From hardship to consensus - The story of land clearance in Trang Da hamlet

Implementing the Canh Tang Reservoir Project - the largest irrigation project in the North. Xom Trang Da, Yen Phu Commune, Phu Tho Province is one of the residential areas that is directly and most deeply affected. 64 households with 180 people had to relocate all their houses, along with 183 other households affected by the reclamation of hundreds of hectares of land of all kinds and families had to relocate 169 ancestral graves to make way for the project.

With their great and important contributions, at the inauguration ceremony of Canh Tang Lake project, many households in Trang Da hamlet were commended and rewarded by provincial leaders.

According to Mr. Bui Van Chin, Head of Trang Da hamlet, the work of propagating and mobilizing people in the initial stage encountered numerous difficulties. When it was first implemented, many people did not fully understand the State's policies and guidelines, and were worried and even skeptical. "Some households made unreasonable demands in compensation and support for site clearance. Some even incited people not to attend meetings or listen to propaganda. Some households closed their doors and refused to receive officials when they came to persuade them," Mr. Chin recalled. The situation was so tense that, although the project started in September 2019, the site clearance work was almost "at a standstill". Only a few households were exemplary officials and party members who received compensation and handed over the site. The majority of the remaining households were determined to stay.

Mr. Bui Van Chin, Head of Trang Da hamlet, shared about the difficult period in mobilizing people to agree on land clearance for Canh Tang Lake project.

Faced with that situation, the Party Committee, the government of Yen Phu commune and the Front Working Committee of Trang Da hamlet determined that to succeed, they must "go to every alley, knock on every door, and talk to every person". The working groups of the hamlets and communes persistently mobilized. Starting with prestigious people, village elders, and clan leaders. With sincerity and village and hamlet affection, the commune and hamlet cadres gradually untied the "knot" in people's awareness.

Mr. Bui Van Nat is a pioneer in the "movement" of handing over land, which is mentioned as a shining example. Although at that time, the Dong Xe resettlement area was just a newly filled land, without electricity, water, or roads... But Mr. Nat and his family members still voluntarily moved and built temporary shelters to give up land for the project. Following Mr. Nat's family, the households of Mr. Bui Van Tien, Bui Van Ninh, Bui Van Chuan, Bui Van Danh, Bui Van Dinh, Bui Van Bun, and Bui Van Ha followed suit. That pioneering action created a strong ripple effect in the community. In just a short time, the remaining 56 households within the scope of the main dam of Trang Da hamlet also moved to new places of residence, despite the poor infrastructure. Mr. Bui Van Sinh, a prestigious person in the hamlet, shared: When they first moved to the resettlement area, life was difficult in every way. But people united, helped each other rebuild their houses, shared every meal and every bucket of water. Thanks to that, the difficulties gradually passed, and life stabilized again.

Mr. Bui Van Sinh (right), a prestigious person in Trang Da hamlet, has made positive contributions to changing people's thinking and creating consensus in the land acquisition work for Canh Tang Lake project.

Not only moving houses, the people of Trang Da hamlet also agreed to move their ancestors' graves, which is an important matter in the spiritual life of the Muong people. In just one day, 169 graves were moved to new burial places. Some families moved dozens of graves at the same time. The hamlet chief Bui Van Chin moved 27 graves in one day; the hamlet chief Quach Van Thon moved 30 graves. These numbers show a high spirit of consensus, putting the common interest above the private calculations of each family.

With that consensus, the project progress was accelerated. On August 19, 2025, Canh Tang Lake project was officially inaugurated and put into operation. People have begun to clearly feel the initial effects of this project. The lake has a capacity of over 90 million ^m3 of water, ensuring irrigation for 6,460 hectares of cultivated land of communes in the region, providing domestic water, reducing floods in the rainy season, supplementing water in the dry season, and at the same time opening up the potential for tourism and service development. For the people of Trang Da hamlet, the journey of relocation and resettlement, although arduous, ended with sweet results. New, spacious houses, clean concrete roads, full electricity and water, and cultural houses were built right in the resettlement area. People are assured with their new life, and their spiritual life has also been significantly improved. Mr. Bui Van Chin emotionally shared: When we saw the project gradually taking shape, we understood that our sacrifice was worth it. From being apprehensive, people are now very proud to have contributed to building a key national project.

New, spacious houses and clean concrete roads in the new residence are improving the lives of the people in Trang Da hamlet.

The model of propaganda, mobilization and implementation of relocation and site clearance in Trang Da hamlet has become an advanced example, learned and replicated by Yen Phu commune and neighboring localities. Not only helping to speed up the construction progress of Canh Tang Lake, the model also creates trust, arouses the spirit of solidarity and unanimity among the people, which is a key factor to ensure the success of major projects in the future.

From a rural area that once had a strong “land-keeping” mentality, Trang Da hamlet has now become a symbol of change. A place where people dare to abandon the old to embrace a new future. And it is these simple people who have contributed to making the “water of Canh Tang Lake” flow forever, bringing with it faith, vitality and aspiration for sustainable development for a vast land that is becoming increasingly prosperous.

Manh Hung

Source: https://baophutho.vn/tu-gian-kho-den-dong-thuan-cau-chuyen-giai-phong-mat-bang-o-xom-trang-da-240755.htm