New vitality from the villages

Smooth concrete roads stretching to even the most remote villages and hamlets, sturdy multi-story houses nestled amidst endless green foliage and fields of abundance... all affirm the new vitality emerging in the mountainous communes of Nho Quan district.

New, well-maintained rural roads in many highland communes of Nho Quan district. Photo: Ngoc Linh.

We arrived in Phu Long commune—a land of valleys, rocky mountains, and dense forests, bordering the Quynh Luu revolutionary base. The former "Dun Village" (now Hamlet 4, Phu Long commune), once considered a "difficult land," has undergone a complete transformation. The villages now boast a new appearance and renewed vitality amidst the mountains and forests.

In the spacious village cultural center, Comrade Nguyen Van Thuat, Head of Village 4, Phu Long Commune, said: "This used to be a particularly disadvantaged village in the commune, with scattered residents and backward farming practices. Thanks to the leadership, guidance, and support of all levels and sectors, the villagers have united, actively engaged in production, and boldly applied science and technology to develop a diverse range of crops. They have replaced simple, low -economic- yield crops like potatoes and cassava with high-yield, short-term industrial crops."

The once wild, overgrown fields of reeds have now been transformed into vast orchards of custard apples and pineapples; and the livestock pens and farms raise buffalo, cows, and goats, generating hundreds of millions of dong in income each year. Mr. Thuat, unable to hide his joy, told us: "In 2024, the average per capita income in the village will reach 62 million dong/person/year."

With the support of the State, the villagers contributed over 2 billion VND, donated 1,500 square meters of land, and thousands of man-days of labor to build the village's infrastructure. Through this process of striving, "Dun Village" has transformed miraculously, becoming a prosperous and vibrant rural area.

Like other once impoverished villages, the stories of many people in Bai Long village, Thach Binh commune, are no longer about a time when the villagers were hungry and lacked clothing. Instead, they talk more about developing the economy, building new rural areas, and their children's academic achievements. Because with each passing year, the poor village becomes more prosperous, and the lives of the people become more comfortable and well-off.

The folk art troupe of Quang Lac commune (Nho Quan district) practices performing gong music.

Comrade Vu Dung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thach Binh commune, said: Thanks to the State's policy, many projects in the village have been built, resulting in 100% of the main village roads being concreted, schools and health stations being invested in, people receiving healthcare, and all children attending school.

The positive changes in Hamlet 4 – “Dun Village”, Bai Long, and many other hamlets and villages in Nho Quan are proof of the correct policies of the Party and the State. With over 17.2% of the population being ethnic minorities, mainly the Muong people living in 9 communes of the district, in recent years, with the attention of the Party and the State, the strong involvement of local authorities at all levels, and the efforts of the people, the once barren lands have been completely transformed.

According to Ms. Duong Thi Thanh, Head of the Ethnic Affairs Department of the Nho Quan District People's Committee: Implementing the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2021-2025, along with specific projects and policies for ethnic minority regions, from 2021 to June 2024, Nho Quan district has invested in 8 projects and sub-projects to synchronize socio-economic infrastructure, with a total capital of nearly 119 billion VND.

Specifically, in implementing essential infrastructure investment projects to serve production and daily life in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, the district has been constructing and renovating 61 projects with a total investment of over 68 billion VND.

In addition, there are projects such as: housing and land support; support for sustainable agricultural and forestry production development; support for education and training development; preservation and promotion of the fine traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development; and investment support policies from the National Target Program for building new rural areas...

A view of Hamlet 4, Phu Long Commune (Nho Quan District). Photo: Ngoc Linh

With the State's prioritized investment through various programs and projects, infrastructure has been improved; the gap in living standards and average income between ethnic minority and mountainous areas and the district average has gradually narrowed. To date, all 7/7 communes in ethnic minority and mountainous areas of the district have met the standards for New Rural Development. Of these, 3/7 communes have achieved advanced New Rural Development status; and 16/89 villages and hamlets have achieved model New Rural Development status.

A new spring, with its renewed vitality and spirit, is arriving. Ahead lie many opportunities and challenges. We believe that with the attention of the Party and the State, along with the efforts and unity of the Government and the people, this will be a great driving force for the people of all ethnic groups in Nho Quan district to work together to build an increasingly prosperous homeland.

Thuy Lam - Minh Duong

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/suc-song-moi-tu-nhung-ban-lang-833527.htm