Electricity has arrived in the remote villages of western Nghe An province.
Amidst the towering mountains and dense forests of western Nghe An province, once known as a "region without electricity and signal," the light of electricity has finally been brought to life. Behind the first electricity reaching these remote villages lies a arduous journey, steeped in the sweat, willpower, and responsibility of the electricians, along with the solidarity of the government, armed forces, and local people.
Power company leaders stay close to the scene - a source of moral support on the front lines.
Western Nghe An province – a land of towering mountains and dense forests, villages nestled deep in valleys, where the Nam Non River flows day and night through the vast wilderness – has long had isolated areas without electricity or cell phone coverage. The villages of Cha Nga, Xop Duong, Nhot Lot, Pha Chieng in My Ly commune, and Huoi May in Muong Quang commune are examples of places where electricity has never fully illuminated the lives of the local people.
Bringing electricity to this area is not just a professional task, but a challenging journey, where every piece of equipment, every meter of electrical wire transported for construction is a test of perseverance, paid for with the sweat, strength, and silent sacrifice of the electricians of Nghe An Power Company.
Following the directives of the Northern Power Corporation and the Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghe An province, from the very beginning of the project, the leaders of Nghe An Power Company were present at the site, braving the treacherous mountain roads and dangerous rapids, accompanying, surveying, and working alongside the workers. Instructions were not just on paper, but were delivered right on the mountainside, along the stream banks, during quick breaks on the verandas of local houses.
The image of the leaders of Nghe An Power Company, wearing protective clothing, standing deep in the forest, monitoring every aspect of transporting machinery and equipment, erecting poles, laying wires, or directly encouraging workers when difficulties arise, has become a great source of motivation. This close attention not only led to creative solutions to promptly resolve technical issues but also instilled confidence and boosted the morale of the workforce during the most challenging times.
The arduous journey of transporting the equipment.
The biggest challenge of the project lies in the transportation of machinery, materials, and equipment, as the roads to the remote villages, already difficult and treacherous, have become even more challenging after severe flash floods and landslides caused by the remnants of typhoon No. 3, followed by typhoons No. 5 and No. 10 in 2025.
In that context, the close coordination between Nghe An Power Company and local Party committees and authorities became a crucial support, from surveying the route and organizing forces to mobilizing assistance from military units and local people to participate in transportation. Most of the routes could only be traveled on foot, with jagged rocks, a deep ravine on one side and a sheer cliff on the other, every step posing a risk; the rare sections accessible by motorized vehicles were slippery mountain passes with treacherous curves.
The electricians were not alone; alongside them were soldiers carrying supplies, and villagers taking turns carrying, pulling, and pushing, wading through streams and climbing slopes to bring each piece of equipment, each meter of wire, and each meter box into the village. Everything had to be "sacrificed" through human strength, a spirit of sharing, and a determination to stay on the job until the very end to bring electricity to the people as soon as possible.
In particular, navigating the rapids upstream on the Nam Non River to deliver supplies and equipment to Xop Duong and Cha Nga villages was the most arduous challenge. Amidst the murky, fast-flowing water, the seamless coordination between the power company's personnel, the army, and the experienced boatmen of the local people became the decisive factor. Each coil of wire, each piece of equipment weighing hundreds of kilograms, was passed from hand to hand, securely fastened, and the timing of crossing the rocky rapids was precisely calculated. Each safe crossing of the rapids by a boat carrying equipment brought a sigh of relief, and joy shone clearly on the faces of the leaders and workers of Nghe An Power Company, because behind it all was the unity and collective effort of an entire team for the goal of bringing light to the upstream villages.
There were days when the jungle rains, the mountain winds blew suddenly, the ground was slippery, and the men's clothes were soaked, covered in mud from head to toe. There were nights, in the remote villages with bone-chilling cold, but laughter and words of encouragement still echoed warmly. Because more than anyone else, they understood that every meter of power line extended was one step closer to bringing light to the village.
The light of faith and aspiration
From December 11th to 13th, 2025, Nghe An Power Company successfully completed the task of bringing electricity to five remote villages in western Nghe An province, finishing ahead of schedule as planned by the Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghe An province and the Northern Power Corporation. A total of 281 households were illuminated, including 50 households in Nhot Lot village, 51 households in Pha Chieng village, 92 households in Cha Nga village, 48 households in Xop Duong village, and 40 households in Huoi May village. In the moment the first electricity shone, joy was evident on every face, radiant smiles and cheers spread throughout the villages, marking a significant milestone in the lives of the local people.
Mr. Luong Van Nhun, head of Cha Nga village, emotionally shared: “Today, for the first time, the villagers have electricity, and we are very happy. The children can study at night and review their lessons better, grandparents and parents can watch television to learn more information, and women can develop small-scale handicrafts to boost the economy and enjoy the benefits. We are very grateful to the government and the electricity sector.”
The journey to bring electricity to the remote areas of western Nghe An province is a vivid testament to the sense of responsibility, solidarity, and determination of the staff and employees of Nghe An Power Company. It is the result of the combined efforts of leaders and workers, of the power industry and local organizations and authorities, of calloused hands and hearts always focused on the people in the highlands.
Mr. Pham Cong Thanh, Director of Nghe An Power Company, shared: “It must be said that bringing electricity to the remote villages in western Nghe An has faced countless difficulties. The villages are nestled amidst rugged mountains and forests, with almost no infrastructure, and transporting materials and equipment has sometimes seemed impossible. But this is precisely the constant concern of the leadership of Nghe An Power Company. Because we understand that bringing electricity to these remote areas is not just a project or construction work. It is also a responsibility to the community, a mission for social welfare, and a journey to connect development between the mountainous and lowland regions. I always tell my colleagues, no matter how difficult it is, we must do it. And in reality, not a single employee has faltered. The Nghe An Power Company will continue to steadfastly move forward, overcoming challenges step by step, and realizing our commitment to bringing light to the most remote villages. This is not only an aspiration but also a promise of the power industry to the people of western Nghe An.” Nghe An.
The day the first electricity illuminated the villages of Phá Chiếng, Nhọt Lợt, Cha Nga, Xốp Dương, and Huồi Máy was also the day all weariness seemed to vanish. The electric light not only dispelled the darkness of the mountains and forests, but also ignited hope, opened up opportunities for development, and brought with it the aspiration for change to these villages on the border of our country.
