Hai Lang is striving for development.

Located at the southern gateway of Quang Tri province, one of the areas most severely affected by war, Hai Lang has endured brutal times. This land was ravaged by bombs and bullets, devastated and exhausted. Yet, it is precisely from these hardships that this land has proudly risen like a cactus in the desert, strong, resilient, and indomitable.

A view of Hai Lang district today - Photo: MT

The numbers speak for themselves.

On May 1st, 1990, Hai Lang district was re-established, marking a significant milestone in a new journey. From a poor, purely agricultural district with a rice yield of only 12 quintals/hectare, inadequate infrastructure, and difficult living conditions for its people, Hai Lang has persistently transformed itself step by step. And after more than three decades, this land has taken on a new, more modern, spacious, and aspirational appearance.

Hai Lang's development achievements are the result of a well-planned development strategy, based on the efforts of all sectors of the population and the sound leadership of the local Party committee and government. In 2023, the district's per capita GRDP reached 66.3 million VND, a figure that surprised many considering its very low starting point more than 30 years ago.

To date, Hai Lang's production value growth rate has remained at 10-12% per year. Total local budget revenue reached 830.5 billion VND; total social investment capital for the 2020-2024 period reached 4,600 billion VND. These figures not only affirm achievements but also reflect the resilience of a rural area that refuses to be defeated by adversity.

One of the most significant milestones in Hai Lang's development is the shift in its economic structure. From a purely agricultural district, the proportion of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries now accounts for only 24.68%, giving way to industry, handicrafts, and construction (35.22%) and services (40.1%). These figures reflect a crucial turning point; Hai Lang is gradually transforming itself into an industrial "growth pole" of Quang Tri province. The three industrial clusters of Dien Sanh, Hai Thuong, and Hai Chanh have attracted dozens of investment projects, with high occupancy rates. In particular, large projects such as the My Thuy Port Area and the Quang Tri Industrial Park, scheduled to commence in 2023-2024, are expected to create a major impetus for the comprehensive development of industry, trade, and services.

Besides industrial development, Hai Lang is also a leading locality in the new rural development program. As the first district to complete its new rural development plan in 2013, all 15 communes in the district have now met the standards, including 3 communes that have achieved advanced new rural development standards and Dien Sanh town that has achieved civilized urban development standards.

With over 2.813 billion VND invested in rural infrastructure, Hai Lang has undergone a dramatic transformation: village roads and alleys are well-maintained, and the school system, health stations, and cultural centers have been upgraded comprehensively. People not only feel secure staying in their villages but are also proud that their homeland is a "livable place."

The model of clean and organic agricultural production is being promoted. 177 hectares of organic rice with a yield of 60-67 quintals/hectare is proof that farmers in Hai Lang have learned how to get rich from their own fields.

In the field of education and training, Hai Lang has consistently ranked first in Quang Tri province for 17 consecutive years, with high-quality secondary school students. The school system has been comprehensively invested in, with 22 out of 42 schools meeting national standards, and notably, 70% of preschools have achieved this standard. Along with education, Hai Lang's healthcare sector has also made significant progress: 100% of communes meet national healthcare standards, 100% of residents have access to clean water, and 93.5% of solid waste is collected according to regulations. Community health care programs, population control, and child welfare programs are increasingly emphasized, helping to improve the quality of life for the people.

On the cultural front, the "National Unity for Building a Culturally Rich Life" movement has spread widely, creating a spiritual foundation for development. The percentage of culturally exemplary families reached 96.7%, and 100% of villages and hamlets were recognized as culturally exemplary. Activities promoting education and talent development, and building a learning society, have flourished, reflecting the unique identity of this land known for its love of learning and filial piety.

Building a strong Party and political system.

The Hai Lang District Party Committee, with 49 grassroots party organizations and over 4,000 party members, has truly become the nucleus of comprehensive leadership. The study and emulation of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and style have spread to every party branch, every cadre, and every party member, becoming a guiding principle for action in all fields.

A sustainably developed rural area cannot exist without a solid foundation in security and defense. Hai Lang is a shining example of social order and safety, with many effective models such as "Skilled People's Mobilization" and "All People Protecting National Security" being implemented extensively and effectively. The construction of a comprehensive national defense posture linked to a people's security posture is carried out synchronously. Disaster prevention and rescue work is always prioritized, especially in the context of increasingly severe climate change.

The "Effective Mass Mobilization" movement is not just a slogan but has become a concrete method and approach in land clearance, environmental protection, and especially in harnessing the power of the people in the process of building and developing the homeland.

In 2025, Hai Lang will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its liberation. Looking back on the journey so far, it can be affirmed that this land, once ravaged by war, has risen strongly and confidently into the future. In the memory of every Hai Lang resident, whether far away or here, this land is not only their homeland but also a symbol of courage and unwavering faith. This memory belongs not only to the past but is also a flame of tradition, continuing to illuminate the path to a prosperous, civilized, modern, and more livable future than ever before.

Minh Tri

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/hai-lang-vuon-minh-phat-trien-194226.htm