Traveling from Chom Khau village to the center of Ngoc Chien commune, we were not only captivated by the rustic and peaceful beauty of nature, but also impressed by the "zero-cost" projects that bear the strong imprint of the community. These include well-maintained internal village roads, stone archways, and fences with decorative patterns made from pebbles... creating a unique appearance for this land.
One of the most talked-about "zero-cost" projects is the system of rural roads paved with concrete, reaching every village and hamlet. While in many mountainous areas, the rural road infrastructure criterion is one of the most difficult to achieve due to complex terrain, scattered population, and large investment costs, in Ngoc Chien commune, implementing this criterion was easier thanks to the involvement of the local Party committee and government, and the high level of consensus among the people.
During the period 2021-2025, over 850 households in the commune voluntarily donated more than 33,000 m² of land to build over 150 concrete roads, with a total length of over 100 km; expanded and concreted over 100 internal village roads, over 80 km long; and opened 27 internal field roads, over 25 km long. The rate of concreted roads leading to individual households reached 95%, with a total value of approximately 200 billion VND.
The road in Muong Chien 2 village was paved with concrete in 2020 but has deteriorated. When the government provided funding for upgrading, the villagers proactively donated 250 square meters of land to widen the road from 3 meters to 4 meters.
Mr. Cam Van Sun, Party Secretary and Head of Muong Chien 2 village, said: "The road upgrade has received strong support from the villagers. The new road makes travel more convenient, the village lanes are cleaner and more beautiful, and aims to attract tourists to the village's bonsai pine forest. In addition, the village has also received investment to build a new, spacious and clean cultural center. Everyone in the village is happy and excited."
From 2021 to the present, Ngoc Chien commune has received investment for the construction of many essential projects such as: the central market in Luot village; the commune police station; 2 official residences; 2 flood control embankment projects; 8 pedestrian bridges; the construction of 8 cultural houses; the expansion and upgrading of sports fields in all 15 villages; the construction of 2 kitchens for boarding students; and the installation of 680 poles and streetlights along internal village roads and alleys.
In addition, the commune is stepping up efforts to promote land clearance for the expansion of Provincial Road 109 from Dong Xuong village to the border of Yen Bai province and other roads leading to the villages and hamlets, with a total length of nearly 20km; and clearing land for the resettlement areas of Pu Danh, Cham Pong, and Giang Phong. The total cost amounts to tens of billions of VND, funded by state support and contributions from the people.
The people of Ngoc Chien commune are applying high technology to agricultural production.
Currently, Ngoc Chien commune has achieved 14 out of 19 new rural development criteria, with 5 criteria remaining unmet: irrigation; schools; income; education and training; and environment and food safety. The reasons for these unmet criteria include annual heavy rains and floods damaging irrigation infrastructure; one preschool not meeting national standards due to inadequate facilities; the main source of income for residents is corn, rice, vegetables, and hawthorn, but the unstable market results in low income; the commune lacks a centralized waste disposal site and a treated water supply system for domestic use.
Mr. Duong Xuan Nam, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ngoc Chien commune, said: The commune has developed a specific plan and roadmap for each year to complete the unmet criteria, while simultaneously developing Na Tau and Dong Xuong villages into advanced new rural villages. Based on this, the commune has set out specific tasks and solutions, focusing on completing difficult criteria such as income, irrigation infrastructure construction, environment, education and training… Emphasis is placed on propaganda work, raising awareness, and promoting the leading role of the people in implementing the new rural development program.
Regarding income criteria, the commune continues to create conditions for people to access preferential loans and loans for job creation to develop production. At the same time, it reviews areas lacking irrigation water to convert them to planting short-term crops with higher economic value. It promotes the shift in economic structure towards the development of clean agriculture and the application of high technology. The entire commune currently maintains the cultivation of nearly 2,000 hectares of crops; over 700 hectares of vegetables; 13 hectares of high-tech vegetable farming; and over 2,680 hectares of fruit trees. Along with that, the commune also focuses on developing livestock and poultry farming, especially the breeding of the indigenous Ngoc Chien green-necked duck; developing forestry economics associated with the cultivation of medicinal plants, ginseng, and salmon farming in Nam Nghep village...
Taking advantage of its year-round cool climate, natural hot springs, and majestic landscapes, Ngoc Chien commune focuses on developing community-based and experiential tourism. It promotes and encourages local people to upgrade spiritual tourism sites, improve unique and attractive landscapes, and emphasizes the preservation and promotion of traditional culture to attract tourists. Upgrading and building homestays and accommodation facilities, and improving the quality of tourism services are crucial to meeting the experiential tourism needs of visitors, contributing to increased income for the local population.
To meet environmental criteria, the commune has encouraged households to renovate their houses, fences, and gates; build sanitary facilities and hygienic livestock pens; and worked with the Son La Urban Environment and Services Joint Stock Company, Muong La branch, to implement waste collection and transportation in the area starting in May 2026. They have also promoted the efficient use of mini incinerators at home and the sorting of organic and inorganic waste, contributing to a green, clean, and beautiful living environment.
With the determination of the Party committee and the local government, along with the consensus of the people, Ngoc Chien is gradually completing the remaining targets, aiming to build an advanced new rural commune associated with sustainable tourism development by 2030.
Source: https://baosonla.vn/nong-thon-moi/ngoc-chien-no-luc-xay-dung-nong-thon-moi-9grpkX0vR.html
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