Episode 5: Hard work - the foundation of creativity

Updated: 11/02/2025 15:35:29

DTO - Like many nations around the world , Vietnamese people in general, and those in Dong Thap in particular, possess diligence, which is one of their most prominent characteristics. Folklore speaks of "endurance and hard work," "hard work and diligence," not only praising female laborers but also all men in various fields. Even in their youth, people in Dong Thap had to endure harsh conditions and gradually became accustomed to the arduous labor of agriculture. And even in the age of "intellectual capital," diligence remains a top quality of the Vietnamese workforce.

Thanks to their hard work and preferential loan support, Mr. and Mrs. Tran Hong Thang (residing in Thanh Tan hamlet, Long Thang commune, Lai Vung district) have developed their cattle farming business and escaped poverty (Photo: MX).

Part 1: Patriotism - A Resource for Prosperity

>> Part 2: Unity - Natural and Pure

>> Part 3: Honesty - Shines Forever Through Time

>> Part 4: Self-reliance - the foundation of independence and adaptability in the new era

Hard work is understood as the ability to strive and always make an effort, the patience and dedication to achieve goals. This virtue is demonstrated through the frequency and responsibility in performing any task, whether it's small things in daily life or building a great career. Synonyms for hard work include diligence and industriousness. The opposite of hard work is laziness and procrastination. The most concrete manifestation of laziness is discouragement, lack of effort, or unwillingness to do anything. Laziness is the greatest enemy of success. It's easy to see that not all hard-working people become rich, but most hard-working people have stable lives. Lu Xun, a great Chinese writer, said: "On the road to success, there are no footprints of laziness." Recently, some opinions have discussed a paradox: "laziness can easily lead to success." In reality, this is a misconception between laziness and the desire to lighten the workload or achieve more results in a short time. To finish a job as quickly as possible, one must rack their brains to find countless ways to do it. That is a form of hard work, not simply waiting for things to fall into their lap.

Most people in Dong Thap come from farming backgrounds, so they are closely connected to agriculture. Farming and fishing were once the main source of livelihood for the vast majority of families. In this situation of "working with your hands to eat, working with your hands to go hungry," people were forced to work hard to improve their lives. Furthermore, stemming from a backward agricultural system, the arduous task of toiling under the sun and rain forged resilience and endurance in farmers. In addition, unpredictable weather and diseases affecting crops and livestock forced farmers to find ways to cope. Many objective and subjective factors in earning a living on agricultural land shaped these hardworking people. Moreover, living through war, these patriotic farmers understood that labor was also a duty to the resistance and the cause of victory. And when the country was at peace , people joined hands to heal the wounds of war, rebuild their homeland, and provide better care for their families. The foundation of hard work was further strengthened by the motto "Labor is glorious," because labor is not only for oneself but also for the community and society. Along with their diligence in their work, all sectors enthusiastically participated in "Communist Labor Days." This spirit was nurtured and shone brightly during the period when the country was implementing the "Renovation" process. Once again, all strata of the people "marched together" on the front lines of building and defending the Fatherland. Students overcame difficulties and studied diligently; workers actively started businesses, creating many products bearing the Dong Thap brand; civil servants and officials were conscientious in their organizational tasks; soldiers of the armed forces devoted themselves to maintaining peace for their homeland... It is through the intellect and diligent hands of the people of Dong Thap that many families prospered, villages flourished, and the homeland underwent a transformation.

Amidst the bright picture of hard work in Dong Thap, there are still a few individuals who are like "worms." Both in their mindset and actions, they only want to "sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor," avoiding hard work and difficulties. In many fields, we encounter attitudes of "passing the buck," working carelessly and superficially... Some individuals are lazy, unwilling to change their lives, or only hope for a quick "change of fortune," even resorting to illegal activities. Folklore has pointed out the root cause of bad habits as "Idleness breeds evil." Here, families, schools, and communities have the primary responsibility in creating a healthy competitive work environment: "The more you work, the more you earn; the less you work, the less you earn; if you don't work, you don't earn," and this is the foundation of a love for work. Lessons and experiences from the practical lives of individuals, communities, and nations all point to the opposite of diligence and laziness. Even in an era of highly developed science and technology, diligence remains the leading factor in labor and the foundation of innovation and creativity. The knowledge economy especially requires highly skilled labor with precise operations.

From their living environment and education, the people of Dong Thap have been "trained" to cultivate the virtue of diligence. Through hard work, the people of the "Land of Lotus" have gradually overcome flooding, conquered barren land, and built infrastructure to serve the diverse lives of the people here. This "blessed land" has become, and continues to be, a "desirable place to live." This diligence will also be the foundation and preparation for the younger generation of Dong Thap to enter a new era, to establish themselves, build careers, and create a prosperous, beautiful, and civilized homeland, standing shoulder to shoulder with modern regions of countries around the world.

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