A new day in Thanh Xuan

HANOI: The final sections of the Ring Road 2.5, specifically the section between Nguy Nhu Kon Tum and Nguyen Trai, have been handed over to the construction unit, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Thanh Xuan ward.

On the land that was once the familiar alleyways of the centuries-old Nhan Chinh village, a modern road is gradually taking shape. And behind the square meters of land that have been cleared lies a special journey of responsibility, sharing, and aspiration for development.

As the rooftops recede into the distance

Over 39,000 square meters of land were acquired along the more than 950-meter stretch of the road. Nearly 700 households were affected. These figures clearly demonstrate the scale and complexity of a key transportation project in the capital. However, simply looking at the numbers makes it difficult to fully grasp what has transpired over the past five months on this land.

Many households have agreed to relocate their centuries-old houses to make way for the Ring Road 2.5 project. Photo: Quyet Thang.

It's not just about inventory records, compensation plans, or meetings that last until late at night. It's about homes that have been cherished for generations. There are courtyards that hold the memories of an ancient village on the outskirts of the city. There are betel nut trees, wells, and doorsteps that have witnessed the ups and downs of a family. And there are ancestral temples – places that connect with roots, places that preserve the memories of many generations of descendants.

The people of Nhan Chinh village understand the value of these things better than anyone else. Therefore, land clearance here has never been simply a matter of relocating physical structures. It is a shift of memories, a choice between the familiar of yesterday and the prospects of tomorrow's development.

Therefore, behind every land survey report and every approved compensation plan are very personal stories, the difficult choices of people who have to leave their ancestral homes to make way for a project of future significance.

Over the past few days, we've met many people with varying emotions as they face the moment of having to leave the place they've lived in their whole lives. Elderly people silently gaze at their old homes for the last time. There are families with multiple generations sitting together to make a decision. Some have been troubled because their ancestral church is located within the area designated for land clearance. Each case is a unique story, a unique circumstance, a unique sorrow.

The family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy (65 years old), residing at house number 24, alley 72, Chinh Kinh street, is a typical example. The land where her family lives is not only their residence but also the ancestral temple of their lineage, built around 1917 with a traditional five-bay tiled-roof architecture.

For over a century, the family has preserved many valuable Sino-Vietnamese documents, a will from the Duy Tan era, and cultural artifacts connected to their roots. Six families, spanning over 500 square meters, currently live together across multiple generations.

Not far from there, the family of Mr. Nguyen Gia Khanh (born in 1944) is also among those slated for relocation. Their family and land have long-standing ties to the local area, with their ancestral temple identified as having been built in the early 19th century.

"This house has stood for hundreds of years, a place where many generations have lived. Although we can't help but feel emotional about moving, we still support the general policy," Mr. Khanh shared.

A unique aspect of both families is that they both have multiple generations and households living together on the same plot of land, and they both own long-standing ancestral temples – places that preserve the spiritual and cultural values ​​of their lineage. However, with a spirit of prioritizing the common good, the families still chose to agree and contribute to ensuring the project is implemented on schedule.

Officials from Thanh Xuan ward visited residents' homes to disseminate information and encourage participation. Photo: Quyet Thang

Where belief becomes strength

Achieving that consensus was not the result of a few meetings or simple administrative decisions. It was the fruit of a persistent process of campaigning, dialogue, and working alongside the people for many months.

Mr. Nguyen Huy Cuong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Thanh Xuan Ward, shared that each official is an exemplary propagandist, staying close to the area, promptly grasping even the smallest changes to find solutions. Understanding the specific circumstances of each family, combined with the flexible application of compensation and support policies, has helped the working groups persistently persuade and create positive changes in the hearts of the people, towards the common goal of consensus.

During the peak days of land clearance work, the most familiar sight in Thanh Xuan was not large gatherings, but the quiet footsteps of people going through every alley. Local officials, community mobilization teams, Party members, and members of mass organizations visited each house daily, listening to people's concerns, explaining policies, and resolving difficulties.

There were dialogues that lasted for hours. There were meetings that took place in the evening. There were cases that required repeated persuasion. And there were also emotional moments when officials and citizens sat together, finding common ground.

What was remarkable about that journey was that Thanh Xuan did not choose to rush things through mere administrative orders. Instead, it combined political determination with public relations work, balancing the demand for progress with respect for the legitimate rights of the people.

The cleared site was handed over to the project by the ward. Photo: Quyet Thang.

Therefore, by the time the cleared land is handed over, what is noteworthy is not only the absolute completion rate but also the absence of hotspots and the prevention of gaps between the government and the people.

Mr. Do Quang Duong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Thanh Xuan Ward, said that the project passes through a long-established residential area, so the implementation process faced many difficulties, especially regarding resettlement. However, with the decisive direction of the city, all obstacles were gradually overcome. Ward officials continued working throughout holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year) to ensure progress, contributing to the success of the land clearance work for the project.

A special "land clearance machine" was operated with a special spirit. No backing down. No avoiding problems. No putting off today's work until tomorrow. That spirit transformed the city's policies into concrete results on the ground.

The outline of the 2.5 Ring Road passing through Thanh Xuan ward. Photo: Quyet Thang.

And so today, as the old houses have fulfilled their historical mission, and the new land awaits the first construction machinery, Thanh Xuan is also entering a new phase of development.

The 2.5 Ring Road will be more than just a transportation route. It will connect residential areas, expand urban development space, reduce traffic congestion, and create momentum for the future. But perhaps the greatest value the project leaves behind does not lie in the road width or the investment figures.

That value lies in the lesson of unity. It lies in how a community overcomes its own difficulties to strive for a common good. It lies in the people who have accepted leaving their homes to pave the way for development. And it lies in the belief that today's sacrifices will contribute to creating a new face for tomorrow.

A new day is beginning in Thanh Xuan. This new day is built upon cherished memories, preserved bonds of affection, and the unceasing aspiration for development in a region transforming alongside the capital city.

When the first vehicles roll along this future new route, every resident here will realize that they are not just witnesses to change; they are the ones who have contributed to that change.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/ngay-moi-o-thanh-xuan-d814427.html