Investing in transportation infrastructure for development.
Leaving the center of Dong Ngu commune on National Highway 18, we turned onto a sloping road towards Khe Luc village, eager to see the changes in the countryside we hadn't had the chance to visit for a long time. Before being merged into the current Dong Ngu commune under the two-tiered local government model, this highland area belonged to the former Dai Duc commune, with nearly 100% of the population being ethnic minorities.
I remember many years ago, the economic life of the people here mainly depended on forestry and small-scale livestock farming, with quite limited production capacity. One of the reasons was the inadequate transportation system at that time. The terrain was hilly and mountainous, the roads were narrow, with many curves and steep slopes. Especially the main road, which constantly intersected with natural streams. Whenever there was heavy rain and high water levels, travel and trade would be completely disrupted. At those times, the cool, gentle streams of the mountains would become extremely turbulent. At the flooded areas, the water level would rise, and roaring waves would readily sweep away everything in their path, posing many safety risks. Difficult transportation became a major bottleneck, preventing the gap between regions from ever being narrowed.
“That’s just an old story!” – Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Ngu commune, Nguyen The Nam, enthusiastically affirmed after hearing our story. Mr. Nam said that the appearance and pace of life in the highland villages of the commune are now developing thanks to the “wind” of innovation from the New Rural Development program, sustainable poverty reduction, and Resolution No. 06-NQ/TU… There are no longer any poor households here. In line with the province's efforts to renovate and upgrade existing residential areas and improve the transportation infrastructure system according to Plan No. 272/KH-UBND dated October 21, 2025, of the Provincial People's Committee, Dong Ngu commune has also begun implementing the task with great determination.
From the beginning of 2026 to the present, the entire commune has commenced construction on 18 projects, with a total investment of over 160 billion VND. The commune's policy is to prioritize resources for disadvantaged areas and ethnic minority regions to promote balanced and comprehensive development across all areas. At the same time, it is recognized that this requires the joint participation of the entire political system, assigning specific responsibilities to each agency, unit, and community.
As if to immediately prove the Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of the commune's statement, images of construction projects being carried out in a hurry kept appearing one after another along our journey of just over 12km of mountain road. The culverts across the streams were being replaced with sturdy bridges – something many people in this highland region had long awaited.
The vehicles and machinery operate smoothly, the roar of the engines echoing through the mountainous landscape. Construction teams are working closely together to ensure the quality and progress of the project, realizing the strong determination of the local Party committee and government to definitively resolve the issue of local isolation during the rainy season and ensure traffic safety for the people and vehicles. The motto "work day and night" is emphasized, as the workers have been thoroughly briefed: This is an essential project serving the people, and it must be completed without delay or error.
In just a few weeks, when the poured concrete has hardened, the bridge spans will gradually take shape... at that time, the "banks of joy" will be connected, and construction will be completed before this year's rainy season.
The power of unity
In Khe Luc village, construction teams are busily working simultaneously on a bridge over the stream, improving the embankment to prevent landslides, and building two stream bank retaining walls, along with upgrading the local road. The peaceful residential area nestled amidst the hills now has a bustling atmosphere, resembling a large construction site, preparing to be transformed with a modern and improved appearance.
Like many residents here, Mr. Ninh Van Ngan closely follows the progress of the project every day, believing that a prosperous and modernized future for the entire village is fast approaching. Leading us to see the section of the stream embankment under construction, Mr. Ngan recounted: "This residential area and our fields are located right next to the stream, so it's unavoidable that everything from our houses to the fields and gardens will be flooded during the annual rainy season. Recently, with increasingly erratic and harsh weather, crop damage has become more frequent, and everyone has been hoping that the local Party committee and government would intervene soon. And now, that wish is about to become a reality."
Implementing the policy on upgrading transportation infrastructure, the bridge and road construction plan of Dong Ngu commune has demonstrated the spirit of "the Party's will aligning with the people's aspirations." To facilitate the construction, Mr. Ninh Van Ngan's family showed their willingness and support by donating over 800 square meters of land . The land, along with many fruit trees, crops, and structures on the land, will be handed over as a clean site to the contractor. Mr. Ngan added that the list publicly posted by the Commune People's Committee shows that there are nearly 9,700 square meters of land. Agricultural land, over 240 m² Residential land, 4 houses, 7 livestock barns, 50 fruit trees and large timber trees, nearly 1,300 m². The sturdy fences... have also been donated by the villagers in the hamlets and villages of the commune to facilitate the construction of 18 projects in the commune in 2026.
This high level of consensus was achieved thanks to the proactive and effective information dissemination, propaganda, and mass mobilization efforts implemented by the commune, ranging from public meetings, Party branch and Youth Union meetings, and association meetings, to social media platforms like Zalo and Facebook, and the local and mobile broadcasting systems. It can be said that mass media channels were maximized to help people fully understand the information; and at the same time, to express their aspirations and concerns, and participate democratically in discussions with the commune's Party committee and government.
Also accompanying us was the Head of the Front Committee of Khe Luc village. Ninh A Nong , the quick-witted young village official, added to the story: "Since Khe Luc village established a shared Zalo group, mobilizing the villagers has become much faster and easier. Before, to convene a meeting or send out an announcement, we had to go directly to each household. Sometimes it would take several days because the population is sparse, and people are often busy going to the forest, working in the fields, or going to town... very scattered. Now, the commune officials only need to announce it in the group, and the village leadership immediately disseminates it to the villagers via mobile phone. Therefore, even those working far away in the fields can understand it right away. Information on public and transparent implementation, or seeking people's opinions regarding the construction of bridges, roads, embankments, culverts... as recently seen, is also continuously disseminated this way, helping the villagers remember it better."
Then, pointing towards Dai Duc Secondary School, located right next to the bridge construction site, Mr. Ninh A Nong excitedly said: "The villagers are in agreement, excited, and eagerly awaiting the new bridge because they want their children's education to be ensured, without interruptions due to the unpredictable rise and fall of water levels during each rainy season. With the opportunity to focus on their studies, we hope the children will have a bright future and contribute to the development of our homeland, making it much more prosperous than it is today. Therefore, many households, despite their difficulties, are still willing to contribute their labor and resources, and participate in monitoring the quality of the construction..."
Information is transparent and democratic. The implementation is systematic and scientific. These factors have significantly contributed to Dong Ngu commune mobilizing the people's strength and unity for the common task. (Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of the commune) Nguyen The Nam The commune affirmed: The plan is to strive to complete and put all bridges into use before this year's rainy season; but at the same time, technical requirements will not be overlooked in pursuit of speed. All units are committed to completing the construction on schedule, but safety and quality are even more important and must be prioritized, so that people can use the structures sustainably and for a long time.
The joyful bridges built today in Dong Ngu will also "breathe" even more new vitality into this highland region in the coming days. The unity of "the Party's will aligning with the people's aspirations" and the strength of great solidarity have contributed to the rapid implementation of policies and decisions at the grassroots level.
Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/dong-ngu-noi-nhung-nhip-cau-vui-3406747.html
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