Nestled amidst towering mountains, Nhiu Co San village has long been considered an "oasis" isolated from the outside world . However, in the joyful atmosphere of early 2026, the vital road connecting the center of Den Sang commune to Nhiu Co San village is gradually taking shape, writing a new chapter in the lives of the local people.
Concerns at the "gateway to heaven"
Located at the highest point of Den Sang commune, at the foot of Nhiu Co San mountain - one of the highest peaks in Vietnam, Nhiu Co San is home to 110 households, 100% of whom are ethnic minorities.
Despite its majestic natural scenery and mild climate year-round, poverty persists, with over 60% of households in the village still classified as poor. The cause of poverty is not due to barren land or a lack of diligence among the people, but rather the isolation caused by the terrain.
For many years, the 7-kilometer stretch of road connecting the commune center to the village, part of Provincial Road 158, has been a nightmare for anyone who has set foot in Nhiu Co San. It's a rough, steep dirt road winding precariously along the mountainside. Even in the dry season, travel is difficult, but when the rainy season arrives, the road turns into a giant, slippery mud trench. The only way to get there is on foot.
Mr. Ly Lao San, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Den Sang commune, shared: “Nhiu Co San is located in a particularly difficult geographical position. For a long time, transportation infrastructure was almost non-existent. When people brought their agricultural products to the market, the transportation costs were often higher than the selling price. The disruption to trade was the biggest obstacle, causing the poverty rate here to remain consistently high.”
In the context of difficult transportation, the job of a motorbike taxi driver and goods transporter has become a challenging one. Giang A Va, a villager, has been working on these routes for many years. Every day, Va makes at least two trips carrying passengers on his motorbike along the route from Provincial Road 156B to the center of Nhiu Co San village and back.
For tourists who love trekking, the summit of Nhiu Co San is a dream destination, but for motorbike taxi drivers like Mr. A Va, those journeys are very arduous and dangerous.
Mr. Va said: “The dirt roads and steep slopes make it extremely difficult for me to drive, especially on rainy days. There are sections with very steep inclines, the wheels spin in place, and mud splashes from head to toe. Passengers often have to get off and walk, or even help push the cart. Each trip like that leaves both the driver and the passengers very tired.”
Not only is it difficult for tourists, but access to healthcare, education , and culture is also affected for the local people. The dream of a new road seems like a luxury beyond the reach of generations of residents here.
"A dream born from the concern of the Party and the State"
Recently, Provincial Road 158, connecting the center of Den Sang commune to Nhiu Co San village, spanning 7 km, commenced construction with a budget of 35 billion VND. The investor is the Bat Xat Area Investment and Construction Project Management Board; the construction unit is the Minh Thao - Truong Phat Joint Venture.
The investment in this road not only has significance for transportation but also serves as a tremendous socio -political impetus, strengthening the confidence of ethnic minority communities in the leadership of the Party and the State, demonstrating the spirit of "no one is left behind".
In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, the construction site was bustling with activity. Witnessing the excavators and bulldozers at work, Mr. Giang A Va happily added: “Thank you to the Party and the State for caring for the people in the highlands. With the new road, the lives of the people in Nhiu Co San will surely improve. From now on, tourists can come to Nhiu Co San more easily, and the people will also have more income from homestay services, tour guiding, etc.”
To ensure that the 7 km road truly becomes a "poverty alleviation" route, construction and supervision are paramount. Given the unique mountainous terrain, steep slopes, and harsh weather conditions, construction demands exceptional techniques and effort.
Mr. Nguyen Viet Tien, Deputy Director of the Bat Xat Area Investment and Construction Project Management Board, said: "Nhiu Co San is one of the most challenging construction sites we have ever worked on. The steep terrain requires careful leveling and compaction to avoid landslides during the rainy season. Furthermore, the weather here is very unpredictable, affecting the construction progress."
However, we are aware that this is not just a simple construction project, but represents the hopes of hundreds of households. Therefore, we are always present at the construction site to closely supervise. In addition, we urge the contractor to take advantage of favorable weather conditions to accelerate progress and ensure the project is handed over and put into use as soon as possible."
A bright future awaits Nhiu Co San. Trade will become more convenient, and Nhiu Co San's products will have the opportunity to reach a wider market. Furthermore, Nhiu Co San will become a highlight on the tourism map of Den Sang commune in particular, and Lao Cai province in general. Improved transportation will attract a large number of tourists to visit, experience the culture of the Dao and Mong ethnic groups, and conquer the mountain peak. This is an important prerequisite for shifting the economic structure from purely agricultural to sustainable service and tourism.
Mr. Ly Lao San added: "This road is a 'lever' for local economic development, improving people's lives, and making the goal of poverty eradication no longer a difficult problem to solve."
It is understood that, in order for the project to be completed and to maximize investment efficiency, the Bat Xat Area Investment and Construction Project Management Board has submitted a document requesting the Provincial People's Committee to consider allowing the allocation of additional funds, including: the total investment for land clearance; the additional handling of items affected by landslides due to natural disasters; and adjustments to the scale of the road surface structure. The total requested additional funding is 13.1 billion VND.
The new road is stretching up the mountain peak, carrying with it dreams of miraculous transformation for this land. Nhiu Co San will no longer be impoverished but will develop sustainably and vibrantly amidst the vast forest.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/duong-lon-noi-may-ngan-post893052.html
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