It was during that time of hardship, suffering, and loss that the people of Lai Dong rose up to defend their homeland with indomitable will and fervent patriotism. The resounding drumbeats echoing through the mountains and forests became a rallying cry, urging the villagers to rise up and fight the enemy, achieving resounding victories. That heroic spirit has become a part of history, crystallizing into a revolutionary heroic tradition that generations of Lai Dong people have preserved and promoted in building a more prosperous, beautiful, and civilized homeland.
Lai Dong commune is experiencing a period of rapid development and prosperity.
The drums beat to defeat the enemy, the heroic spirit of nation-building.
Even the elderly in the village today can no longer accurately pinpoint the locations of the former Đồng Thân, Đồn Mù, and Đồn Phắt military outposts and airfields amidst the endless green rice fields. Time has blurred the traces of war, but the memories of those painful and heroic years live on in the stories told by the elderly whenever they gather around the fireplace.
In those rice paddies, heavy with grain, in October 1947, the village guerrillas dug booby traps and ambushed the enemy, killing one French soldier and wounding many others during a French sweep operation. Particularly, over four days, from October 5th to 8th, 1951, at the locations of Lo Ren Hill, Na Reo Hill, and Queo outpost in Phat hamlet, the people and soldiers of Lai Dong fought valiantly, killing 291 enemy soldiers and seizing over 200 weapons of various types.
Amidst the vast mountains and forests, the rhythmic beat of the five-drum ensemble resounded like thunder. From the bushes and hillsides, guerrilla fighters suddenly appeared, delivering lightning-fast blows to the invading army. This sound not only instilled courage in our soldiers and people but also became a haunting nightmare for the enemy. Years later, people still recount stories of how the expeditionary troops were terrified and hesitant to launch any sweeping operations at the sound of the war drums.
Mr. Ha Xuan Huyen, former Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Lai Dong commune (formerly), proudly stated: “The contributions of the army and people of Lai Dong have been recognized by the Party and the State with many prestigious awards. In 2005, the commune was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces during the resistance war against France. Not only brave in combat, Lai Dong also excelled in labor and production, and in building socialism in the North. In 1966-1967, the locality was honored to receive the Anh Troi Emulation Flag for its outstanding achievements in developing agricultural cooperatives, credit, and commerce.”
From the sound of drums that rallied the villagers to fight the invaders in the past, that echo has resonated throughout history, becoming a source of spiritual encouragement for generations of Lai Dong people to unite, work diligently, and build a prosperous life.
The former military outposts and makeshift airfields have now become fertile fields.
The sound of a new day
Following its merger with Dong Son, Tan Son, and Kiet Son communes, Lai Dong commune has a natural area of over 108 km2 with a population of over 16,000 people, of which ethnic minorities account for more than 94%. The land is predominantly agricultural, with most people still closely connected to farming and forest life. In recent years, the local Party committee and government have identified the development of commercial agriculture as a key direction to increase production value and improve people's lives. Based on this sound orientation, many effective production models have been implemented, contributing to increasing the value per unit of cultivated land.
This year's spring harvest coincided with a period of intense heat. Even before dawn, the rice paddies, their stalks turning a lemon-yellow, were bustling with people and filled with laughter. While busily harvesting rice in her field in Dong Hamlet, Ms. Ha Thi Thanh from Zone 2 happily shared: “This year we have a bumper crop, with an estimated yield of two quintals per sao (approximately 200 kg per 1000 square meters). My family has three sao of rice paddies, but we have plenty of rice to eat and even some left for livestock. With the spring and summer crops following each other, good seeds, and high yields, for many years now no one in the commune has gone hungry or missed a meal. Life is getting better every day…”
This year, Lai Dong commune planted 542 hectares of rice during the spring crop season, with an expected yield of 56 quintals/hectare, resulting in a total production of over 3,000 tons. Along with rice, the area planted with corn, vegetables, peanuts, potatoes, and cassava remains stable, ensuring food security and providing abundant feed for livestock development. The potential of the hilly and forested land is also being effectively exploited. This year, the commune aims to plant 433 hectares of concentrated forest and 30,000 scattered trees. The vast green hills of acacia, bodhi, and cinnamon trees not only contribute to environmental protection but also become a valuable asset, helping many households escape poverty and gradually achieve prosperity.
Along with agriculture, the industrial, handicraft, trade, and service sectors continue to develop, creating more jobs and income for the people. The appearance of the highland rural areas is changing noticeably. It is encouraging that the achievements of economic development are creating a solid foundation for the comprehensive development of socio-cultural fields. Currently, all 12 schools in the area meet national standards. The quality of education is constantly improving. In particular, the "Drumbeat for Studying" movement, effectively maintained in residential areas, has become a beautiful local tradition. If the drumbeat of yesteryear was a signal to rise up and fight the enemy, today it resonates to remind children to be diligent, study hard, cultivate knowledge, and aspire to success.
The healthcare sector continues to receive investment and attention. The commune maintains national standards for healthcare; the rate of people participating in health insurance reaches 99%. Cultural, artistic, and sports activities are developing strongly. Folk art clubs are regularly maintained, contributing to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the Muong people. The rate of culturally exemplary families is over 86%.
Mr. Ho Si Manh, Chairman of the Lai Dong Commune People's Committee, affirmed: “Rapid and sustainable socio-economic development is the central and continuous task of the Party committees, government, and people at all levels. In the coming time, we will focus on mobilizing maximum resources to complete and exceed the main targets and key tasks set forth in the Resolution of the Commune Party Congress, term 2025-2030, and the socio-economic development plan of the Commune People's Committee. Leveraging existing potential and strengths, the commune will accelerate the transformation of the agricultural and forestry economic structure to increase people's income; unlock resources and promote economic development in conjunction with the effective implementation of national target programs. At the same time, we will strengthen efforts to attract potential investors to invest in areas where the locality has advantages...”
The biggest concern in Lai Dong right now is the persistently high poverty rate (12.9%). Although agriculture has been identified as a key sector and a strength of the locality, sustainable and effective production and consumption chains have yet to be formed within the commune; the application of science and technology in production remains low... therefore, the results are not truly high and do not match the potential. However, looking back at the past, the people of Lai Dong today have reason to believe in the future. Because on this land, generations of ancestors overcame the bombs and bullets of war, achieving glorious victories with willpower and courage. That spirit will continue to be transformed into a driving force for development, into the aspiration to build a prosperous and happy life.
Amidst the majestic mountains, the drums of Lai Dong still resound. No longer the battle drums of yesteryear, but the drums of a bountiful harvest, of brightly lit classrooms, and of new constructions springing up in this revolutionary homeland. This resonance blends with the rhythm of renewal, urging every citizen to continue to unite and work together to build an increasingly prosperous and beautiful homeland.
Cam Ninh
Source: https://baophutho.vn/ren-vang-tieng-trong-lai-dong-255615.htm
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