Model rural commune
One day in mid-May, along the road connecting National Highway 46 to the center of Kim Lien commune (Nghe An province), a stream of people and vehicles made their way to the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh . After the first summer rain, the sky seemed higher and bluer. On both sides of the road, golden rice fields stretched endlessly. In that peaceful setting, Hoang Tru, his mother's hometown , and Lang Sen, his father's hometown, remained as simple as ever. The thatched roofs, the rows of betel nut trees in front of the gate, the lotus pond in the yard… all evoked memories of the childhood of the nation's outstanding son – President Ho Chi Minh.
On June 16, 1957, after more than half a century away from his homeland, President Ho Chi Minh returned to visit Sen village, much to the emotion of his fellow villagers. Rejoicing at the changes in his hometown after the country gained independence, he instructed: "Kim Lien should strive to become a model commune, and I will come to visit." For nearly 70 years, this instruction has served as a driving force for the Party Committee, government, and people of Kim Lien to unite in building an increasingly prosperous and beautiful homeland.
Mr. Le Trung Hoa, Chairman of the People's Committee of Kim Lien commune, said that the locality was one of the first communes in the former Nam Dan district to achieve the new rural standard in 2014. In 2020, Kim Lien was further recognized as an advanced new rural commune, and in 2023 it became a model new rural commune of Nghe An province. "We determined that building a new rural area is not only about improving infrastructure but also about enhancing the material and spiritual lives of the people, preserving cultural identity, and building a civilized and modern living environment," Mr. Hoa shared.
The changes today are clearly evident in every wide concrete road, well-maintained residential area, and comprehensively invested schools and health centers. The electricity, road, irrigation, and cultural infrastructure systems are increasingly complete, creating a new face for this revolutionary homeland. In particular, despite its rapid development, Kim Lien still retains the characteristic tranquility of a Nghe An village. Centuries-old houses, rows of green tea bushes in front of the gates, shady gardens, and the warm, friendly way of life of the people are still preserved as an integral part of the homeland's soul.
According to Mr. Thai The Kien, Head of the Economic Department of Kim Lien Commune, by 2025, the average per capita income in the locality will reach approximately 72 million VND/person/year, and the poverty rate will decrease to 0.31%. The economic structure will shift in a positive direction, gradually reducing the proportion of agriculture and rapidly increasing trade, services, and tourism. Along with economic development, Kim Lien pays special attention to preserving traditional cultural values. The folk songs, the Sen Village festival, historical relics, and beautiful customs of the homeland are preserved and promoted in conjunction with the development of community tourism.
Lotus from Uncle Ho's homeland – from cultural symbol to economic product.
May is also the season when lotuses bloom profusely in President Ho Chi Minh's hometown. The vast lotus ponds throughout Kim Lien not only create a distinctive beauty for the area but also open up new economic development opportunities for the local people. Many areas previously used for rice cultivation and aquaculture have been converted to lotus farming. Beyond serving the landscape and tourism, the lotus is gradually becoming a key crop that brings high economic value.
Amidst the fragrant lotus fields, Mr. Pham Kim Tien, Director of the Sen Que Bac Agricultural Cooperative, is widely known as a pioneer in turning lotus into a branded commodity. After many years of struggling far from home, Mr. Tien finally decided to return to his hometown to start a business with the very flower associated with his childhood and the memories of President Ho Chi Minh's homeland. "Lotus is not only a cultural and historical value, but it can also create many valuable products if properly invested in," Mr. Tien shared.
From seemingly ordinary lotus seeds, leaves, and roots, his facility has developed dozens of processed products such as lotus tea, lotus essential oil, dried lotus seeds, lotus powder, lotus heart tea, etc. Currently, the facility has 20 lotus-based products, 11 of which have achieved OCOP 3-star and 4-star standards. Products under the brand "Sen Que Bac" (Uncle Ho's Homeland Lotus) not only serve tourists but are also available in many provinces and cities nationwide through a distribution system. Each year, this model generates tens of billions of dong in revenue and creates stable jobs for many local workers.
Besides lotus flowers, many experiential tourism and community-based tourism models associated with the culture of Lotus Village are also being developed by the local authorities. Visitors to Kim Lien today come not only to visit President Ho Chi Minh's birthplace but also to experience the traditional village atmosphere, enjoy local specialties, and learn about the cultural life of Nghe An province. Developing the economy while preserving historical and cultural values will be the main direction in the future to create sustainable livelihoods for the people.
Following the administrative reorganization, the new Kim Lien commune was formed by merging the communes of Kim Lien, Hung Tien, Xuan Hong, Nam Giang, and Nam Cat. After the merger, the locality covers an area of over 61 square kilometers with a population of nearly 55,000 people. The locality is aiming for sustainable development based on science and technology and digital transformation.
The opening ceremony of the 2026 Lotus Village Festival, announcing the Decision recognizing Kim Lien as a National Tourist Area, on the occasion of the 136th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth, took place on the evening of May 18th at the Lotus Village stadium. This year's Lotus Village Festival will run from May 18th to 30th with many special activities.
According to the leaders of Kim Lien commune, in the context of Nghe An province promoting the application of science and technology, innovation, and comprehensive digital transformation, the implementation of the Project to build a model of a new rural commune associated with the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation at the commune level in Kim Lien in the period 2026-2030 is an urgent requirement. “This will be the foundation for modernizing management according to the two-tiered government model, improving the quality of service for people, businesses, and tourists, while effectively exploiting the local tourism potential,” Mr. Le Trung Hoa emphasized.
According to the plan, Kim Lien will gradually build a smart tourism ecosystem linked to historical relics, traditional craft villages, and distinctive local products. Digital platforms, smart tourism applications, promotion of OCOP products, and e-government will be implemented synchronously to create a breakthrough for this revolutionary homeland.
“The new development space opens up many opportunities but also places higher demands on management, planning, and sustainable development. However, with a tradition of unity, a spirit of overcoming difficulties, and pride in being the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh, the Party Committee, government, and people here are confident that they will continue to build Kim Lien into an increasingly civilized, prosperous, and beautiful place,” shared Le Trung Hoa, Chairman of the People's Committee of Kim Lien Commune.
Source: https://tienphong.vn/que-bac-hom-nay-post1844382.tpo
![[Photo] General Secretary and President To Lam presides over a working session with the Central Policy and Strategy Committee on the development of the materials industry.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/05/21/1779359935432_a3-bnd-3129-1412-jpg.webp)
![[Photo] National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man working with the Standing Committee of the Law and Justice Committee](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/05/21/1779378929214_ndo_br_1-4610-jpg.webp)
Comment (0)