Springtime in Thuong Phuoc border region.

In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, returning to Thuong Phuoc commune, a border area in the north of Dong Thap province bordering the Kingdom of Cambodia, one can clearly feel the bustling pace of life. In the atmosphere of spring, the people of this border region welcome the new year with renewed spirit, new faith, and many expectations for the promising future ahead.

A corner of Thuong Phuoc market in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year).

The vibrant colors of spring fill the border crossing.

At Thuong Phuoc market, the golden hues of marigolds, chrysanthemums, and kumquat trees blend with the sounds of buying and selling, creating a vibrant spring scene. People are shopping for Tet early and are more prosperous than in previous years.

Ms. Cao Thi A, a small business owner selling ornamental plants at Thuong Phuoc border market, happily shared that this year the buying and selling atmosphere has been vibrant since very early on. To serve the diverse needs of the people, her family proactively planted marigolds and also went to Sa Dec Flower Village to import chrysanthemums, kumquat trees, Taiwanese chrysanthemums, etc.

"Thanks to the early surge in market activity, we're less stressed at the end of the year. Seeing people shopping happily and enthusiastically makes us happy too. We hope that after the merger, the border gate economy will develop even further so that people can feel secure doing business right in their homeland," Ms. Cao Thi A expressed.

Thuong Phuoc is home to the Thuong Phuoc International Border Gate (Thuong Phuoc commune), which, along with the Dinh Ba International Border Gate (Tan Ho Co commune), forms an important international border gate system of the province along a more than 50 km long border with Prey Veng province (Cambodia).

In the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), import and export activities through border gates proceeded smoothly. Vehicles transporting agricultural products, fertilizers, animal feed, construction materials, etc., were processed quickly, without any congestion.

Customs forces are working closely with border guards and relevant agencies, prioritizing expedited customs clearance for fresh agricultural products, ensuring quality and timely delivery.

According to the Customs Sub-department of Region XX, in 2025, the total number of customs declarations registered in the area will reach nearly 312,000, with import and export turnover reaching nearly 13.2 million USD; Dong Thap province alone will have nearly 237,000 declarations with a turnover of over 10.8 million USD. Budget revenue in 2025 is expected to exceed 1,634 billion VND, surpassing the assigned target.

Goods transportation through the Thuong Phuoc International Border Gate proceeded smoothly in the days leading up to Tet, contributing to boosting trade and stabilizing the border region's economy.

Stable import and export activities not only contribute to boosting trade growth and increasing state budget revenue, but also create a sense of security for small traders, businesses, and farmers in border areas as they enter the new year.

A shift in development thinking.

Along the border patrol route in Hamlet 1, Thuong Phuoc Commune, the atmosphere of spring is present in the fields where crops are being harvested. Mr. Ha Van Oai, Head of the Border Self-Management Team No. 2, said that this year's production situation is relatively favorable, prices are stable, and people expect the harvest of the Year of the Horse to yield positive results.

His family lives right next to the patrol road, farming while also cooperating with the authorities to protect the border and boundary markers. "Even during Tet (Lunar New Year), we still maintain patrols and cooperate with the Border Guard to maintain security and order, so that people can enjoy the spring festivities with peace of mind," Mr. Oai shared.

The image of people simultaneously engaging in production and maintaining close ties with the border and boundary markers has become a distinctive feature of this region. In the warm spring atmosphere, the sense of civic responsibility on the front lines of the Fatherland is further affirmed.

Alongside the development of the border gate economy, the Party Committee and People's Committee of Thuong Phuoc commune have been actively involved in improving the lives of the people. With the motto "leaving no one behind," the locality has thoroughly reviewed all eligible families receiving social welfare benefits, poor households, near-poor households, and elderly people living alone to provide timely support and Tet gifts; at the same time, they have mobilized businesses and philanthropists to join hands in caring for the material and spiritual lives of people in the border area.

According to Mr. Huynh Thanh Phu, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thuong Phuoc commune, the first spring after the merger holds special significance for the locality. Besides ensuring social welfare, the commune is focusing on stabilizing the organizational structure, maintaining security and order, and creating a favorable environment for production and business activities.

We have identified the development of the border economy as one of our key tasks in the coming period. Recently, the locality organized an investment promotion conference, signed memoranda of understanding with investors; developed a plan to improve the criteria for new rural areas, promoted participation in the 1 million hectare high-quality rice project, invested in infrastructure serving production and trade, and gradually formed an urban landscape in the border region.”

Residents of Thuong Phuoc commune, dressed in traditional ao dai, participated in a parade along Nguyen Tat Thanh street, which featured numerous spring-themed displays from various hamlets and schools, creating a vibrant atmosphere during the first spring after the merger. Photo: Van Buu

According to Mr. Huynh Thanh Phu, the advantage of an international border gate and an improving transportation network will be an important foundation for Thuong Phuoc to attract investment, expand trade, and increase people's income. However, economic development must always be linked to maintaining national defense and security, ensuring long-term stability along the border.

The first spring after the merger in the Thuong Phuoc area was not only a change in administrative boundaries, but also a shift in development thinking.

From border markets and the smooth flow of goods across the border, to the lush green fields beside the patrol routes and the silent footsteps safeguarding sovereignty , everything blends together to create a warm and steadfast springtime picture on the front lines of the Fatherland.

MY LY

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/mua-xuan-o-vung-bien-thuong-phuoc-a236890.html