Even now, many officials and residents of Dan Phuong District, Hanoi, still remember General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's warm and friendly demeanor as he chatted with locals during the National Great Unity Day in Song Phuong Commune nine years ago.

The Party Chief and locals at Thap Thuong Village, Song Phuong Commune, Dan Phuong District, Hanoi on November 15, 2015. Source: VNA

On the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam United National Front (November 18, 1930 – November 18, 2015), General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong attended the National Great Unity Day with residents of Thap Thuong Village, Song Phuong Commune, Dan Phuong District, Hanoi, on November 15, 2015.

During his visit, the Party Chief expressed his joy over the significant developments in his hometown, Dan Phuong, and specifically in Thap Thuong Village.

He fondly recalled his days as a journalist in the 1970s, when he visited Dan Phuong to write articles. At that time, Dan Phuong had no formal offices, and the local diet consisted mostly of cassava with little rice. However, during this visit for the National Great Unity Day, he observed remarkable improvements: new district offices, thriving and beautiful villages, and improved living standards for the residents. He attributed these positive changes to the community's solidarity and collective efforts under the leadership of the local Party and government.

Quoting President Ho Chi Minh’s words, “Unity, unity, great unity. Success, success, great success,” Trong emphasized the crucial role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in fostering national unity. He highlighted various patriotic movements and campaigns initiated by the Front, such as "All People Unite to Build Cultural Life in Residential Areas," "Day for the Poor," and "All People Unite to Build New Rural Areas and Civilized Urban Areas." These initiatives have played a central role in uniting people across the country.

Trong expressed his hope that with the people's trust in the Party and the regime, along with the right directions set by the central, city, and district authorities, Song Phuong Commune would continue to build on its traditions and experiences to achieve the goals and tasks set, making the homeland increasingly prosperous and civilized.

The Party Chief looks at Dan Phuong District's planning.

Nine years have passed, but the impressions of General Secretary Trong remain vivid in the minds of Dan Phuong’s officials and residents. Upon hearing of his passing, the people of Song Phuong were deeply saddened by the loss of a beloved leader.

In an interview with The Hanoi Times, Bui Thi Thuy, a teacher at Song Phuong Commune's Kindergarten, shared her good fortune in meeting General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during the National Great Unity Day in Thap Thuong Hamlet on November 15, 2015. She felt particularly honored when her then-7-month-old son, Dong Hai Long, was comforted by the General Secretary.

"Later, as my son grew older, he told friends and family that he had been held by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Our family felt incredibly fortunate and proud of this encounter," Thuy said.

The Party Chief and the then 7-month-old Dong Hai Long.

Thuy added that although their meeting was brief, she was deeply impressed by the General Secretary's warmth and kindness. "When I heard of his passing, I felt a great sense of loss, as if a family member had died," she said tearfully.

Song Phuong Commune Chairman Bui Anh Tung also shared fond memories of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit during the National Great Unity Day in 2015, when he was the Deputy Secretary of Song Phuong Commune's Party Committee. Tung was directly involved in organizing the event and introducing central, city, and district delegates.

Tung recalled feeling honored and less pressured when the General Secretary complimented him on his handling of the event.

"General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was very cordial. He greeted and shook hands with the elders and chatted warmly with the officials and residents. Everyone was pleased and impressed by him. Upon hearing of his passing, the officials and residents of Song Phuong were deeply saddened and mourned the loss of an exemplary and beloved Party leader," Tung told The Hanoi Times.

The Party Chief and officials of Song Phuong Ward, Dan Phuong District.

Following the General Secretary's directives, Song Phuong's officials and residents have continued to unite and strive to build a prosperous, strong, and civilized homeland. In 2018, the commune was recognized as meeting advanced new rural standards. This achievement has laid a solid foundation for Song Phuong to continue striving for exemplary new rural standards.

Remarkably, in 2021, Song Phuong successfully met the criteria and was recognized by the Hanoi People's Committee as an exemplary new rural commune. Notably, Song Phuong was one of the first five communes in Dan Phuong District and Hanoi to achieve this status.

The commune is focused on maintaining and enhancing its exemplary new rural standards, upgrading infrastructure, developing urban areas, and protecting the environment. Additionally, the commune is implementing measures to meet urban infrastructure development indicators to fulfill the administrative standards to become an urban ward before 2025.