Previously, the more than 20-kilometer stretch from the center of Che Tao commune to Zone 2, encompassing the three villages of Hang Tay, Ke Ca, and Pu Va, had virtually no proper road access. The only way to reach these villages was on foot along winding trails through mountain slopes and dense forests. During the dry season, travel was relatively easy; but during the rainy season, it became extremely difficult. In many sections, pedestrians had to cling to cliffs, and children went to school covered in mud. Some sections were so steep that a single slip could send them tumbling down the deep embankment.
Transportation difficulties have created significant economic obstacles for people in the remote villages of Che Tao commune. Agricultural products are difficult to sell, children's education is challenging, and dropout and promotion rates are low. For this reason, the people here primarily rely on self-sufficiency in their daily lives.
"Before 2021, people had to walk for more than three hours to get to the commune center or take their children to school. On rainy days, transportation was almost paralyzed, forcing many students to miss school," shared Mr. Sung Say Lu, a resident of Ke Ca village. These simple stories clearly reflect the practical value that these small roads bring.
Che Tao is a particularly disadvantaged mountainous commune with a heavily fragmented terrain and a scattered population. Of its six villages, five are located far from the commune center, with the furthest village being over 24 km away. Therefore, building rural roads is no easy task. Large machinery is difficult to access, investment funds are limited, and many routes have to be constructed entirely manually. However, thanks to the determination of the local Party committee and government, and the unity of the people, by early 2021, small, narrow concrete roads were gradually being constructed.
Following the principle of "the State and the People working together," the State provided cement, while the people contributed labor, donated land, and provided additional funds to purchase sand and stone. The movement to build and pave the trails in Che Tao was vibrant. The elderly and women actively participated in digging and leveling the ground and mixing concrete. Young people in the villages took turns carrying sand and stone over distances of tens of kilometers to the road construction sites.
Mr. Sung A Lau, Secretary of the Party Branch of Hang Tay village, said: "When the plan to open and pave the trails so that motorbikes can travel and people can walk conveniently all year round was announced, the people were all very excited. With the roads, people have less hardship and difficulty than before."
The roads are only wide enough for one motorbike at a time; two motorbikes meeting require them to pull over to a passing point. But this manageable size is perfectly suited to the reality: steep terrain, narrow space, and limited resources. The work is done on a small scale but with certainty; quality is ensured at every stage of construction. Each meter of road completed means an extra meter of peace of mind for the people.
Since the roads were paved, the appearance of the villages has changed significantly. Children attend school more regularly. Although cars cannot yet travel on the roads, people can now use motorbikes to transport building materials for their houses and deliver goods to the villages. Every day, people can go to the market to exchange food and supplies; agricultural and forestry products are also more readily available for sale, contributing to an improved standard of living.
Previously, during each harvest of corn, rice, or cardamom, villagers had to carry sacks of produce down to the collection point, sometimes taking a whole day to complete. Now, motorbikes can reach even the fields near the villages, making the transportation of agricultural products faster and more convenient, significantly reducing costs and labor pressure for the people. Instead of "walking" as before, agricultural products travel along small concrete roads winding through the mountains and forests to reach their consumption points. As a result, the lives of people in remote villages have improved significantly.
These roads not only serve production activities but also carry profound social significance. When someone is sick, transporting them to the health station becomes much quicker and more convenient than before. At remote preschools, teachers no longer have to worry about slipping and falling on their way to class during rainy days. Cultural exchange activities, village meetings, and the implementation of policies and guidelines can be organized more promptly and conveniently.
Currently, Che Tao commune has over 58 km of rural roads, with the goal of gradually concreting inter-village and alley roads, prioritizing densely populated areas with potential for production development. Although resources are limited, with the motto of ensuring quality at every step and maximizing the local resources, many roads have been and are being extended year by year. By the end of 2025, only 4 km of rural roads in the commune will remain unpaved.
Mr. Giàng A Chua, Chairman of the People's Committee of Chế Tạo commune, said: "With the mindset of not waiting for or relying on state investment, the commune's Party committee and government have mobilized and propagated, thereby creating high consensus among the people. The people are ready to contribute labor and funds to jointly build the road."
When the roads were completed, there were no flags or decorations, only cheerful laughter and simple joy: from now on, the village had "concrete roads." That joy wasn't boisterous, but it was as enduring as the cement clinging firmly to the mountainside.
Viewed from above, the roads, less than a meter wide, wind like gray silk ribbons across the slopes. They are not as wide as highways, nor as bustling with traffic, but each road serves a significant mission: connecting transportation, promoting development, and strengthening people's trust in the Party's policies and the State's guidelines.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/noi-mach-giao-thong-tren-nui-doc-post893634.html
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