Thang Mo steps confidently into spring.

When the peach blossoms begin to bloom, scattering their vibrant pink hues across the jagged rocky slopes, it's a sign that spring has arrived at the border commune of Thang Mo. This spring, Thang Mo not only boasts the rich aroma of corn wine but also brimming with joy at a life transformed by the socio-economic development policies and social welfare support programs of the Party and State.

The transportation infrastructure in Thang Mo commune has been comprehensively invested in, making travel convenient for the local people.

The Party's will aligns with the people's aspirations.

Leading us along the smooth concrete road winding around sturdy houses, Mr. Giang Mi Chu, the head of Chang Lo village, couldn't hide his emotion: Chang Lo village has 125 households with 764 inhabitants, comprising five ethnic groups: Mong, Pu Peo, Han, Co Lao, and Giay. Sipping a warm cup of spring tea, Mr. Chu reminisced with a touch of sadness: “More than 10 years ago, Chang Lo was a name synonymous with poverty and hunger. The villagers' lives revolved around their corn fields on the rocky slopes, relying on rainwater for one harvest a year. When the dry season came, frost covered the mountains and forests, the corn wouldn't sprout, and hunger lurked. Poor transportation and a lack of clean water made the dream of a prosperous life seem so far away.”

However, that bleak picture is now a thing of the past. Thanks to national target programs, Chang Lo has received significant support. With funding exceeding 3.3 billion VND, the village has built 2.5 km of rural roads, a spacious cultural center, and a clean water system. To date, the poverty rate in Chang Lo has decreased by over 5% annually.

The changes in Chang Lo in particular and Thang Mo commune in general did not happen naturally. They are the result of a persistent process of "putting the people first" by the local Party committee and government. 2025 marked a significant milestone when the commune completed 20 out of 23 targets, achieving and exceeding the plan. The brightest highlight is the administrative reform – considered a "bottleneck" in this mountainous border region. With 99.2% of applications processed ahead of schedule, Thang Mo has risen to 46th place out of 124 communes and wards in the province in terms of service quality on the National Public Service Portal. A digital government, a government "serving the people," is clearly evident, bridging the gap between the lowlands and the highlands.

In particular, the Party Committee of the commune carried out the task of eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses as a "total offensive". 166 families who had lived for years in dilapidated conditions, exposed to the sun and rain, were able to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse in new, sturdy houses.

Sitting by the warm, glowing fire, Mr. Nu Mi La from Sung Chang village shared with emotion: “This Tet is the happiest of my life! Now that we have a sturdy house, we no longer fear the wind or the cold. My family will focus on raising cattle and planting more corn to escape poverty sustainably, so that the Party and officials won't have to worry about us forever.”

Residents of Thang Mo commune display agricultural products and local specialties.

Aspiration for prosperity

Identifying poverty reduction as a key priority, Thang Mo has chosen the development of commercial agriculture as its breakthrough direction. Agricultural extension officers are dedicated to working closely with the people, providing hands-on guidance and changing their production mindset. Community-based production development projects, such as commercial chicken farming and breeding cow farming, with a total budget of over 2.3 billion VND from national target programs, have created livelihood opportunities for 136 households.

Beyond developing agriculture and livestock farming, Thang Mo commune has also promoted labor export. In 2025, the commune successfully sent 255 workers to work in companies and businesses, exceeding the plan by 106%. This is the "shortest path" for people in border villages to escape poverty.

Entering 2026, Comrade Nguyen Xuan Trieu, Secretary of the Party Committee of Thang Mo Commune, affirmed: “In the new year of the Horse, we will not be complacent with what we have achieved. The Party Committee will continue to seriously implement the principles of Party organization and activities, promoting the spirit of unity, cohesion, decisiveness, and creativity. The top priority is to effectively carry out mass mobilization work, understand the thoughts and aspirations of the people to promptly resolve issues arising from the grassroots. In addition, the commune will focus on promoting socio -economic development solutions according to the objectives of the Resolutions of the Party Congress at all levels. This includes focusing on maintaining and improving the quality of achieved targets, while flexibly adjusting implementation solutions to strive to complete and exceed the economic, cultural, and social plans.”

The spring of the Year of the Horse has arrived. Amidst the melodious sounds of the mouth organ and the warm, intoxicating aroma of corn wine, Thang Mo today is not only adorned with peach blossoms but also with the springtime spirit of the people intertwined with the Party's will. A new year with renewed vigor, the hope for a prosperous and happy border region is more evident than ever before.

Nhat Minh

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202602/thang-mo-vung-buoc-vao-xuan-7d8096a/