Effectiveness of Program 1719

As one of only two localities in Lao Cai province to receive a Certificate of Commendation from the Prime Minister for outstanding achievements in implementing Program 1719, Thac Tien village previously faced many difficulties. However, thanks to the effective implementation of Program 1719, the lives of the people have changed significantly. Now, the entire village, with over 230 households, enjoys a relatively comfortable life; only 4 households remain poor (mostly due to illness and disability preventing them from working). Village roads and alleys have been paved with concrete, and most households have built spacious houses.

Mr. La Tai Quan's family owns 50 hectares of cinnamon trees, earning between 2 and 3 billion VND annually from sales.

"Previously, I didn't pay attention to economic development, so poverty plagued me for a long time. But since I learned to grow cinnamon, my life has become more prosperous and happier," Mr. Quan shared.

It's not just Mr. Quan; most people in the village grow cinnamon, with the smallest plots being 1-2 hectares, and larger ones 50-100 hectares. Notable examples include the households of Dang Nho Quyen and Dang Nho Vuong, who earn billions of dong annually.

In his spacious new wooden house, Mr. Giang A Sinh in Tau Duoi village, Tram Tau commune, could not hide his joy. The house cost over 250 million VND to build, including 60 million VND from the National Target Program and provincial support; 40 million VND from a loan from the Social Policy Bank under Government Decree No. 28; and 150 million VND from relatives who contributed money and materials. The house was solidly built according to specifications, in keeping with the traditions of the Mong ethnic group.

"I'm so happy and excited! Having a new, spacious house will be a great motivation for my family to focus on developing our economy and soon escape poverty," Mr. Sinh shared.

Right from the start of the implementation of Program 1719, Lao Cai province promptly streamlined its leadership and management apparatus, issuing comprehensive and timely appropriate mechanisms and policies. Lao Cai is one of the leading provinces in proactively developing policy frameworks and innovative approaches to meet practical requirements.

After nearly 5 years, the province has achieved many outstanding results: the poverty rate among ethnic minorities has decreased by an average of 6.35% per year, exceeding the target set by the Central Government; average income in ethnic minority areas is over 33 million VND/person/year, more than double compared to the beginning of the period; essential infrastructure has been significantly improved (100% of communes have roads leading to the center, 99% of households have electricity, and 93% of households have access to clean water). In particular, Lao Cai has completed the goal of eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses 6 months ahead of schedule, with 14,438 new, sturdy, and spacious houses.

Alongside infrastructure development, the province also prioritizes investment in education, considering it the "key" to sustainable poverty alleviation. Currently, the province has 17 ethnic boarding schools, 175 ethnic semi-boarding schools, and 147 schools with semi-boarding students; many schools have been modernized and have become centers of quality education in the highlands. Nearly 8,000 people have become literate during the past period.

The above results demonstrate the clear effectiveness of combining resources from Program 1719 with local education policies. Visiting Bac Ha Ethnic Minority Boarding Secondary and High School, one can easily see the spacious classrooms and boarding rooms. Nutritious meals and new books have become a motivating force encouraging highland students to nurture their dreams.

During the implementation process, Lao Cai has learned many valuable lessons. Firstly, it is essential to ensure transparency, openness, and public oversight to guarantee that policies reach the intended beneficiaries.

Secondly, by adopting a flexible approach, instead of relying solely on public land, the province has shifted to supporting the "legalization" of land use rights right at existing residences, helping thousands of households live in peace of mind.

Thirdly, diversify the model of domestic water supply to suit each terrain: low-lying areas should have centralized facilities, high-altitude areas should have dispersed reservoirs, and areas with streams should have pipelines.

Fourth, promote the role of the community in the management and operation of the project, reduce maintenance costs, and create a sense of shared responsibility and commitment.

The achievements of Program 1719 in Lao Cai are not just about numbers and projects, but also about the change in mindset and beliefs of ethnic minority people. The results and lessons learned will be an important foundation for Lao Cai to enter the 2026-2030 period with greater determination, mobilizing more resources, and striving to essentially eliminate poverty by 2030.

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