Khe Long Aspiration 2

Following the natural disaster, the timely support from the Party committee and government, along with the solidarity of the people, helped Khe Long 2 village in Mo Vang commune to strongly revive, gradually rekindling aspirations for progress in this mountainous region still facing many difficulties.

The storm that swept through at the end of September 2025 left long "cuts" across this land. More than 3 km of the only road leading to the village was severely damaged by landslides, isolating Khe Long 2. The kindergarten – where 42 Hmong children hoped to learn to read and write – was destroyed, leaving only crumbling walls. Two houses were completely swept away, and ten others were damaged by landslides. Fields were buried under mud, the land eroded, and the livelihoods of the people were severely affected.

The green has returned to the fields that were once buried under the soil.

In the people's memory, those were truly days of "empty hands." But it was precisely in those difficult times that the spirit of solidarity and the will to overcome adversity were rekindled more strongly than ever before.

Immediately after the natural disaster, with the involvement of Party committees, authorities at all levels, and supporting forces, the people of Khe Long 2 united and wholeheartedly embarked on the reconstruction journey. Every day, the village mobilized dozens of people to participate in clearing landslides, cleaning fields, sanitizing the school, and reconnecting water pipes to serve daily life and production.

Just a week after the disaster, the road to the village was cleared, ending its isolation. Two weeks later, 42 preschool children returned to school, albeit in a makeshift classroom set up in the yard of the village head, Song A Ho. Despite the many hardships, the teachers skillfully decorated the walls with pictures, and recycled learning materials and toys brought some joy to the children.

Faced with this situation, Mo Vang commune proactively connected with philanthropists and mobilized resources to restore the school as soon as possible. At the same time, they flexibly allocated the land intended for the village cultural center to prioritize the construction of classrooms.

The new school building, twice the size of the previous one, has opened up more space for learning and playing, creating better conditions for the holistic development of children.

After more than four months of construction, on February 1st, 2026, the new, spacious school building was officially completed. It includes two classrooms, restrooms, a kitchen, a storage room, and a fully equipped outdoor playground. With a size twice that of the previous building, the new school provides a safer and more conducive learning and play environment for children's development.

Teacher Pham Thi Son emotionally shared: "On the day the children returned to class, even though it was a temporary classroom, their eyes sparkled with joy and excitement, which made us even more determined. Now, teaching and learning in a new, more fully equipped school, we cherish it even more and tell ourselves that we must try even harder so that the children can have a complete childhood and a brighter future."

Alongside the restoration of education , people's lives are gradually stabilizing. New houses are being built to replace those swept away by the storm. The family of Ms. Vang Thi Ho, one of the households severely affected, is now settled in a sturdy house with a raised foundation and a solid roof.

Ms. Vang Thi Ho boldly opened a small grocery store to earn extra income and improve her life.

In her new home, essential household items were purchased and neatly arranged, creating a cozy atmosphere. Taking advantage of the space, Ms. Ho opened a small grocery store providing necessities for the local community. Although not large in scale, the store has become a familiar shopping destination, contributing to improving her income after a difficult period.

After the storm, my family lost almost everything, and at times we thought we couldn't recover. But with the support of the government and the help of our neighbors, we gradually stabilized our lives. Although we are still facing difficulties, we now have a direction and the belief to move forward," Ms. Ho shared.

On the fields that were once buried under mud, the villagers diligently reclaimed the land, gradually restoring cultivation and replanting new rice seedlings. Currently, 20 hectares of spring rice have sprouted and are thriving. Areas of hills and forests affected by landslides have also been replanted with young cinnamon trees. Children attend school regularly, and adults can work and produce with peace of mind. Smiles have returned to the faces of every resident of Khe Long 2. By the end of 2025, the village aims to reduce the number of poor and near-poor households by 8, bringing the multidimensional poverty rate down to 16.2%.

Beyond simply addressing the consequences of natural disasters, Khe Long 2 is aiming for longer-term goals. Among these, concreting 2/3 km of the road leading into the village has been identified as a key task for 2026.

The people of Khe Long 2 village unanimously agreed to donate land and contribute labor to pave the road leading into the village with concrete.

Mr. Vang A Nhi, Secretary of the Party Branch of Khe Long 2 village, said: “Currently, the villagers have over 70 hectares of cinnamon trees, with an average annual yield of over 40 tons of cinnamon bark. If there is a concrete road leading directly to the area, traders will come to the village to buy the cinnamon, and the villagers will no longer have to transport it in individual trips as they do now. Cinnamon leaves and branches will also have an additional market, helping to increase income. Therefore, as soon as the plan was announced, the villagers all agreed and responded positively. All households were ready to donate land, cut down trees, clear the ground, and contribute labor to implement it. This is not just a road, but also opens up opportunities for the village's development.”

Having overcome natural disasters, Khe Long 2 has not only gradually restored its material life but has also been tempered spiritually. This is the strength of unity, faith in the leadership of the Party and the State, and the aspiration of the people here to rise up and take control of their own lives.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/khat-vong-khe-long-2-post897978.html