Paving the way for the development of the highlands.

In the highland communes of Phu Yen district, the changes in transportation infrastructure development are clearly noticeable thanks to the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas (Program 1719). Many inter-commune and inter-village roads have been paved, widened, and reinforced, opening up new development opportunities, creating momentum to boost socio-economic development, and improving the lives of ethnic minorities.

The road from Suoi Ga - Che Me village to the center of Muong Bang commune has been paved.

Implementing a two-tiered local government model, the Phù Yên area comprises three highland communes: Mường Bang, Suối Tọ, and Kim Bon. These communes have complex terrain, fragmented by high mountains and streams, making connectivity between residential areas difficult. Despite previous state investment, the transportation system remains underdeveloped, impacting travel, goods transportation, and the economic development of the local population.

In light of this situation, after the merger, the communes proactively reviewed the transportation system in their areas, took advantage of investment resources from the State, and intensified propaganda and mobilization efforts to encourage people to donate land and assets on the land, and contribute labor days, to expand road surfaces. Land clearance for transportation projects also received high consensus from the people, creating favorable conditions for the projects to be implemented on schedule.

Typically in Suoi To commune, the movement to collectively build roads is spreading strongly to every village. People have donated thousands of square meters of land, contributed money and labor to expand roads to the villages of Suoi Khang, Suoi Dinh, Pac Be A, and Pac Be B, with a total length of over 12 km. In addition, from the funding of Program 1719, the locality has prioritized investment in concreting the roads from Lung Khoai village to Suoi To village and from Suoi Khang village to Suoi Ngang village, with a total cost of 14 billion VND.

Officials from Suoi To commune inspect projects funded by Program 1719.

Mr. Sa Duc Toan, Chairman of the People's Committee of Suoi To commune, said: The commune is focusing on effectively utilizing investment resources to pave internal village roads, inter-village roads, and field roads according to the new rural criteria; striving to ensure that by 2030, over 90% of villages will have paved roads leading to their centers.

Recently, joy came to 85 households, comprising over 500 people of the Mong ethnic minority in Suoi Khang village, Suoi To commune, when 4 km of the dirt road leading into the village was paved with concrete. The Party Secretary and Village Head, Vang A Tong, said: "With the government's support in providing cement, the villagers donated land, contributed money and labor to build the road. Since the new road was built, travel has become easier, agricultural products can be sold at higher prices, and people's incomes have improved."

Funding from Program 1719 has also created new momentum for the development of transportation infrastructure in Muong Bang commune; many inter-village roads have been paved. These days, units and contractors are concentrating machinery on leveling the ground and constructing the road from Suoi Ga - Che Me village to the commune center, with a total length of 8.5 km. Mr. Tran Hai Thanh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Muong Bang commune, said: The road has a total investment of over 21 billion VND, with the People's Committee of the commune as the investor. To date, the project has completed the roadbed construction, poured concrete for culverts along the entire route; and cast drainage slabs, reaching 37% of the volume. The locality is closely coordinating with the construction unit to ensure progress, striving to complete and put the project into use in July 2026, contributing to raising the percentage of paved roads from the commune to the centers of the villages to 91.3%.

The people of Suoi Khang village, Suoi To commune, are cleaning up the village's internal roads.

Regularly present at the construction site to inspect and supervise the road construction, Mr. Phàng Giàng Páo, from Chè Mè village, Mường Bang commune, happily said: "The main village road has been paved with concrete, and the villagers are very happy. We hope that in the future, the government will continue to pay attention and support with cement so that the village can continue to upgrade some roads, serving production for the people and making the village look more beautiful."

It is evident that transportation is becoming a crucial driving force for socio-economic development in the highland communes. Implementing the medium-term public investment plan for the period 2021-2025 and the 2025 plan from the central government budget for Program 1719, five road projects have been approved in the highland communes of Phu Yen district, with a total capital of 72.9 billion VND. Currently, all five projects have completed the bidding process and are under construction according to schedule; aiming for completion in 2026. A review shows that all three highland communes of Muong Bang, Suoi To, and Kim Bon now have roads accessible by car to their commune centers, and nearly 80% of the villages have paved roads.

With the State's investment and support, especially Program 1719, and the consensus of the people, the muddy dirt roads in the villages of the highland communes in Phu Yen district are gradually being paved with concrete, shortening the distance between villages, creating increasingly convenient regional and inter-regional connections, expanding trade opportunities, promoting socio-economic development, improving people's lives, and contributing to building a new face for the highlands.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/nong-thon-moi/mo-duong-cho-vung-cao-phat-trien-oaaFv5avg.html