Ao Ech is a particularly disadvantaged hamlet in Chau Que commune, with 103 households comprising four ethnic groups: Mong, Dao, Kinh, and Phu La, with the Mong people making up the majority. Previously, the lives of the people were full of hardships, transportation was difficult, and production was small-scale, resulting in a consistently high poverty rate. However, thanks to the unity and hard work of the people, along with the attention and investment from the government, the hamlet's appearance has changed significantly.
Mr. Trang A Lang, head of Ao Ech village, shared: "To improve the lives of the people, during Party branch meetings and village meetings, the Party branch has focused on discussing solutions to promote economic development; in particular, promoting the leading and exemplary role of cadres and Party members in enthusiastically implementing family economic development models."
With clear guidance, Party members leading the way, and the people following, commercial livestock farming models have gradually become effective. People have focused on intensive farming and increasing crop yields, developing hill and forest economic models and integrated economic models, resulting in significant economic benefits.
To date, Ao Ech village has developed over 200 hectares of forestry, including over 100 hectares of cinnamon. The villagers have focused on intensive cultivation, maintaining 50 hectares of double-cropping rice, and have also developed 50 hectares of corn, 50 hectares of cassava, nearly 10 hectares of fruit trees, and over 10 hectares of various vegetables. Livestock farming has seen remarkable development, with a total herd of over 300 head of livestock and more than 3,000 poultry. As a result, many households in the village that were previously poor have now escaped poverty, and many have risen to become well-off.
From early morning, Mrs. Ban Thi An's family was busy harvesting cinnamon. Bundles of fragrant cinnamon bark filled the yard. Mrs. An shared: "Previously, my family relied only on a few acres of rice fields, so life was precarious. Thanks to the government's support policy of providing loans, I expanded cinnamon cultivation and combined it with livestock farming, so my income is stable. Currently, my family has developed nearly 50 forestry trees, including over 30 hectares of cinnamon, aged from 5 to over 10 years. Each year, when we harvest and sell the cinnamon, my family earns several hundred million dong. With improved conditions, I've built a new house, bought machinery for production, and provided my children with a good education."
Not only Mrs. An's family, but many households in the village have boldly switched to different crop structures, developing the hill and forest economy. Cinnamon continues to be the main crop helping people increase their income. In addition, people have also developed livestock and poultry farming, planted fruit trees, and gradually built sustainable household economies.
In recent years, the people of Ao Ech village have actively participated in the new rural development movement. The government provided cement, and the people contributed labor and donated land to build roads. As a result, many internal village roads have been paved, making travel and trade much easier than before. In 2025, the villagers contributed over 2 billion VND in cash and donated over 1,000 m² of land for new rural development, and to date, the percentage of rural roads in the village that have been concreted has reached over 80%.
Leading us along the concrete road that runs around the village, Mr. Trang A Lang - Head of Ao Ech village - said: "In 2026, we will continue to mobilize the people to contribute money and donate land to concrete 2 km of village roads to help people travel and trade goods more conveniently."
Along with economic development, the people of Ao Ech also focus on maintaining environmental hygiene and building a cultural life. Outdated customs and traditions are gradually being eliminated, and the people actively adopt a civilized lifestyle in weddings and funerals. Children of school age all attend school, and cultural, artistic, and sports activities are increasingly developing.
Mr. Vu Duc Thuan, Chairman of the Chau Que Commune People's Committee, said: Ao Ech village has seen many positive changes in economic development and new rural construction. Average per capita income increased from 20 million VND in 2020 to nearly 30 million VND in 2025, the poverty rate decreased from 70% in 2020 to less than 14% in 2025, the number of well-off households in the village is increasing, and people are conscious of striving to develop the economy and build their homeland.
Leaving Ao Ech (Frog Pond) as the afternoon sun faded behind the vast green cinnamon hills, we clearly felt the new life emerging in this highland area. Thanks to the unity of the people and the attention of the local Party committee and government, Ao Ech is changing day by day, opening up hope for an increasingly prosperous and civilized rural area.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/ngay-moi-o-ao-ech-post899147.html
![[Photo] Thousands of people participate in a run to show their support for the campaign "Sharing a common determination to build drug-free communes, wards, and special zones".](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/06/27/1782554475933_0673e2a3df7b5e25076a-8283-jpg.webp)
