Changes in Chau Phong

Transform your mindset.

Chau Phong commune was formed by merging three communes: Le Chanh, Phu Vinh, and Chau Phong, covering an area of 49.28 ^km² and with a population of over 56,000 people, including more than 5,600 Cham people. The new Party Committee has 808 members operating in 35 branches and subordinate Party committees. In the form of an expanded commune, it is easy to feel the change in the way of thinking and doing of the government and the people.

Chau Phong is promoting economic development while preserving its ethnic cultural identity. Photo: MINH HIEN

Today's development stems from a shift in management thinking, from operation to governance, with the people at the center. Mr. Vo Van Thanh, a Party member with 50 years of Party membership, recalls a time when people were accustomed to small-scale, individual production. Now, with cooperatives, collaboration and "thinking big, doing big" have become commonplace. Farmers no longer sell what they have but instead sell what the market needs, boldly choosing new varieties and applying high-quality processes.

A shift in mindset has led to a change in production methods. From fragmented production to integrated supply chains, the output of agricultural products remains stable. The commune currently has 6 cooperatives and 27 cooperative groups, playing a crucial role as links in the supply chain between the government, scientists, farmers, and businesses. Thanks to this, over 11,000 hectares of rice are produced annually, with 95% being high-quality varieties, helping the locality maintain its position as a safe and sustainable agricultural production area in the upstream region of the Hau River.

Mechanization in agricultural production contributes to increased crop productivity and yield. Photo: MINH HIEN

The shift in governance thinking is also clearly reflected in social life. The poverty rate decreased from 2.6% to 1%, and the near-poverty rate decreased from 10% to just over 3%. The entire commune has completely eliminated temporary housing, a result demonstrating the synchronized efforts of the entire political system. The Cham people in Phum Soai hamlet say that life is much easier now, roads are clear, and all children can go to school.

New infrastructure has created a boost, with concrete roads stretching all the way to the fields of Bac Vinh An, and clusters of modern houses springing up in residential areas. The new rural landscape is clearly evident in each hamlet, and the spirit of daring to think and act permeates the daily stories of the people.

Promoting cultural identity

For Chau Phong, cultural identity is not just a memory but also a resource for development. The Cham village of Chau Phong currently welcomes over 10,000 tourists annually. Traditional brocade weaving, cuisine, and the serene architecture of the mosque have become highlights of community-based tourism. Today, Chau Phong commune is proud to have three 3-star OCOP products: Tung Lo Mo (a type of traditional Vietnamese textile), dried beef, and cantaloupe, contributing to bringing the image of the Cham people of Chau Phong closer to tourists.

High-tech agriculture is being widely adopted by farmers. Photo: MINH HIEN

Mr. Jacky, Head of the Cham Muslim Community Representative Board, shared: “What we are proud of is that the Cham village has changed a lot but still retains its cultural identity, and the sense of community and neighborly solidarity remains strong. The lives of the people are getting better and better.” In recent years, Chau Phong has taken advantage of its waterways to develop community tourism associated with traditional crafts, cuisine, and the unique lifestyle of the Cham people. These cultural tourism products are becoming a new direction, helping many households find more jobs right in their hometown.

According to Nguyen Thanh Lam, Secretary of the Chau Phong Commune Party Committee, the commune's first Party Congress identified the goal of developing the economy alongside cultural development as a guiding principle. To realize this goal, the locality is focusing on three breakthroughs: high-tech agriculture, Cham cultural tourism, and digital transformation to build a digital government and digital economy. Each breakthrough is based on existing advantages, demonstrated by positive results in production, services, income, and the living standards of the people.

Farmers in Chau Phong cooperate in business, ensuring stable product output. Photo: MINH HIEN

Revolutionary traditions also serve as an important spiritual foundation. Mrs. Vo Thi Lai, from a revolutionary family residing in Phu Vinh hamlet, still vividly remembers the years spent sheltering revolutionary cadres, when the Kinh and Cham people stood shoulder to shoulder. This spirit of solidarity is not only a memory of a time of war but also a source of strength for Chau Phong today to build a close-knit community with shared aspirations.

As evening falls over Chau Giang wharf, the last rays of sunlight cast a golden glow on the water, adding vibrant colors to this newly unified land. Amidst the resounding chants of the Quran from the mosque, the laughter of children, and the rhythmic sounds of harvesting machines in the high-quality rice fields, Chau Phong emerges as a community undergoing powerful transformation while preserving its age-old cultural essence. The spirit of unity and the people's determination to progress become the driving force for the locality to confidently embark on a new journey of development, aiming for a prosperous and abundant harvest for the entire community.

MINH HIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/doi-thay-o-chau-phong-a470038.html