Strengthening the Great National Unity Through Major Festivals

Since the beginning of November 2024, communities across the province have enthusiastically organized events celebrating the Great National Unity Festival. These events feature diverse and engaging activities, fostering a joyful and excited atmosphere while strengthening solidarity among the people.

In Chi Lang District, from November 2 to November 8, 2024, 16 residential areas in 16 communes and towns hosted the Great National Unity Festival. At the festival held on November 7 in Sao Hạ Hamlet, Mai Sao Commune, residents gathered to review the results of the "All People Unite to Build New Rural Areas and Civilized Urban Areas" campaign for 2024.

Notably, over the past year, the community united to construct 180 meters of concrete roads, contribute hundreds of volunteer workdays, and raise 90 million VND to build an 18-meter-long and 3.5-meter-wide bridge, enhancing travel convenience. Additionally, they repaired 3,000 meters of irrigation ditches to support agricultural watering and drainage. During the festival, residents discussed their achievements, openly addressed existing challenges, and proposed solutions for 2025.

Ms. Vi Thi Hoa, a resident of Sao Hạ Hamlet, shared:
"Participating in the festival, I felt so happy. Everyone contributed sincere suggestions to help our hamlet grow. We also celebrated together through various activities like cultural performances, bamboo dancing, and especially the Great Unity communal meal. This is a special occasion for villagers and those who live far away to reunite, share stories, reminisce about life and family, and collectively brainstorm ways to improve our hometown. It truly strengthens the bonds of community solidarity."

The province currently has 1,658 hamlets and residential groups. According to the plan, from the beginning of November to November 18, communities will host Great National Unity Festivals featuring a variety of vibrant and meaningful activities.

Specifically, the festival has two main parts: ceremony and festival. In which, the ceremony reviews the history and tradition of the 94th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam National United Front - Traditional Day of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (November 18, 1930 - November 18, 2024); evaluates the results of implementing campaigns and patriotic emulation movements in residential areas in 2024, emulation and reward work and launching movements in 2025. The festival organizes cultural, artistic, physical education, sports, traditional folk games; organizes humanitarian and charity activities, folk dance activities, outdoor health care activities...

Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee, shared: In accordance with Official Dispatch No. 9097, dated October 4, 2024, from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front regarding the organization of the Great National Unity Festival at residential areas in 2024, the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee issued a plan in mid-October 2024. The plan was sent to district, city, and grassroots-level Fatherland Front Committees to provide direction and guidance to residential areas for implementation.

To prepare for the festival, residential areas will invite representatives, including officials, all residents or household representatives, community members working away from home, and representatives from local agencies, organizations, businesses, and religious groups.

In border areas, especially those with sister village agreements with China, the residential areas will invite individuals and representatives from neighboring Chinese villages to attend. This ensures that the festival not only strengthens unity among local residents but also fosters stronger ties among organizations, individuals, and communities at hamlets and neighborhoods, as well as the friendly solidarity between residents on both sides of the border.

Based on the directives and guidance from higher authorities, residential areas prepare content to ensure the festival is conducted in a solemn and meaningful manner, truly becoming a celebration for all. A notable addition to this year’s event is the promotion of the resolutions of the Fatherland Front congresses at all levels and the 10th National Congress of the Fatherland Front of Vietnam for the 2024–2029 term. The festival also includes activities celebrating the Party congresses at all levels for the 2025–2030 term, as well as visits to and support for disadvantaged families affected by Typhoon Yagi.

A representative of the Fatherland Front Committee of a local commune shared that, following the city-level committee's plan, this year’s festival in their residential areas launched a program of "piggy bank savings" to fund projects and tasks in celebration of the Party congresses for the 2025–2030 term. The program is expected to continue until the end of the first quarter of 2025.

It is noteworthy that the Great National Unity Festival has been held across the province since 2003. While only 40% of residential areas participated in 2003, since 2016, 100% of residential areas have organized the festival, with over 90% hosting a communal Great Unity meal.

Through the festival, campaigns and patriotic emulation movements have increasingly spread, contributing significantly to transforming the appearance of residential areas. Since 2019, residents have contributed over 500 billion VND to new rural development, donated more than 1 million square meters of land, and provided nearly 800,000 days of labor to build public works. Additionally, agencies, businesses, and individuals have supported the construction and repair of over 330 Great Unity houses for poor households, near-poor households, and those in especially difficult circumstances.

It can be affirmed that the festival has played a vital role in strengthening the great national unity bloc, fostering the cultural and developmental progress of residential areas, while also contributing to economic development, maintaining political security, and ensuring social order and safety across the province.