Overcoming difficulties in Bang Thanh

Located nearly 200km from the center of Thai Nguyen province, Bang Thanh remains a particularly disadvantaged commune. By the end of 2025, the commune still had 854 poor households and 457 near-poor households. To improve its situation, the local authorities are leveraging state support resources and fostering consensus among officials and the people to gradually create significant changes.

A view of Bang Thanh commune.

Unlocking resources, creating momentum for transformation.

Upon arriving in Bang Thanh, our first impression was the new construction projects underway. Along the roads, trucks continuously transported materials to the construction sites. Mr. Ca Van Thuong, Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, stated: "In 2025 alone, 36 public investment projects with a total capital of over 113 billion VND will be implemented in the area; 100% of the projects have been disbursed and are progressing on schedule."

The four most remote, highest-altitude, and most disadvantaged communes in the province – Bộc Bố, Nhạn Môn, Giáo Hiệu, and Bằng Thành – were merged to form the new Bằng Thành commune effective July 1, 2025. The commune comprises 38 villages, primarily inhabited by the Tay, Nung, Mong, Dao, Kinh, and San Chi ethnic groups; with a total of 2,871 households and over 13,000 inhabitants, and an average income of 28.5 million VND per person per year.

Looking out from the center of the commune, one is surrounded by towering mountains. Amidst this landscape, for generations, the people have diligently clung to the land and forests, persevering in their labor to overcome difficulties. Today, the fields and forest slopes have gained new vitality as outdated farming practices are gradually being replaced by progressive production methods.

The people are actively applying scientific and technological advancements to farming and livestock breeding, gradually moving towards concentrated commodity production. The entire cultivated land area is being utilized efficiently, including 506 hectares of rice fields planted with varieties such as Nhi Uu 838, San Uu 63, Viet Lai 20, Bac Huong, and Japonica J02; and 417 hectares of corn fields using varieties such as CP 511, CP 512, and NK 4300. Rice yields reach 50 quintals/hectare, and corn yields reach 39 quintals/hectare. By 2025, the total grain production is expected to reach nearly 6,500 tons, averaging 483 kg per person per year.

In addition, nearly 50 hectares of unproductive land have been converted to growing vegetables, elephant grass, ginger, mulberry trees, and fruit trees. Many economic models have initially yielded good incomes, such as snail farming in Na Muong village and livestock and poultry farming in Na My village.

Although living standards have improved, the biggest challenge in poverty reduction remains the lack of production capital. To address this, Bang Thanh commune has collaborated with the Social Policy Bank to facilitate access to preferential loans for its residents.

The family of Mr. Hoang Van Pao in Khau Vai village is a good example. In 2015, with a loan of 30 million VND, he bought a pair of buffaloes, which provided strong draft animals, expanded his fields, and gradually improved his family's economy. To date, his family has escaped poverty and maintains a herd of 5 buffaloes and 9 cows, which serve both production and breeding purposes.

In 2025 alone, 908 households in the commune received loans totaling over 54 billion VND. This included nearly 14 billion VND borrowed by 233 poor households; over 4.2 billion VND borrowed by 62 near-poor households for production development; nearly 7.6 billion VND borrowed by 189 poor households in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for housing construction; over 9.5 billion VND borrowed by 101 workers to create jobs; and nearly 2.4 billion VND borrowed by 28 individuals to cover expenses for education, vocational training, and procedures for working abroad under fixed-term contracts.

Speaking to us, Mr. Ma A Pao from Na Be village simply said: "Having stable housing and capital for production is an opportunity for poor households to rise up."

It is known that Mr. Pao's family is one of 327 households in the commune that will receive housing support from the State in 2025, including 25 households under the Poverty Reduction Program, 157 households under the Program for the Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas; and 145 households receiving support from social mobilization sources.

In the new homes, joy was evident on every face. Mr. Ly Van So, from Pac Nam village, was delighted to have a secure place to live. Mr. Vang Van Vang, from Lung Mit village, shared that since having a new house, his life has become more stable and his health has improved...

Opening the way to sustainable poverty alleviation.

Perhaps the most significant driving force behind Bang Thanh's remarkable progress is the shift in mindset and approach. The spirit of national unity has been fostered, creating consensus among officials and citizens alike in choosing the right direction. In particular, digital transformation and the development of a digital society have been identified as key breakthroughs, contributing to improved management efficiency and expanded opportunities for economic development.

In 2025, Bang Thanh commune will have 327 households receiving support for housing construction.

Immediately after its establishment, 100% of the commune's documents were processed electronically; all officials and civil servants used official email for communication and work resolution. The Commune Public Administrative Service Center operated smoothly, with a 100% rate of applications processed correctly and ahead of schedule; and a 100% satisfaction rate among the people.

These figures reflect a clear shift in administrative reform and build public trust in local government.

Digital technology has spread beyond administrative areas, gradually permeating the daily lives of the people. At Boc Bo market, public Wi-Fi has been installed, and QR code displays are widely used. Many transactions have switched to cashless payment methods, which are more convenient, faster, and safer.

Thanks to the application of technology, geographical distances are gradually being narrowed. Products from the mountains and forests, such as bamboo shoots, stream fish, or 3-star OCOP products like smoked sausage, Tam Tien fermented pork, and Pac Nam forest honey, can reach customers in many different localities. Product consumption is no longer confined to villages and communes but has expanded to a larger market through transportation and delivery.

It is evident that, from digital transformation to innovative production thinking, from leveraging internal strengths to taking advantage of support policies, Bang Thanh is gradually changing its appearance. The results achieved, though modest, are an important foundation for the locality to continue to develop. With this momentum, this mountainous, remote area is expected to soon escape the list of particularly disadvantaged communes.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202604/chuyen-vuot-kho-o-bang-thanh-d924596/