Con Cuong walks with firm steps, progressing steadily.
(Baonghean.vn) - One of the important orientations of Resolution No. 39-NQ/TW is to build and develop six urban areas to create momentum for the development of Nghe An province. In this orientation, Con Cuong will be the gateway and play a connecting role in transportation, economy, trade, etc., along the entire Southwest route.
A golden opportunity for growth.
Con Cuong District is located on National Highway 7, connecting coastal localities to western Nghe An province and neighboring Laos. The district has a long history of revolutionary struggle with many historical sites such as Tra Lan Citadel, Ma Nhai stele (established in the 13th century), and the house of Mr. Vi Van Khang – the site of the first Party branch in western Nghe An; it holds a very important strategic position in terms of national defense and security.
In terms of natural conditions, the Tra Lan region boasts the Pu Mat National Park, located within the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve, with one of the most diverse ecosystems in the region and the world. The area is picturesque, with many scenic spots such as Khe Kem Waterfall, Khe Nuoc Moc stream, Pha Lai dam, Giang River, Muong Qua plain, and a system of mysterious natural caves. Along with this, Con Cuong also preserves many rich cultural values reflecting the unique identity of the Thai ethnic community.
It must be said that Con Cuong district has many advantages for development. However, the district still lacks a comprehensive, fundamental, sustainable, and long-term development orientation, accompanied by sufficient support policies, mechanisms, and resources to serve as a guiding principle and driving force for development. Resolution No. 39-NQ/TW was issued to address this issue – Con Cuong was designated to be developed into an ecological tourism urban area, connecting the region and becoming a driving force for the development of the Southwest sub-region, from Anh Son to Ky Son.
Recognizing that Resolution No. 39-NQ/TW dated July 18, 2023, of the Politburo and Action Program No. 68-CTr/TU dated November 15, 2023, of the Provincial Party Committee are golden opportunities for development, Con Cuong district immediately concretized the program with many specific plans, action programs, and activities to take advantage of this opportunity to comprehensively build and develop the locality as soon as Nghe An province issued the implementation program.
Comrade Nguyen Hoai An - Secretary of the Con Cuong District Party Committee:
Recognizing this as a crucial political task, closely linked to socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in the area, the District Party Committee directed and assigned responsibilities to agencies, departments, and mass organizations in the district to proactively advise the Con Cuong District Party Committee on the development and issuance of Plan No. 217 KH/HU of the Con Cuong District Party Committee Standing Committee on implementing Resolution 39 of the Politburo and Action Program No. 68 of the Provincial Party Committee on building and developing Nghe An province until 2030 with a vision to 2045.
The plan is built on the basis of closely adhering to the provincial program and planning; it fully and comprehensively concretizes the viewpoints, objectives, tasks, and solutions for implementation. In particular, it focuses on the general urban plan of Con Cuong, the regional construction plan of Con Cuong district; and the development of socio-economic development projects and programs…
Following the issuance of Plan No. 217 KH/HU, the Con Cuong District Party Committee organized a thorough dissemination of Resolution No. 39-NQ/TW, Action Program No. 68-CTr/TU, and Plan No. 217 KH/HU to create unified understanding, awaken aspirations, foster solidarity, and demonstrate determination for comprehensive development; to promote rich national cultural traditions and long-standing revolutionary history, so as to "take firm steps, advance steadily, but with the motto of faster and stronger" to leverage potential and advantages, overcome difficulties, and build and develop Con Cuong district in accordance with the new context and requirements; worthy of being an ecological urban area and a driving force for development in the Southwest sub-region.
In parallel, the district has also proactively coordinated closely and regularly with provincial departments and agencies; proposing to competent authorities the issuance of specific mechanisms and policies to create conditions to promote the "construction and development of Con Cuong district into a type 4 urban area in the direction of ecology and tourism".
Striving to become an eco-city and tourist destination.
At this time, the entire Party Committee and people of Con Cuong district are focusing on leading, directing, and implementing socio-economic development, national defense, security, Party building, and building the grassroots political system to quickly put Resolution No. 39-NQ/TW, Action Program No. 68-CTr/TU, and Plan No. 217 KH/HU into practice.
Accordingly, in terms of economic development, in the agricultural sector, Con Cuong focuses on developing efficient and sustainable agriculture in the direction of modern, green, clean, and ecological agriculture associated with tourism; focusing on expanding production scale and promoting livestock production in a linked chain; the district continues to strengthen the management and conservation of biodiversity, protecting, managing, and developing forest resources in the area.
Comrade Lo Van Ly - Head of the Agriculture Department of Con Cuong District:
Currently, Con Cuong district is gradually transforming its crop structure. By 2025, it aims to convert 59.7 hectares of rice paddies to other crops; and convert 241.5 hectares of low-yield vegetable crops to medicinal plants, industrial crops, fruit trees, and other crops. Alongside this, the district is focusing on applying science and technology to green and sustainable production; and striving to build 3-5 ecological agricultural models linked to tourism products and the district's distinctive products.
Besides agricultural and forestry production, Con Cuong district has been strengthening its trade promotion activities and connecting supply and demand. The district focuses on developing border trade infrastructure, rural and mountainous areas, and areas inhabited by ethnic minorities... promoting the development and improving the quality of financial and banking services; postal and telecommunications services.
Regarding cultural and social development, the district has a project: "Preserving and promoting the traditional cultural identity of ethnic groups associated with tourism development in Con Cuong district, giai đoạn 2025-2030"; and has issued a program and plan for the restoration of the Ma Nhai stele complex and Tra Lan citadel. Initially, the district will coordinate with relevant departments and agencies to submit a proposal to the competent authority to recognize the Ma Nhai stele as a Special National Historical Monument; and will have a long-term plan to restore the Ma Nhai stele and Tra Lan citadel, linking them to the nation's struggle for national defense… Through this, destinations will be formed that connect tourism activities with experiences of historical values.
In 2023, Con Cuong attracted at least 110,000 tourists, generating revenue exceeding 26 billion VND. This is a positive sign for the district's tourism industry. However, for tourism to become a key economic sector, Con Cuong needs to overcome many existing challenges.
The district will conduct a comprehensive reassessment of its tourism infrastructure to develop solutions for infrastructure and institutional investment; expand homestay and agro-tourism services; focus on improving service quality and skills for the tourism workforce; and concentrate on attracting large investors to the local tourism sector.
One of the key tasks in developing Con Cuong into an ecologically-oriented district is infrastructure. Therefore, the district has been accelerating the planning process and submitting it to the Provincial People's Committee for approval. According to Mr. Lo Van Thao, Chairman of the Con Cuong District People's Committee: The district will build and effectively implement planning and planning management; strengthen development linkages; promote urban development; focus on mobilizing resources to develop infrastructure systems, especially synchronous transportation infrastructure, information technology infrastructure, and digital infrastructure. At the same time, it will accelerate the construction and completion of key projects with connectivity and ripple effects to promote socio-economic development.
Continue to effectively utilize and accelerate the disbursement of funds under national target programs in the district; effectively integrate the three national target programs: sustainable poverty reduction, new rural development, and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, in conjunction with implementing mechanisms and policies to support poverty reduction, striving to reduce the poverty rate by 3-3.5% annually according to the set target.
Developing Con Cuong district is not only the responsibility of the local Party committee and government, but it is also the aspiration and dream of many generations of people in Tra Lan. The road ahead is still fraught with difficulties, but with the strong determination of the Party committee and government, especially with the attention, resources, and impetus from the Central Government and the province, along with the unity and consensus of officials and people, Con Cuong district is confident that it will become an ecological and tourist urban area by 2045.
