Unwearying footsteps
In March, the dry spring sunshine bathes the forests of Yen Minh and Phu Linh in golden hues. Amidst the peaceful life of the villages, the appearance of "green-uniformed soldiers" with smartphones in hand has brought about a transformation. These are the core members of the community digital technology teams, diligently carrying out the "digital literacy" revolution for ethnic minority communities.
In accordance with Plan No. 10/KH-UBND of the People's Committee of Tuyen Quang province on the deployment of community digital technology teams, "knowledge relay stations" have been established in communes and villages throughout the province. Here, young people act as a bridge, "translating" dry technological concepts into visual and easy-to-understand explanations.
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The Phu Linh Commune Youth Union assisted the family of Ms. Hoang Thi Luyen, Ban Thau village, in using online public services. |
Comrade Nguyen Tat Dat, Secretary of the Youth Union and Head of the Digital Technology Support Team in Hamlet 3, Yen Minh Commune, shared: “It’s not just about guiding people on installing VNeID or using online public services, but more importantly, helping people see that their phones are not just for making calls, but also tools for checking the weather, learning how to grow oranges, raise fish, and protecting themselves in cyberspace. From there, people gradually overcome their hesitation towards technology, understanding that the digital environment is an extension of the arm that helps improve labor productivity.”
In Phu Linh commune, that spirit burns even brighter. With the motto "easy to understand - easy to remember - easy to do," the commune's Youth Union has established three community digital technology teams with nearly 50 members. These young people have worked tirelessly, day and night, going from street to street, house to house, persistently campaigning and providing hands-on support to the people.
Ms. Hoang Thi Luyen, 65 years old, from Ban Thau village, happily shared: “My legs are getting old, and before, every time I went to do paperwork or administrative procedures, it was a real struggle. Now, the young volunteers in their green uniforms come right to the village and my house to guide me. They said that this phone is now a 'marketplace,' a 'virtual official.' Just a few taps and you can submit your application; it's quick and convenient! We no longer have to travel so far, and if we encounter any problems, the young volunteers can solve them right away. It's incredibly convenient.”
Comrade Nguyen Thai Thuy, Secretary of the Phu Linh Commune Youth Union, shared: “The digital economy is not something overly complex; it starts with changing people's habits. Previously, remote villages were a geographical barrier and a source of information isolation. But now, as each citizen learns to use public services and uploads images of agricultural products online, we are redefining the concept of 'distance' through the digital economy. Distance is no longer measured by kilometers of mountain roads, but by the speed of internet connection and the agility of thinking.”
Thanks to these tireless "digital strides," the rate of online public services at levels 3 and 4 in remote and rural areas has increased significantly. Technology is no longer the privilege of urban areas; it has taken root even in the most remote villages of Tuyen Quang.
Bringing agricultural products to a wider market.
After leaving the digital training sessions, we went to Hong Son commune to meet Trinh Cong Quyet, a Gen Z young man born in 1999, from Phu Thi village.
Quyết once had a stable job in the city, but the desire to get rich in his hometown drew him back. In 2019, with a borrowed capital of 200 million VND and despite his family's skepticism, Quyết started raising French pigeons.
“When I first started, I was clumsy, the pigeons died, then the Covid-19 pandemic hit, prices dropped sharply, and I lost over 100 million dong. There were times when I felt very discouraged, but I thought, I'm young, if I don't do it now, when will I?” - Quyết recalled.
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Trinh Cong Quyet (far left), a Gen Z youth, is a successful entrepreneur in Hong Son commune. |
The turning point came when Quyet realized he couldn't sell his products the traditional way – "sell to whoever buys." He began applying technology to production and marketing. Quyet invested in an automated egg incubator system, learned how to mix nutrients online, and, most importantly, used social media to promote his products.
Currently, Quyết's farm maintains 1,500 pigeons. On average, he sells hundreds of breeding and commercial pigeon pairs each month, earning a profit of 10-15 million VND. Quyết's story is not only a lesson in willpower but also proof of the ability of young people in the highlands to master "core technology" in agriculture.
Digital transformation is revolutionizing marketing and sales, turning young people like Key Opinion Consumer (KOC) and TikTokers into inspiring "ambassadors," bringing agricultural products and traditional goods from the fields to social media and e-commerce platforms. In Tuyen Quang, the story of Thi De, a young Mong woman, is a testament to the intersection between local culture and digital technology.
Entering her fifth year pursuing her dream of weaving from flax, the 23-year-old girl from Nhèo Lủng village, Đồng Văn commune, has transformed flax yarn and linen fabric into a "cultural ambassador," carrying the spirit and voice of the Hmong people of the rocky plateau to the world.
Dế was the first person in her village to attend university. On her graduation day from Hanoi University of Culture, she carried with her the aspiration to revive the Hmong linen weaving craft. She established the "Hemp Hmong Vietnam" workshop right at the foot of Thai Phin Tung slope.
But Dế didn't wait for casual tourists. She transformed herself into a KOC (influencer consumer) on social media. Dế photographed and videotaped the 12-step process of hand-weaving linen, telling stories about Hmong culture in English to reach international customers.
"I don't want linen to just sit in closets or museums. Linen needs to thrive in modern life. I write emails in English to Thailand and Japan, and I personally take the fabric abroad to find partners," Dế confidently shared.
Currently, Dế's workshop not only provides employment for many local women with an income of 4 million VND/month but has also become a "living museum". Visitors can participate in workshops and experience yarn weaving and indigo dyeing.
The digital revolution leaves no one behind. From eradicating technological illiteracy to launching international startups, Gen Z in Tuyen Quang is transforming geographical barriers into competitive advantages and turning undeveloped land into invaluable digital resources. This is a powerful testament to the spirit of "wherever youth are needed, youth will be there; whatever is difficult, youth will overcome it" in this revolutionary homeland.
Notes: Ly Thu
Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202603/xung-kich-chuyen-doi-so-80c6f75/
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