Unite to build our homeland, Van Khanh.

Mr. Nguyen Van Doi (right) and Mr. Danh Thinh stand beside the bridge recently built with contributions from the people. Photo: DANG LINH

Contributing to building bridges and roads.

Early in the morning, Mr. Nguyen Van Doi, residing in Kim Quy A1 hamlet, diligently trims the bougainvillea hedge in front of his house. Next to it, a newly inaugurated concrete bridge is the result of contributions from his family and local residents. “When building this bridge, the people in the hamlet contributed their labor, which saved costs. Those with money contributed money, those with free time contributed labor; those who were well-off donated a few million dong, while even a hundred thousand dong was appreciated,” Mr. Doi recounted.

On two occasions when the local authorities built bridges, Mr. Đời voluntarily donated a total of 90 square ^meters of land for the bridge slopes and contributed over 60 days of labor. For the Ngã Tư Kinh Xáng II bridge, which cost 150 million VND to build and was completed two months ago, the local people collectively contributed materials and 180 days of labor, amounting to nearly 50 million VND.

In front of Mr. Doi's house, a concrete road was built in 2016 under the motto "The State and the People work together," with the people contributing 30%. Every morning, seeing the traffic passing by, Mr. Doi feels a warmth in his heart. "The road helps me, my children, and my neighbors to travel more conveniently, so contributing is worthwhile," Mr. Doi said. Although his life is not yet affluent, when the locality needs him, he is always willing to contribute his labor and resources. Mr. Doi's generosity is a small dot in the larger picture, where the people of Van Khanh always consider the common good as their own.

The economy is booming.

The spirit of solidarity in Van Khanh commune extends beyond bridges and roads, permeating every task and production model. Officials are close to the people, and the people trust them; they discuss, work together, and share the benefits. While Mr. Doi contributed with the strong hands of a farmer, Mr. Danh Thinh, residing in Kim Quy A2 hamlet, contributed with the exemplary and persistent spirit of a soldier. In 1985, Mr. Thinh started with 3 acres of land, gradually reclaiming and purchasing more. By 1990, he owned 4 hectares of rice paddies, establishing a stable livelihood and ensuring his children received a good education – one became a doctor, and the other a deputy head of the hamlet.

With a keen sense of adaptability, since 2002, he has switched to a combined shrimp-rice farming model, initially raising tiger shrimp, then expanding to whiteleg shrimp, crabs, mullet, and carp in a natural, extensive farming method. “We must preserve the rice plants so that the shrimp and fish can live naturally; that way, it’s sustainable, ensuring both a good rice harvest and a good shrimp and fish harvest,” Mr. Thinh said. In some years, he earned over 1.2 billion VND, with an average profit of 300-400 million VND per year.

According to Ms. Vo Thi Hong Ut, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Van Khanh commune, the local socio-economic situation has made significant progress in recent years. Average per capita income has reached 76 million VND/year, double that of five years ago. The commune currently has 32 cooperative groups and 9 cooperatives, with 3 products achieving OCOP (One Commune One Product) certification. Notably, the commune has constructed 27 concrete bridges and 13 concrete pillar bridges with steel decks, totaling 14.5 billion VND. Of this, the people contributed labor and materials worth over 4.5 billion VND, with the remainder funded by businesses and the state budget.

The commune's poverty rate has decreased to 1.53%, and the near-poverty rate to 1.55%. The commune has built 235 solidarity houses with a total cost of over 14 billion VND and mobilized 623 million VND for the fund for the poor. “The patriotic emulation movements, especially the new rural development program, have always been actively supported by the people. The close relationship between officials and the people has become a solid foundation helping Van Khanh to develop further,” said Ms. Vo Thi Hong Ut.

With these comprehensive achievements, Van Khanh commune was honored to receive the Government's Emulation Flag in 2025, a prestigious award recognizing the efforts of the entire political system and the people's dedication. From farmers who donated land and contributed labor to the dedicated team of officials, everyone sees themselves reflected in this award. As Mr. Nguyen Van Doi said, simply but profoundly: "Roads, bridges, schools, and health stations all belong to our people; only through unity can our homeland become strong and our lives improve."

DANG LINH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/doan-ket-dung-xay-que-huong-van-khanh-a465500.html