Expatriates

The story of a "female general" of Agribank from Hai Duong who has a passion for agriculture and rural areas

SNOW WIND August 19, 2024 13:00

Memories of the days of flooding and deprivation in her maternal hometown of Tu Ky (Hai Duong) are deeply engraved in her mind and are the motivation that has helped Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, former Deputy General Director of Agribank, accompany farmers and poor rural areas for the past 33 years.

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Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong (left) donated hundreds of millions of dong to repair and plant trees at the martyrs' cemetery in Ha Thanh commune (Tu Ky).

Days in Ha Thanh

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, born in 1968, her maternal hometown is Tri Le village, Ha Thanh commune (Tu Ky). Looking back on 33 years of working and being attached to Agribank, Ms. Phuong shared that it was her childhood associated with hardships, growing up with farmers that instilled in her the love and aspiration to accompany agriculture, farmers, and the countryside.

Born and raised in Hanoi, when she was young, Mrs. Phuong often returned to her hometown in Ha Thanh commune, living in a village on the banks of the Luoc River during the days when the enemy attacked the capital or during summer vacations. Mrs. Phuong's grandmother and uncle were both simple, honest farmers in Tri Le village. From a very young age, Mrs. Phuong witnessed the continuous beating of drums to protect the dike.

"During flood season, my grandmother, uncle and other farmers were always ready to run away from the flood. At that time, I was just a little girl of a few years old. Although I could not help during the days when the water was rising above the dike, I witnessed how hard my grandmother, uncle and the villagers worked. Those memories have been deeply engraved in my mind ever since," Ms. Phuong recalled.

Once, when the village was flooded, Mrs. Phuong was in Hanoi. At that time, she was still young, but she still remembers the scene of people in her hometown reporting that the flood had submerged everything and everything was lost. It was also very difficult in the capital at that time, but Mrs. Phuong's mother gathered everything she could to send back to her hometown for everyone.

Mrs. Phuong's memories of her hometown are not only of the days of flooding and hunger, but also of the peaceful days of going to the fields to play and meet farmers harvesting potatoes, corn, and planting sugarcane on the riverbank. Those were gentle farmers, and when Mrs. Phuong returned, they said, "Little girl from the capital, come out and give me some sugarcane to bring home."

"There were times when things were difficult in Hanoi and there was also a shortage in the countryside, but every season he sent some new rice to the children. I miss the aroma of a bowl of rice cooked without any additives," Ms. Phuong emotionally shared.

The hometown of Ha Thanh has nurtured and embraced the soul and personality of Ms. Phuong, which is an important premise for her to understand and be determined, to make constant efforts to accompany farmers for 33 years at Agribank - the main state-owned commercial bank investing in the development of the "three rural" economy.

Heavy heart for Hai Duong and the countryside

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During the meeting with Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Ms. Phuong (fourth from left) affirmed that the inter-district and inter-commune roads, despite the slippery rain, still have the imprint of Agribank vehicles' tires.

Ms. Phuong retired in early August as Deputy General Director of Agribank after 33 years of working since graduating as valedictorian of the Banking Academy. Talking to reporters from Hai Duong Newspaper, some Agribank communications staff said that Agribank's charitable activities and social security image are all associated with Ms. Phuong.

As Deputy General Director of Agribank, Ms. Phuong's image is closely associated with activities in difficult rural areas across the country. With the belief that farmers are customers, rural areas are the area, and agriculture is the field of operation, Ms. Phuong is the one who laid the foundation for clean agricultural development programs, for a green future, and to elevate Vietnamese agricultural products.

On March 8, 2022, Ms. Phuong was honored to represent 21,000 female workers of the entire Agribank system to speak at the meeting between Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and female banking officials. Ms. Phuong said that "in the most difficult circumstances, natural disasters or epidemics, the slippery inter-district and inter-commune roads still bear the imprint of Agribank vehicles".

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On the occasion of the 77th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2024), Ms. Phuong gave gifts to many disadvantaged people in Ha Thanh commune from her personal budget.

And Mrs. Phuong really went. That woman went to poor rural areas with farmers in mountainous areas, fishermen in coastal areas and 7 times to Truong Sa. At the age of nearly 60, Mrs. Phuong still maintains a nimble demeanor, a tall and healthy figure, a bold walk, and a clear voice. Perhaps that is why Agribank officers and employees often call her "female general" when talking about Mrs. Phuong.

In particular, as a native of Hai Duong, Ms. Phuong always has a heavy heart for her homeland. Almost every year, Ms. Phuong organizes a gratitude and charity activity in Hai Duong. Most recently, on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2024), Ms. Phuong and the Agribank Trade Union visited the Martyrs' Monument in Hai Duong City and organized many meaningful activities to honor those who have contributed to the country and take care of policy families in Ha Thanh commune. Ms. Phuong's family has contributed hundreds of millions of VND to repair and buy trees to plant around the martyrs' cemetery in Ha Thanh commune and donated 30 million VND to 6 disadvantaged families from personal funds.

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Ms. Phuong organized a trip for veterans and relatives in the village to visit famous, historically significant places in Hanoi.

During the period when her hometown was building a new rural area but facing difficulties, Ms. Phuong mobilized and, together with the Agribank Trade Union, supported 5 billion VND to build Ha Thanh Kindergarten. Previously, Ms. Phuong brought a team of doctors from the 108 Central Military Hospital to examine and provide medicine to more than 200 wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, victims of Agent Orange, and elderly people over 80 years old in Ha Thanh commune.

In 2021, Ms. Phuong organized a trip for veterans and relatives in the village to visit Uncle Ho's Mausoleum, General Vo Nguyen Giap's house, the National Assembly House... Everyone was happy and moved because they could only go on such a trip once in their lifetime.

Now retired, Mrs. Phuong still cherishes and will carry out many meaningful plans and projects in Hai Duong and the sacred homelands and islands of the Fatherland. Mrs. Phuong also always educates her children and grandchildren about their homeland, to be attached, close to and to cherish the honest farmers.

SNOW WIND
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The story of a "female general" of Agribank from Hai Duong who has a passion for agriculture and rural areas