Working together with Song Khua commune

In the early days of the year, amidst the biting cold and thick fog, we, along with the delegation from the Provincial Business Association, traveled nearly 50 kilometers along winding mountain roads from the center of Van Ho commune to Song Khua commune to deliver gifts to poor households and families receiving preferential treatment. By over 9 a.m., the commune center was bustling with activity. In front of the newly renovated commune cultural center, people from the villages gathered, their greetings and laughter dispelling the chill of the highlands.

Báo Sơn La•27/01/2026

Song Khua commune center. Photo: Thanh Tung (Contributor)

After the merger, Song Khua commune has a natural area of 192.45 km² and a population of 15,859 people, comprising four ethnic groups: Thai, Muong, Kinh, and Dao, living in 27 villages. The area is large, the population is scattered, many villages are far from the center, and infrastructure is not yet fully developed. In 2025, the entire commune still had 67 households living in temporary or dilapidated houses; the poverty rate, although reduced, remains high compared to the general average.

In accordance with the Provincial People's Committee's decision on assigning agencies, units, and businesses to assist communes in Zone III during the 2021-2026 period, the Provincial Business Association has implemented many practical support activities for Song Khua commune over the past years. Particularly in 2025, when the locality implements the administrative merger according to the two-tier government model, this partnership will become even more significant, contributing to stabilizing the commune's organizational structure, improving people's lives, and creating a foundation for long-term development.

The Provincial Business Association presented gifts to families in extremely difficult circumstances in Song Khua commune.

During this visit, the Provincial Business Association donated 176 gift packages, totaling nearly 90 million VND, to poor households and families entitled to preferential policies in the area. Mr. Nguyen Quoc Khanh, Chairman of the Provincial Business Association, stated: The Association currently has 11 regional business branches and 7 member organizations, with a total of 860 members, operating in almost all economic sectors of the province. Helping Song Khua commune is a responsibility and expression of the business community's affection for this mountainous locality that still faces many difficulties. The Association recognizes that support must be practical, meeting the specific needs of the locality, both caring for social welfare and contributing to the foundation for sustainable development.

In 2025, the Provincial Business Association awarded 55 gifts to poor households and families entitled to preferential policies; donated stone benches to Song Khua commune with a total value of over 136 million VND; and connected member businesses such as Quynh Ngoc Joint Stock Company, Bao Viet Life Insurance Company Son La , Military Bank (MB Bank) Son La Branch, and Minh Tam Tay Bac Co., Ltd. to donate 70 million VND to upgrade the internal road in Un village, with a length of over 150 meters, creating favorable conditions for people to travel and transport agricultural products.

SHB Son La Branch presents gifts to families in extremely difficult circumstances in Song Khua commune.

Mr. Do Nhu Kien, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Song Khua commune, said: After the merger, the locality faced many difficulties in infrastructure, and the Provincial Business Association has been accompanying and sharing the difficulties with the commune's Party Committee and government. Every year, the Association donates money and gifts to poor households; supports some equipment for the commune's cultural center and grounds; and provides funding for road construction... Along with other social resources, this has helped Song Khua commune take care of social welfare, giving more than 1,000 gifts to poor and near-poor households and students with difficult circumstances, receiving attention from provincial departments and agencies.

With the support and cooperation of businesses, 2025 provided further impetus, leading to continued positive economic development. The cultivated area reached 3,427 hectares, exceeding the resolution target by 3.66%; the total livestock population reached 30,694 head, exceeding the plan by 41.25%; and aquatic product output reached 165 tons, exceeding the plan by over 100%. As a result, the poverty rate decreased by 2% compared to 2024.

People in Song Khua commune are harvesting southern ginseng.

As one of nearly 200 impoverished households and families receiving government assistance, Ms. Mui Thi Hoi from Long Khua village, Huoi Mot commune, emotionally shared: “Receiving these gifts has deeply moved my family, as it is a great encouragement for us to strive for a better life. Thank you to the businesses for their care and support for our people.”

Continuing its partnership with Song Khua commune, the Provincial Business Association will connect businesses to invest in potential sectors, while maintaining social welfare activities and contributing to sustainable poverty reduction. These practical actions are building trust and strengthening the bond between the business community and the people of Song Khua commune, working together towards the goal of sustainable development.