Thổ Châu aspires to progress.

A panoramic view of the Tho Chau Special Economic Zone amidst the vast blue sea and sky. Photo: PHUONG VU

Under the leadership of the Party, especially the guidance of General Secretary To Lam - during his recent visit and working session with the Party Committee, government, and people of Tho Chau - Tho Chau is facing a historical opportunity for transformation.

Not only is Tho Chau unique as a coastal and island area, but it also serves as a crucial southwestern frontier of the country. After implementing a two-tiered local government model, despite a staffing shortage of over 50%, the officials, civil servants, and employees in Tho Chau have strived to ensure the smooth, effective, and efficient operation of the administrative apparatus, achieving a 100% digitization rate in the province. However, this situation of "filling in" for the remaining staff cannot continue indefinitely because the efficiency of such work is low.

Specifically in the State sector, Tho Chau still lacks a Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of the special zone in charge of the economic sector. Key specialized departments such as the Economic and Social Affairs Department, which, according to its functions and duties, is the "brain" advising on development, are actually only allocated about 1/4 of the required staff (5/19 positions), leading to overlapping responsibilities and civil servants having to shoulder positions for which they have no training or practical experience. For example, construction, transportation, industry and trade, environment, and monitoring power plants each require 1 civil servant; labor, culture, ethnic groups, religion, information, communication, science, technology, and state archives each require 1 civil servant; and internal affairs, education, training, health, agriculture, and monitoring public service units (schools, health stations) each require 1 civil servant…

Despite facing many difficulties, the officials and Party members in Tho Chau always strive to fulfill their duties. Mr. Le Van Ca, who has lived in Tho Chau since 1994, commented: "I have never seen officials work like they do now, even during breaks, on days off, and on holidays; the Special Administrative Region's Public Service Center even works at night to promptly serve the administrative needs of the people during the arrival and departure of passenger ships… it's truly admirable."

Tho Chau at dawn. Photo: GIANG TRAN

To date, no policies have been implemented to attract human resources to work in the Tho Chau Special Administrative Region's government apparatus. However, compared to incomes in many other places in Vietnam, working in Tho Chau currently offers a salary 100% higher. For example, civil servant A working in the State sector (without a leadership position) currently receives a salary coefficient of 3.0. On the mainland, their salary would be 8,775,000 VND (including: salary coefficient + 25% public service allowance), but if they work in Tho Chau, their salary would be 18,099,900 VND (including: salary coefficient + 25% public service allowance + 0.7% regional allowance + 50% special allowance + 30% support according to Resolution No. 01/2025/NQ-HĐND of the Provincial People's Council).

Acknowledging the dedication and encouraging civil servants to leave their families and relatives in other cities and localities to work in the remote and challenging area of Tho Chau, General Secretary To Lam directed: “We must take care of Tho Chau from the most basic and essential things: adequate healthcare, solid education , and rich culture so that every citizen, every officer, every soldier, every child on this remote island will no longer be disadvantaged but will fully enjoy the right to development like any Vietnamese person on the mainland, so that we can have generations of ‘frontline soldiers, those who brave the waves and venture out to sea’ for the Fatherland.”

Thổ Châu is calling, a call from the sea that is both heartfelt and solemn. We appreciate the goodwill, kindness, and sincerity of everyone who comes to Thổ Châu, accompanying the local government and people to build Thổ Châu into a new shining light on the border of our Fatherland. Coming to Thổ Châu now means accepting shared hardships, accepting initial shortages in infrastructure, and together laying the first foundation stones for a great future. Come and endure the rainy days together, so that when Thổ Châu shines brightly, we can look into each other's eyes, smile, and say: "Together we have created a miracle."

GIANG TRAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/tho-chau-khat-vong-di-len-a471840.html