Lanh City and has been approved for children to study beyond grade 2.

Along with Hoai Thuong, there are 4 other young delegates (all 11 years old) attending the Congress, including students Luu Phuc An (class 6A3, An Thoi Secondary School, Can Tho City); Mai Duc Ninh (class 6E, Nguyen Trai Secondary School, Ha Tinh Province); Ngo Quynh Chi (class 6A, Chua Hang 2 Secondary School, Thai Nguyen Province); Hoang Minh Khue (class 6A1, Quang Giang Secondary School, Cao Bang Province)...

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In each revolutionary stage, President Ho Chi Minh always paid attention to directing the patriotic emulation movement in line with the revolutionary tasks of each period. He also policies a variety of forms of emulation and reward to commend and replicate typical examples.

He said: "The number of people and groups recognized as heroes and emulation fighters awarded Medals and Medals is still only a small number compared to millions, tens of millions of people who contribute to making a storm every day, carrying everything for the country, the family... called good people doing good deeds".

After nearly 40 years of renovation, the patriotic emulation movement is still constantly developing and innovating. The "Emulation of Victory" movement in the army, "All people protect national security" in the police, or "Good farmers in production and business" in the Vietnam Farmers' Association have achieved great results. These movements not only contribute to economic development but also deepen the spirit of patriotism and solidarity of all people in the cause of national construction.

Especially emulation movements launched by the Trade Union organization. In the period of 2021 - 2025, and especially in 2025, the Vietnam Trade Union has played an extremely important role in arousing a strong competitive spirit among workers and laborers across the country. Trade unions are not only a bridge between workers and enterprises but also a strong driving force to promote creativity and dedication of workers, contributing to building a strong and prosperous economy.

In 2025, emulation movements launched by the Trade Union have created a vibrant, energetic wave in the working community. Responding to this competitive spirit, more than 186,000 initiatives have been implemented, bringing a total profit of VND 17,503 billion, improving labor productivity and work efficiency. These initiatives are not only the result of labor efforts but also practical contributions, creating a foundation for the sustainable development of society, while contributing to major events such as Party Congresses at all levels and the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress.

Emulation and reward work in the period of 2020 - 2025 has had clear changes, from formal movements to practical activities, for the benefit and rights of workers. In 2025, the " Glory of Vietnam" program honored outstanding individuals and groups, setting an example in emulation work, demonstrating a sense of responsibility and dedication to the common cause. At the same time, the "Outstanding Enterprises for Workers" program also recognizes pioneering enterprises in welfare care and building a safe and healthy working environment.

Emulation movements such as "Good workers - Creative workers", "Green - Clean - Beautiful, ensuring occupational safety and hygiene" not only attract a large number of workers to participate but also increase work quality, product quality and work efficiency. Along with that, the National Creative Labor Festival in 2025 has become an important event, where the intelligence and creativity of workers are honored, demonstrating the strength of the working group in the cause of national development.

In the context of the country developing strongly, towards an industrialized, modernized and internationally integrated society, the role of the Trade Union is becoming more important than ever. The trade union is not only a unit that protects the rights of workers but also a companion to help them overcome challenges, inspire creativity and improve labor productivity. Trade unions are an important factor in helping to maintain stability in the working environment, promoting the sustainable development of society.

With the theme "Emulation for innovation, creativity, accelerating breakthroughs to bring the country into an era of strong, civilized and prosperous development" in the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, the Vietnam Trade Union will continue to work with workers to reach new successes. In the context of the 4.0 industrial revolution and digital transformation, the Trade Union will continue to be a strong source of motivation, promoting the spirit of creative labor emulation and improving productivity and work efficiency.

Looking back on the more than 77-year development journey of the patriotic emulation movement, it can be affirmed that the emulation movement has become an indispensable part of the country's development. Effectively organized and led, emulation movements have promoted the strength of national solidarity, aroused patriotism, aspiration to rise up and made great contributions to the cause of building and defending the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam.

The 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress is not only a place to honor advanced models but also continues to affirm itself as a place to converge, spread patriotism, the will to rise up, and the aspiration to contribute of the entire nation; arouse the strength of the great national unity bloc, combine internal strength with external strength, the strength of the nation and the strength of the times, the strength of the State with the strength of the people; open a new emulation period, bringing the country to develop richly, prosperously, civilizedly, and happily.

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