Shining example in Sang Dom

In the Thai community of Sang Dom residential area, Trung Tam ward, Lao Cai province, Mr. Luong Trung Lap has long been a source of spiritual support and a role model in the movement to develop the local economy and build a cultural life.

One early winter day, we visited Mr. Luong Trung Lap's home. Still as energetic as ever, with a gentle smile, he led us to his dragon fruit garden, enthusiastically recounting stories about the plant he considered a special "connection" in his life.

Looking at the vast purple-fleshed dragon fruit orchard today, few would imagine that more than 10 years ago, this place was just an unproductive rice paddy. In 2014, when purple-fleshed dragon fruit was still unfamiliar in the region, thanks to research through television and books, Mr. Lap conceived the idea of ​​bringing this new crop to his hometown.

Mr. Luong Trung Lap renovated his unproductive rice fields to grow dragon fruit.

“At that time, I was scared – afraid of losing all my capital if I didn't succeed. But I thought, if I don't try, I'll never know if this land is suitable for me,” Mr. Lap said with a smile. Thinking is doing, so he boldly borrowed 200 million VND, plus his family's capital, and decided to convert 4,000 m² of rice paddy land to dragon fruit cultivation.

In the early days of erecting concrete pillars and stringing up seedlings, many people called him reckless. But he believed in his own perseverance.

To date, Mr. Lap is caring for 3,000 purple-fleshed dragon fruit trees on 600 concrete pillars. According to him, this type of dragon fruit only needs to be planted once but can be harvested for 20-25 years, yielding more than 20 harvests per year. With a selling price of about 20-30 thousand VND/kg depending on the time of year, the average annual income is over 100 million VND.

Mr. Lap takes care of his dragon fruit garden.

Purple-fleshed dragon fruit is fragrant, intensely sweet, and easy to sell, attracting traders who come directly to the orchard. For many years, Mr. Lap's dragon fruit orchard has become a destination for many households inside and outside the province to visit and learn from his experience.

"We have to fertilize every year, and after each harvest, we immediately start tending to the plants. Dragon fruit trees are easy to grow, but if they aren't cared for regularly, they'll become stunted, the fruit will be small, and the quality will be poor," Mr. Lap said, his hands nimbly pruning away the old, withered branches.

Along with growing dragon fruit, he utilized the remaining land to dig ponds for fish farming, raise free-range chickens, and keep bees for honey to increase his income. Mr. Lap confided: "When I was healthier, I also raised porcupines, French pigeons, pigs... I tried everything. Now that I'm old, I can't do as much anymore, but I still have to try to maintain the dragon fruit farming model, both to provide for my family and to create jobs for the local people!"

His fish pond provides enough food for his family.

Not only is Mr. Lap famous for his business acumen, but he is also known as a respected figure in the Thai community of Sang Dom, where over 80% of the population is Thai. In meetings, he consistently promotes the Party's guidelines and the State's policies among the community. In the New Rural Development movement, he not only mobilized people to donate land for roads but also took the lead in contributing financially, building trust and inspiring others to follow his example. Therefore, for Mr. Lap: "If you want the people to listen, you have to lead by example."

As a respected figure among the ethnic minority community, he is always present at meetings, mediation sessions, and community affairs. At the same time, he is particularly concerned with preserving the ethnic cultural identity. Thanks to his knowledge of Thai culture, he offers suggestions and contributions to local festivals and cultural programs to preserve traditions. He also actively encourages his fellow villagers to adopt a civilized lifestyle and build a more prosperous and fulfilling life.

Mr. Lap shared: "To be a respected person, one must first have peace in their own home. Children must be harmonious and live orderly lives so that the villagers will trust them." Currently, all of his children have stable jobs. His family has been awarded the title of "Exemplary Cultural Family" for many consecutive years. He himself has also continuously received commendations from various levels for his outstanding achievements in the patriotic emulation movement.

In his story, Mr. Lap never claimed to have done anything great. For him, it was all just small things; if he could help the villagers, he would help, if he could contribute to the community, he would readily do so. However, for the people of Sang Dom, that simplicity and dedication are what made him a solid source of moral support for the community.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/guong-sang-o-sang-dom-post887157.html