The establishment of the Veterans Association of Son La province was an important milestone, in line with the aspirations and creating confidence and excitement for the veterans, officers and soldiers participating in the resistance war against French colonialism and American imperialism, in the war to protect the Fatherland and carry out international missions. April 12, 1990 became the Traditional Day of the Veterans Association of Son La province.

Over 35 years of construction and development, under the leadership and direction of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Veterans Association and the Provincial Party Committee, generations of provincial veterans have always maintained and promoted the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", united, strived to overcome difficulties and challenges, successfully completed all tasks, and built a clean and strong Association.

To date, the province has 13 association organizations, with 242 association bases, and a total of 44,068 members. Associations at all levels regularly disseminate and mobilize members to maintain political will, comply with the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws, and promote the study and following of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle. By effectively implementing the patriotic emulation movements of "Exemplary Veterans", many cadres and members have become shining examples and advanced models.

Implementing the coordinated program "Strengthening the training of revolutionary ideals, accompanying young people to establish their careers, build their own businesses, and take the initiative in building and defending the Fatherland", the association at all levels has actively participated in educating and training the tradition of patriotism and revolutionary heroism for the young generation. Advising local Party committees and authorities on directing the building of the Youth Union according to the motto "Where there is a Youth Union, there is the role of war veterans, where there are war veterans, there is no weak Youth Union"; participating in training thousands of outstanding union members, introducing them to the Party.

The War Veterans Movement promotes the spirit of self-reliance, self-improvement, helping each other develop the economy, improve living standards, reduce poverty sustainably, get rich legally; participate in local socio-economic development, and has been effectively implemented. The Association at all levels has guided and facilitated 28,851 cadres and members to borrow preferential loans from the Bank for Social Policies, with a total outstanding loan of over 1,600 billion VND, thereby creating jobs, increasing income, improving living standards, and many poor member households have risen out of poverty.

The whole province has 2,541 business models, cooperatives, farms, and family farms owned by war veterans, creating jobs for more than 30,000 workers who are war veterans, their children, and the people. Many economic models of members have an income of 100-300 million VND/year, especially households with an income of more than 1 billion VND/year. There are 1,009 members recognized as good war veterans in production and business at all levels. The rate of poor households in the whole association has decreased from 8.75% (in 2019) to 6.43% (in 2024); the number of well-off and rich member households is over 57%. In addition, the War Veterans Association of communes has received protection and care for 18,360 hectares of forest, planted nearly 2,000 hectares of forest, and reforested bare land and hills.

Implementing Decision No. 22/2013/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister and Resolution No. 63/NQ-CP of the Government on supporting people with revolutionary contributions facing housing difficulties; accompanying the province's programs to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses, by March 2025, the Provincial Association of War Veterans had mobilized, called for, and raised over 48 billion VND, supporting the elimination of 993 temporary and dilapidated houses for War Veterans Association members.

At the same time, focus on doing well the military rear work, contributing to building gratitude houses, gratitude gardens, helping families with meritorious services in trouble and participating in social activities at the local and grassroots levels. Carrying out the task of helping communes in the region III with special difficulties, the Provincial Veterans Association has coordinated and consulted with the Party Committees and authorities of To Mua and Suoi Bang communes, Van Ho district; Xim Vang commune, Bac Yen district, to implement many programs for economic development, new rural construction, and sustainable poverty reduction.

In recognition of its contributions, over the past 35 years, the Provincial Veterans Association has been honored to receive the First, Second and Third Class Labor Medals from the Party and State. The Lao People's Democratic Republic has awarded the Third Class Labor Medal. The Prime Minister has awarded the Excellent Emulation Flag and 8 Certificates of Merit to collectives and individuals. The Central Committee of the Vietnam Veterans Association and the Provincial People's Committee have awarded 32 emulation flags; 342 Certificates of Merit to collectives and individuals.

Faced with the requirements of revolutionary tasks in the new period, implementing the slogan: "Loyalty - Solidarity - Exemplary - Innovation", cadres and members of the Association of War Veterans of Son La province unite, focus on building a strong association in terms of politics, ideology and organization; continue to innovate content and methods, improve the quality and efficiency of operations. Strengthen inspection and supervision; innovate emulation and reward work; build and expand typical advanced collectives and individuals, good models, creative and effective activities.

Regularly do well in political and ideological education; thoroughly grasp the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws; maintain the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", effectively carry out the patriotic emulation movement "Exemplary veterans". Participate in building and protecting the Party, the State, the people, and the socialist regime.

Caring for material and spiritual life, ensuring policies and regimes, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of cadres and members. Promoting the spirit of self-reliance, helping each other to develop the economy, improve living standards; sustainable poverty reduction, legal enrichment and actively participating in local economic development and new rural construction programs.

Organize well the activities to educate the young generation about the tradition of patriotism and revolutionary heroism. Propaganda and mobilize people to participate in the movement "All people unite to build a cultural life in residential areas", associated with the campaign "All people unite to build new rural areas and civilized urban areas".

Continue to develop solidarity, friendship and cooperation with the Lao National Veterans Association in general and the Veterans Associations of Lao provinces in particular, contributing to maintaining stability of the border and landmarks and fostering solidarity and friendship between Son La and Lao provinces.

Some pictures of activities of the Provincial Veterans Association

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/phat-huy-pham-chat-bo-doi-cu-ho-xay-dung-to-chuc-hoi-vung-manh-XyXnqa0HR.html