Anh Son Dong, a new stream on the left bank of the Lam River.

The left bank region is rich in tradition.

Spanning nearly 66 km², the Son Dong district lies along the Lam Giang River, encompassing both fertile riverside plains and sparse green forested hills. It includes both predominantly protective forests (primarily covered with reeds) and scattered production forests. Its abundant land resources, favorable climate, and extensive system of lakes and dams create conditions conducive to the development of commercial agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture. However, due to its distance from the district center and major trade routes, coupled with underdeveloped infrastructure and difficult transportation, attracting investment remains limited, and the lives of some residents are still challenging. This diverse topography and disparity in development present a picture that is both promising and fraught with challenges for the locality.

Tracing back through history, the land that is now Anh Son Dong commune has also left a deep mark on the nation's journey of building and defending the country. During the resistance war against the Ming army, the ancient land of Dai Dien, also known as Mac Dien, was Kha Luu - Bo Ai, the place that witnessed the glorious battles of the Lam Son rebels on their way to besiege Nghe An citadel, after the victory at Tra Lan where bamboo was split and ashes flew. That tradition was nurtured and preserved through village culture, crystallized in religious structures such as Huu Le communal house, Tao Dien communal house, Ca temple, Hoang Ta Thon temple, Vinh Tho communal house, Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang temple…

During the two protracted wars of national resistance, the land on the left bank of the Lam River once again forged an indomitable tradition. In April 1965, the militia and people of the former Tao Son commune made a great contribution by capturing an American pilot, bringing joy to the entire country and friends around the world. Alongside this tradition of struggle, this area is also a land of studiousness, diligence, and perseverance in production. It is from this land that many successful scientists, administrators, military officers, and entrepreneurs have emerged, contributing to the glory of their homeland.

Today, this historical and cultural tradition and the spirit of learning continue to be a valuable intrinsic resource, empowering Anh Son Dong to transform challenges into opportunities, potential into reality, and gradually affirm its position in the development flow of the district and the province. This land has nurtured hardworking, studious people who are deeply attached to their homeland. The alluvial plains along the riverbanks yield bountiful harvests, while the hills are suitable for planting raw material forests, short-term industrial crops, fruit trees, and raising livestock. However, its distance from the district center and the province's growth centers creates many obstacles in attracting investment. The infrastructure is not yet synchronized, transportation is limited, and the lives of some people are still difficult, causing the locality's progress to sometimes lag behind its potential.

In particular, over the past few years, with the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, along with African swine fever, floods, and unpredictable natural disasters, the lives of the people have become even more difficult. But even in hardship, the spirit of staying rooted in the land and the village has become even stronger. The stories of farmers who dared to change their crop structure, boldly introduced new varieties into production, or the stories of livestock farmers who persevered through disease outbreaks to rebuild their herds, clearly demonstrate the resilience and willpower of the people here.

The establishment of the new Anh Son Dong commune on July 1, 2025, on a larger scale, is not merely an administrative reorganization but also an opportunity to create synergy. When the three regions of Vietnam converge, and when resources are concentrated and managed synchronously, a new horizon for development has opened up.

The enduring flow of willpower and unity.

Looking back at the period from 2020 to 2025, we can see a picture full of effort. Despite many difficulties, the communes before the merger have together achieved outstanding results, affirming their determination and laying the foundation for the future.

Regarding Party building, innovations in Party branch activities and the focus on training and developing Party members have helped enhance the fighting capacity of grassroots Party organizations. The movement to study and follow Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and style has been implemented in conjunction with the responsibility of setting an example, making each cadre and Party member a role model spreading throughout the community. Alongside this, the "Effective Mass Mobilization" movement has been widely promoted, creating a strong bond between the Party and the people, and strengthening the great national unity.

The local economy has also made significant progress. The average annual growth rate is over 8%, and per capita income is projected to reach 51 million VND by 2025, showing a clear transformation compared to the beginning of the term. In agriculture, many areas of low-yield land have been converted to fruit trees and industrial crops, creating higher value. Livestock and poultry populations remain stable, and vaccination and disease prevention efforts are prioritized, giving farmers peace of mind in production. Planted forests are thriving, yielding tens of thousands of tons of timber annually, providing both revenue and increased forest cover, contributing to environmental protection.

Meanwhile, small-scale industries and services are also gradually flourishing. Several agricultural processing and construction material production facilities have come into operation, creating jobs and increasing budget revenue, improving people's lives. Agricultural service cooperatives have been strengthened, and trade, transportation, telecommunications, etc., have expanded, creating more choices for people and contributing to a positive shift in the economic structure.

The socio-cultural sector has also seen many achievements. The percentage of schools meeting national standards has increased, and the quality of both mass and specialized education has improved. Primary healthcare services adequately meet the needs of basic health care, and the percentage of people participating in health insurance is steadily rising. Social welfare is prioritized, and the poverty rate has decreased to less than 2%. Cultural, artistic, and sports movements are vibrant, preserving cultural identity while fostering unity and solidarity within the community.

Political security, social order, and safety have been maintained, and models of nationwide participation in safeguarding national security have proven effective. The term concludes with strengthened confidence, improved living standards for the people, and a foundation for the commune to embark on a higher stage of development.

Efforts to break through

Following the merger, Anh Son Dong carries with it greater responsibilities and opportunities. The 2025-2030 term is identified as a breakthrough period, aiming to raise per capita income to over 60 million VND/year, achieve sustainable poverty reduction, develop a diversified and comprehensive economy, while preserving the environment and strengthening national defense and security.

To achieve this, the commune prioritizes sustainable agricultural development, applying high technology, and shifting from agricultural production to an agricultural economy. Key crops and livestock will be carefully selected, linked to consumer markets, processing, and brand building. The fish cages on the Lam Giang River, the concentrated livestock farms, and the acacia forests covering the hillsides not only hold economic value but also offer a vision of a modern, environmentally friendly agricultural system.

Simultaneously, the commune is also focusing on proposing to higher authorities to pay attention to investing in infrastructure development, considering this as the "key" to expanding development space. Key projects such as the Tao-Linh bridge, Route 534 passing through the area, irrigation systems, and rural transportation networks, when invested in comprehensively, will create a boost for economic development, regional connectivity, and improve the lives of the people.

Administrative reform and digital transformation are also overarching goals. The commune government prioritizes citizen satisfaction as a measure of effectiveness, promoting the digitization of documents, streamlining procedures, and building a team of officials who dare to think, dare to act, and dare to take responsibility. In addition, cultural and social fields continue to receive attention, from improving the quality of education and healthcare to preserving historical sites and promoting traditional cultural values.

In every endeavor, the human element is always at the center. The commune's Party Committee recognizes that only unity creates strength. When more than 16,000 people from the three regions of the area share the same vision, and when resources from within and outside the locality converge, Anh Son Dong will have the internal strength to overcome challenges and write a sustainable development story worthy of expectations.

Today, Son Dong not only boasts a new administrative image but also embodies a great aspiration for a region to rise strongly. Revolutionary traditions, diligence, and unwavering determination are its roots. The achievements of the past years form the foundation, and the desire to break through and advance in this new era is the driving force behind its progress.

The road ahead is full of challenges, but also offers countless opportunities. When combined efforts are harnessed, and when faith and determination are maintained, Anh Son Dong will not only be a new name on the administrative map, but will become a new bright spot on Nghe An's development journey in the era of integration and innovation.

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📌 Key figures in East England
Natural area: nearly 66 km²
Population: over 16,000 people
Economic growth rate for the period 2020 – 2025: 8.21%/year
Average per capita income in 2025: 51 million VND/year
Poverty rate: reduced to 1.75%
Forest cover rate: maintained above 51%
Target by 2030: average income to reach over 60 million VND/person/year.