New life in the heroic homeland

A corner of Tan Thanh town, Tan Thanh district seen from above (Photo: Kim Ngoc)

45 years of construction and development

Tan Thanh is one of the districts in the Dong Thap Muoi region of Long An province, with a natural area of 426km². During the resistance war against French colonialism, the district belonged to Tan An province, and during the resistance war against American imperialism, it belonged to region 4 of Kien Tuong province. The district was established under Decision No. 298/CP, dated September 19, 1980 of the Government Council, on the basis of separating a part from Moc Hoa district.

During the resistance war against French colonialism and American imperialism, this was an important area, holding a strategic corridor position connecting the Eastern and Western provinces of the South. The revolutionary movement developed early, the people wholeheartedly followed the Party, contributing human and material resources to the resistance war. Patriotic spirit, organizing political struggles, and military mobilization created a solid "base of people's hearts". The district organized 1,449 large and small battles, destroying 65 enemy posts and 2 large enemy bases, contributing to the whole country's complete victory in the Spring of 1975.

The achievements have been recognized by the State and awarded 5 heroic communes (now divided into 10 communes), 7 Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, 336 Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, 1,523 martyrs, 493 wounded and sick soldiers; 6 imprisoned cadres and 1,357 people with meritorious services to the revolution. Tan Thanh district was honored to be awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the President during the resistance war against the US to save the country. In 2020, the district continued to be awarded the First Class Labor Medal by the President for its contribution to the cause of building socialism and defending the Fatherland.

After 45 years of formation and development, Tan Thanh from a poor revolutionary base has gradually affirmed its position as a locality rich in tradition and aspirations to rise up. Accordingly, with low-lying terrain, crisscrossing canals and streams, the rainy season flooded the fields, the dry season was arid. Before 1980, this was an underdeveloped socio-economic area, sparsely populated, and transportation was mainly by waterway. During the difficult war, Tan Thanh was a strategic area, marking many heroic feats. The district has many historical sites such as the historical site of the Southern Resistance Party Committee Base and Administrative Committee, the historical site of Dong 41, the historical site of Kinh Bui Area, the historical site "The location of the establishment of the Political Agency of Military Region 8", the historical - cultural site of Go Giong Dung,...

Through the stages, Tan Thanh clearly defined its role as a key agricultural district of the province. The district focused on forming concentrated production areas, promoting mechanization, investing in transportation - irrigation - electricity - schools - stations. The recognition of meeting NTM standards at the end of the year
2024 is a milestone highlighting the district's 45-year journey of comprehensive development.

Former Secretary of Tan Thanh District Party Committee - Huynh Van Thung shared: “Tan Thanh in the early days of its establishment was really difficult. There was almost no infrastructure, the roads were difficult to access, the fields were flooded in the rainy season, the land was cracked in the dry season. In many places, cadres had to travel by boat all day to get there, and the people lacked everything. In that situation, the Party Committee, the government and the people of the district gradually overcame the difficulties, starting with the smallest tasks: digging canals, building roads, building medical stations, opening classes and mobilizing people to develop the economy together. Looking back after 45 years, we can clearly see the comprehensive changes: the rural infrastructure is spacious, agricultural production is developed, people's lives are improved, the appearance of the new rural area is evident every day. Today's achievements are the result of a difficult but proud journey".

Finish line of new rural district

Tan Thanh Bridge then and now (Photo: Local provided)

Up to now, 12/12 communes in the district have met the new rural standards, of which 5 communes have met the advanced new rural standards and Tan Thanh town has met the civilized urban standards. The satisfaction rate of people in the district with the results of new rural construction has reached over 99.75%. The total resources mobilized for new rural construction is over 2,200 billion VND, of which people, businesses and socialization have contributed over 573 billion VND. This is a testament to the spirit of "people know, people discuss, people do, people check, people benefit".

Ms. Tran Thi Cuc (65 years old, living in Nhon Hoa Lap commune, Tan Thanh district, Long An province) shared: “I have been attached to this land since I was a student, having to row a boat and plant rice by hand. Now the roads are spacious, cars can go to my house, the schools meet standards, medical care is complete,... Life changes every day, I am so happy!”.

In agriculture, Tan Thanh is at the forefront of converting from traditional production to high-quality rice. Currently, the district has an annual rice sowing area of over 77,000 hectares with an output of over 500,000 tons. Many models applying VietGAP, organic, water-saving, and emission-reducing production processes have been deployed. In particular, the district is actively implementing the Project on Sustainable Development of 1 million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030, aiming at sustainable development of the rice industry according to the circular economy.

Mr. Nguyen Van Lu (Tan Binh commune, Tan Thanh district) said: “In the past, everyone did their own thing when growing rice, and prices were unstable. Since participating in the Project on Sustainable Development of 1 million hectares of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation associated with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030, I have been trained in techniques, produced according to clean processes, and received support from cooperatives for purchasing. Rice is sold at a good price, profits are higher, life is stable, and I feel secure in sticking with the fields.” At the same time, the district also encourages farmers to expand and develop many crop conversion models such as jackfruit, lemon, durian, etc. Up to now, the total area of fruit trees in the district has reached more than 2,600 hectares.

Besides economic development, the district focuses on social criteria such as 100% of schools in the town meeting national standards; 99.6% of people participating in health insurance;... At the same time, models such as: Security cameras, Bright - green - clean - beautiful roads, Waste classification at source,... are focused on and implemented synchronously and effectively.

Standing Deputy Secretary of Tan Thanh District Party Committee - Nguyen Thi Truc affirmed: "Reaching the standards of a new rural district is not the destination but the foundation for the district to continue improving the quality of each commune and hamlet. The most important thing is to maintain consensus and proactive spirit among the people because the new rural area is of the people, by the people and for the people".

Along with the joy of the new rural area, Tan Thanh is also preparing for the stage of rearranging the district-level administrative units according to the Central policy. Although the future administrative boundaries change, the achievements have been a valuable foundation for the new model.

“We have proactively reviewed the organizational structure, population data, infrastructure, human resources, etc. to prepare for the operation of new communes. The spirit is not to let people suffer, not to waste the achievements of the entire political system,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Truc.

The year 2025 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of Tan Thanh district, which is also the year the district was recognized as meeting the standards of a new-style rural district. This is a moment to look back on the journey from a difficult swamp to a key rice-growing region. Along with the heroic revolutionary tradition, the strong transformation in socio-economics - infrastructure - people is proof of the "new vitality" in this heroic homeland./.

Bui Tung

Source: https://baolongan.vn/suc-song-moi-tren-que-huong-anh-hung-a197347.html