Captain Ha Van Duc was transferred to Trung Son commune, a remote border village nearly 200 km from the center of Thanh Hoa province, almost six months ago after the district police force was reorganized. Trung Son, once known for drug-related issues, still faces economic hardship.
During a patrol in Ta Ban village, Duc was deeply moved by the sight of children struggling to survive after their parents were incarcerated for drug offenses. He and his colleagues pooled their money to buy books, clothes, and other necessities for the children and then shared their story on social media.
A clip showing the officer quietly checking on two young sisters whose mother was in prison and father had abandoned them touched millions, garnering over 4 million views on TikTok.
Thanks to the online attention, orphaned children received school supplies and bicycles, and elderly residents received rice, essential goods, and medicine. "Every patrol now is not just about maintaining security but also about sharing with the community," Duc said.
To ensure transparency, the commune police do not accept direct donations but coordinate with the local Fatherland Front to ensure aid reaches those in need.
Duc's TikTok channel, Nguoi o ban (Person in the village), now has over 84,000 followers, becoming a unique community outreach platform where the officer connects with residents, understands their struggles, and helps them overcome difficulties.
Livestreaming helps villagers escape poverty
Duc noticed that many households produced specialty goods like dried bamboo shoots, chili bamboo shoots, wild plums, and bamboo chopsticks, but their sales were limited to the local market. Recognizing the rising trend of e-commerce, he decided to use TikTok as a sales channel.
Instead of resting after a day's work, Duc spends his evenings visiting villagers, equipped with his phone and a tripod. On TikTok, he showcases local products, connecting them with buyers nationwide and offering a path out of poverty.
Three nights a week, Duc sets up his equipment after work, hosting 1-2 hour livestreams that attract thousands of viewers and generate a steady stream of orders. He also teaches villagers how to film, edit videos, and create e-commerce accounts for more professional selling.
"People used to watch TikTok for entertainment, but now they use it to promote their products. Some young people have even started their own channels," Duc said.
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Duc (right) during a livestream selling pickled bamboo shoots. Photo: Lam Son |
Duc (right) during a livestream selling pickled bamboo shoots. Photo: Lam Son
These small changes have yielded significant results. Many households in Trung Son now have a stable income, no longer solely reliant on government assistance.
Pham Ba Tai, 24, from Chieng village, said that thanks to the livestreaming assistance, he and his wife now sell over 100 jars of chili bamboo shoots monthly. Previously, sales at the local market were slow and unpredictable, but now they have orders from all over the country, often exceeding their production capacity.
Lieutenant Colonel Ha Xuan Truong, head of Trung Son Commune Police, said the commune has 6 villages with almost 3,200 residents. In addition to maintaining security, the unit encourages officers to use digital platforms for community outreach and economic development.
Truong said that using social media for community outreach has been remarkably effective. Young people in the highlands are now confidently selling online, contributing to rural development and poverty reduction.
Le Hoang
