Change starts from the roads.

The inter-communal road connecting Huc Dong, Hoanh Mo, and Dong Van communes in Binh Lieu district ( Quang Ninh province) has facilitated the buying and selling of agricultural and forestry products for the local people.

Few could have imagined that Binh Lieu, a district with a low starting point, the highest percentage of ethnic minorities and the highest percentage of poor and near-poor households in the province, and with many outdated customs and practices still persisting in people's lives, would now have undergone such a dramatic transformation, presenting a new image.

We drove along the paved road from National Highway 18A to Hoanh Mo Border Gate, with concrete roads stretching along both sides, connecting villages and hamlets. Lush green hedges have replaced the overgrown, slippery paths overgrown with weeds. All 86 villages, hamlets, and neighborhoods in the district are now connected by paved or concrete roads. Dilapidated houses have given way to spacious, impressive multi-story buildings with bright red tiled roofs, creating the impression of a prosperous and beautiful countryside.

In particularly disadvantaged villages like Cao Thang and Khe O (Luc Hon commune), paved roads have been extended to the villages. Meeting Mr. Phun Man Quay (Dao ethnic minority, from Khe O village), he shared: “When I first moved from Dam Ha to Khe O to start a new life in 2006, there were only dirt roads here; even walking was difficult, let alone riding a motorbike. Especially since electricity and roads have been installed, trade and commerce within the village have become more convenient, and my family's situation has improved significantly.”

In Hoanh Mo, another border commune of Binh Lieu district, along the paved road that runs smoothly into the commune, both sides are lined with fertile terraced rice fields. In the distance are ancient cinnamon and anise forests, ready for harvest. Thanks to the modern and well-developed transportation infrastructure, Hoanh Mo is seeing an increasing number of affluent families. Luxury villas and expensive cars are no longer uncommon. The average income of people in Hoanh Mo commune reaches nearly 70 million VND per person per year, higher than the average income of the district.

Binh Lieu is a region with great tourism potential and advantages, yet the number of tourists visiting this land with its many majestic natural landscapes remains quite modest. The root cause is the lack of synchronized transportation infrastructure and the absence of connections between tourist destinations.

Therefore, Quang Ninh province and Binh Lieu district have urgently implemented investment in the inter-communal road connecting Huc Dong - Hoanh Mo - Dong Van to connect transportation, create conditions for socio- economic development and strengthen national defense and security in the area.

The project, with a total length of 43.27km and a width of 6.5m, is a Class V mountainous road project with a total investment of 430 billion VND. It connects the center of Huc Dong commune to National Highway 18C in Dong Van commune and was launched in late February 2022. The project consists of two routes: the Huc Dong to Dong Van route, 28.82km long, and the Cao Ba Lanh route connecting to National Highway 18C, 14.45km long.

Since these routes were put into use, tourists have had the opportunity to explore the hidden corners and hidden alleys of Binh Lieu. The new route is also considered by backpackers to be one of the most beautiful routes in Quang Ninh, due to the majestic scenery surrounding it.

According to Mr. Chìu Quay Làm, Party Secretary and Head of Khe Tiền village (Đồng Văn commune): Khe Tiền has 38 households, all of whom are Dao ethnic minority people. Before the road was built, people faced difficulties in transportation, so their lives were mainly based on self-sufficiency. Agricultural and forestry products had to be transported by motorbike over many high mountain passes and deep ravines to reach the market for sale. Since the road opened, trucks can easily reach the center of the village, so the prices of agricultural and forestry products have increased, and the lives of the people have improved. Previously, Khe Tiền village was mainly poor and near-poor households, but now there are no poor households left, only 11 near-poor households. Most children in the village attend school, and there are no longer any dropouts.

From a desolate mountainous area, Binh Lieu is now covered with acacia, star anise, cinnamon, and fruit trees... The achievements Binh Lieu has attained today are the result of a long process in which correct and consistent policies and guidelines for caring for and developing ethnic minority areas have been effectively implemented by Quang Ninh province.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/doi-thay-tu-nhung-con-duong-10292740.html