Changes in the border region

From a land once described by the ancients as "a place where even the oldest birds haven't reached," Sop Cop is no longer a collection of isolated and remote villages, but rather a clustered and close-knit community thanks to a well-invested rural infrastructure and transportation system that connects the border villages more closely.

The center of Sop Cop commune today.

On July 1, 2025, implementing a two-tiered local government model, the eight communes of the former Sop Cop district were reorganized into four communes: Sop Cop, Muong Lan, Muong Leo, and Pung Banh. With sound state investment policies and the bold thinking and actions of the Party committee and government, the lives of the people are increasingly improving. During the year, the Sop Cop area completed many key transportation routes and projects, such as: upgrading the Sam Kha - Muong Leo road; the inter-commune road from Pung Banh (formerly Sop Cop district) to Dua Mon (formerly Song Ma district); embankment construction to prevent landslides in the Sop Cop administrative center; and the second phase of the Nam Lanh - Nam Ca bridge project… Currently, all four communes are accessible by car year-round; 100% of commune offices, health stations, and schools have been invested in and built to a high standard. National defense and security have been maintained, and the movement to protect the homeland, safeguard the border and boundary markers, and build a people's border defense posture has been strengthened. Foreign relations with neighboring localities of the Lao People's Democratic Republic have been preserved and developed.

The Púng Bánh Commune Public Administrative Service Center serves the people.

Visiting the border commune of Muong Leo, one witnesses the people enjoying a better life thanks to the completion of important infrastructure projects and the achievements of national target programs that have promoted socio-economic development and poverty reduction. Mr. Luong Van Thi, Chairman of the People's Committee of Muong Leo commune, said: "To have the convenient transportation infrastructure we have today, along with the high determination of the Party Committee and the government, there is also the consensus and support of the people. In 2025, the commune mobilized over 20 billion VND to build infrastructure, including, in addition to the State budget, the people actively participated in social mobilization by contributing labor and money. Currently, the commune has 15 km of hardened main commune roads; 70% of internal and inter-village roads are concreted, and convenient transportation helps to quickly transport and sell more than 5,500 tons of grain from the commune."

The people of Hua Muong village, Sop Cop commune, hang the national flag during the Lunar New Year.

In Muong Lan commune, the Tet atmosphere permeates the villages, with people busy cleaning the village roads, tidying up their houses, and hanging the national flag. Mr. Giang A Ly, head of the Giang clan in Pu Hao village, Muong Lan commune, shared: Living in a border village, although far from the center, the households in the village always unite and support each other in production and economic development. Especially, they actively participate with the functional forces in protecting the national border and boundary markers.

This year's Tet (Lunar New Year) brings joy to the people of Sop Cop commune as it has successfully completed its targets for political , economic, cultural, social, national defense, and security tasks in 2025. The economic structure has undergone positive changes, with three products recognized as OCOP (One Commune One Product) products: Muong Va sticky rice, border-style smoked buffalo meat, and honey-coated Polygonum multiflorum pills. The sticky rice product, in particular, has been recognized with the "Muong Va Sticky Rice - Sop Cop" certification mark.

The people of Na Mon village, Sop Cop commune, are harvesting oranges.

The joy was multiplied when, this year, the people of the commune harvested over 900 tons of coffee beans from more than 2,100 hectares of land. With an average selling price of 30,000 - 32,000 VND/kg, many households earned billions of VND from coffee cultivation, bringing them a prosperous Tet holiday.

Mr. Lo Van Thoat, from Hua Muong village, Sop Cop commune, couldn't hide his joy: "I've lived here for more than half my life, but I've never seen such a dramatic change in this border commune as it has today. The commune now has many infrastructure projects such as electricity, roads, schools, and health stations that have been invested in and built to a high standard; children are able to attend school regularly, and the lives of the people are becoming increasingly prosperous."

Officers and soldiers of the Nam Lanh Border Guard Post patrol and protect the border. Photo: PV

The saying about the land where "birds fly with white heads" is now just a memory, giving way to sprawling concrete roads and hills laden with coffee. With a solid foundation of synchronized infrastructure and the strength of national unity, Sop Cop is not only a sturdy bulwark of the Fatherland, but is also confidently rising to become an economic beacon in this border region. This confidence is spreading through every home, promising a prosperous and sustainable future for the ethnic communities here.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/doi-thay-vung-bien-vien-Ugp9XoDvR.html