Keeping the flame of active ageing alive at 80

At the age of 80, Nguyen Ngoc Oanh, born in 1947 and living in Moi Hamlet, Minh Thanh Commune, remains active and dedicated to community activities, particularly the elderly movement in his locality. With a strong sense of responsibility and commitment, he has helped build the Community Fitness Club into a gathering place where older people can improve their health, enrich their cultural lives and support one another in economic development.

Members of the Minh Thanh Commune Community Fitness Club practise their exercises.

Born and raised during a challenging period in the country's history, Oanh enrolled at Viet Bac University of Education in Thai Nguyen in 1965 before becoming a lower secondary school teacher in Na Hang District. In 1971, responding to the nation's call, he volunteered for military service and fought in the southern battlefield as Deputy Company Political Officer of Regiment 165, Division 312. Following national reunification, he returned to the education sector in 1977, working at several schools before leaving the profession and returning to his hometown in 1982.

Back home, Oanh turned to agricultural production, receiving a contract to manage five hectares of forest in 1992 to develop his livelihood and green barren land. In 2003, he began participating in community affairs as Head of the Moi Hamlet Elderly Association branch, while also engaging in the local Veterans Association. With a desire to improve older people's physical and mental well-being, he joined other members in laying the foundations for a fitness club in 2012. The club officially began operating in 2013 with 50 members. Drawing on his teaching experience, Oanh directly instructed members in fitness exercises after attending training courses in Hanoi.

Over the past decade, the club has maintained regular meetings twice a month, offering a variety of activities, including fitness exercises, singing and recreational volleyball. Following the merger of Minh Thanh, Binh Yen and Luong Thien communes, membership continued to grow. By 2026, the club had 150 members, while its cultural exchanges and mass fitness performances regularly attracted between 150 and 200 participants.

Minh Thanh Commune leaders present a gift to Nguyen Ngoc Oanh on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons.

Beyond providing a venue for physical exercise, the club has promoted mutual support and solidarity. Members contribute to a common fund to visit and encourage those who fall ill and help one another develop their livelihoods. Notably, the club currently maintains a fund of around VND100 million to provide loans for members to expand household businesses and production. Thanks to this practical support, only 10 member households remain classified as poor.

Ma Trieu Phu, Chairman of the Minh Thanh Commune Elderly Association, said Nguyen Ngoc Oanh was highly dedicated and responsible, fulfilling both his community duties and family responsibilities.

With 23 years of dedicated service to the elderly movement, Oanh has become an inspiring example of active and meaningful ageing, helping foster solidarity and promote the sustainable development of elderly people's activities in Minh Thanh Commune.

Le Duy