Hmong veterans at the forefront of movements

Veteran Ly Seo De actively participates in movements in Pom Khuong village, Tam Chung commune. Photo: Tang Thuy

Pom Khuong village is nestled along the Ma River. In the afternoon sunlight, the rammed earth houses shine with a distinctive brown color. The village has 81 households, 100% of whom are Mong ethnic people who migrated from the northern provinces. In 2001, Mr. Ly Seo De's family from Nam Ran commune, Ha Giang province settled in Pom Khuong village. He used to work at Nam Ran commune police, until 2003 when he transferred to Tam Chung commune police and retired in 2011.

Currently, Pom Khuong village has about 30 households living in rammed earth houses. This is a rare village that still retains the rammed earth houses. With the orientation of building an experiential tourism village, the local government has been propagating to the people to preserve the intact architecture of the rammed earth houses, while preserving the traditional culture, customs and good practices of the Mong people.

As a prestigious person among the Mong people in Pom Khuong village, Mr. De, together with the local government and organizations, has encouraged people to preserve and promote the good traditional cultural values of the nation, including the preservation of rammed earth houses. Because rammed earth houses are not only a place to live but also a cultural heritage, containing unique architectural features of the Mong people. According to Mr. De, "rammed earth houses are suitable for the natural conditions and living and production activities of the local people here. Because of the habit of living in the mountains and the harsh climate, building houses with earth will ensure warmth in the winter, coolness in the summer and protection from wild animals".

Despite his old age, Mr. De still actively participates with the people in building rural roads, clearing dense vegetation, cleaning village roads and alleys; promptly grasps the thoughts, feelings, legitimate aspirations and difficulties and problems in the community to reflect to the Party Committee and government; and mobilizes people to send their school-age children to school.

Party cell secretary and head of Pom Khuong village, Ly Seo Chau, said: "More than 10 years ago, Pom Khuong village was isolated from other villages of Tam Chung commune. Now, the rural face of Pom Khuong village has changed significantly and the village is striving to reach the NTM finish line. In addition to the attention and support from the policies of the Party and the State, the grassroots cadres have been dedicated and close to the people to help them, including significant contributions from prestigious people like Mr. De. Together with the village management board, Mr. De regularly encourages people to actively change the structure of crops and livestock, apply scientific and technical advances in production to bring high economic efficiency, gradually eliminate hunger and reduce poverty".

The culture of the Mong ethnic group is very diverse and rich, reflected in all aspects of social life. However, in the process of economic integration and development, many traditional cultural values are gradually fading away. In addition, some bad customs such as early marriage and incestuous marriage still exist, hindering the construction of a civilized lifestyle among the Mong people. At this time, Pom Khuong village is propagating and mobilizing people to effectively implement Project 6 on "Preserving and promoting fine traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development" under the National Target Program on socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas in the period of 2021-2030. The village also regularly organizes sports activities and folk games during holidays, New Year and festivals.

Talking about the contributions of Mr. Ly Seo De, Ms. Luong Thi Tuan, Secretary of the Party Committee of Tam Chung Commune, said: “Mr. De is a person with a voice among the Mong ethnic people of Pom Khuong village. With his prestige, he has contributed to improving the lives of the people of Pom Khuong village, preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the nation.”

Tang Thuy

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/cuu-chien-binh-nguoi-mong-di-dau-trong-cac-phong-trao-258738.htm