Ky Son continues tradition, maintains border peace, and develops sustainably

PROUD OF GLORIOUS TRADITION

DistrictKy SonLocated in a strategic location in the western mountainous region of Nghe An province, it is a land with a long-standing historical and cultural tradition. According to official history, when Uy Minh Vuong Ly Nhat Quang became the Governor of Nghe An (1041 - 1056), he mobilized soldiers and people along the left and right banks of Lam River to develop 5 regions, including Vinh Hoa region (Tuong Duong - Ky Son today).

Muong Xen Town, Ky Son. Photo courtesy of Nguyen Book

Although the settlement history of the ethnic groups in Ky Son is different, generations of residents have always promoted the tradition of solidarity, patriotism and revolution, contributing greatly to the protection of the territorial border as well as the fight against foreign invaders, firmly protecting the independence and sovereignty of the nation.

During the process of fighting, working together with the army and people of the province to protect and build the country, on May 17, 1961, based on the geographical, economic and social characteristics of Tuong Duong district (old), the Government Council issued Decision No. 65/CP to re-divide the boundaries of Tuong Duong district of Nghe An province into two new districts, which are Tuong Duong district and Ky Son district today. After being established, the Party Committee and the People of Ky Son immediately carried out the tasks of both building and developing the economy, culture, education and health, while ensuring the task of protecting the border, crushing the sabotage plots of the US imperialists and their lackeys (1961 - 1964), until before the Paris Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Indochina and Vietnam was signed (January 27, 1973).

During that time, Ky Son was one of the main targets of destructive bombing by American aircraft. Almost all roads and large and small bridges on National Highway 7, from Tuong Duong to Nam Can International Border Gate, to agencies, schools, hospitals, and clinics in the district were dug up and destroyed by American bombs. In addition, hundreds of spy groups, bandits, and commandos regularly infiltrated across the border...

Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet visited and worked in Ky Son district in 1995. Photo: Archive.

However, no matter how difficult the situation, the people and army of Ky Son always showed their determination to maintain independence and sovereignty through concrete actions in all aspects. Therefore, tens of thousands of vehicles traveling back and forth through Ky Son route were still able to circulate under the enemy's bombs and bullets. The victory of the people and army of Ky Son contributed to the whole province and the whole country in defeating two destructive wars of the American imperialists.

Appreciating the contributions of the Party Committee and people of Ky Son district during the years of building socialism and fighting against the US to save the country, the Party and the State have awarded many noble prizes. In particular, the district police, Nam Can and Nam Can border posts were awarded the title of Heroic Unit. The armed forces were awarded the First Class Military Exploit Medal. The communes of Bao Nam, Muong Tip and Nam Can were awarded the First Class Military Exploit Medal, 39 Second Class Military Exploit Medals, and 2 Third Class Military Exploit Medals.

Following the sacred call of the Fatherland, during the 21 years of fighting and defeating the US (1954 - 1975), more than 1,000 young people from all ethnic groups in Ky Son district joined the army, participated in fighting and serving on the battlefields against the US. Among them, many became brave soldiers, many heroically sacrificed or left a part of their flesh and blood on the battlefields of the South and Laos, to bring independence and unity to the Vietnamese homeland and peace and happiness to the people.

General Secretary Nong Duc Manh visited and worked in Ky Son district in 2005. Photo: Archive

Ky Son also has 192 individuals and 54 units recognized by the Ministry of National Defense as Victory Units and Emulation Fighters. The Ky Son District Party Committee was recognized twice by the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee as a typical Strong and Clean Party Committee. Comrade Vu Chong Pao - former Deputy Secretary, former Chairman of the District People's Committee was honored to be awarded the title of Hero of the Armed Forces by the Party and State. In addition, there are comrades Pha Ba Di (aka Pha Pho Tho), Xeo Van Luong, Luong Van Pon, Ven Van Pon, Ho Xia Re, Vu Chong Xu, Cut Pho Bua, Khun Van Sen, Lo Thi Que, .. who are typical examples of patriotism and Vietnamese revolutionary heroism of the ethnic groups in Ky Son.

During the renovation period, the army and people of Ky Son district and 3 collectives were honored to be awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the Party and the State. The People's Armed Forces of Ky Son district were honored to be awarded the Third-class Fatherland Protection Medal by the President; the Third-class Labor Medal by the State of the Lao People's Democratic Republic; the Ministry of National Defense, the Military Region 4 Command, and the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee awarded the Emulation Flag. In addition, many collectives and individuals received Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister; Certificates of Merit from ministries, branches, and the Provincial People's Committee, and many excellent Emulation Flags for communes, towns, departments, branches, and organizations of the district, along with many other noble awards.

Ceremony to receive the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces of Ky Son district on April 12, 2010. Photo: Document

Since the establishment of the district, the Ky Son District Party Committee has held 23 Congresses.CongressAll set out goals, tasks, and solutions that are close to the local conditions and actual situation, and appropriate action programs. The cadres, government, and people of all ethnic groups in Ky Son district always have faith in the Party,wholeheartedly protect independence, territorial integrity and build the homeland and country. The political system and social organizations are constantly consolidated and developed. Strictly implement the Resolution of the 4th Central Committee (term XI, XII) in conjunction with the implementation of Directive 03-CT/TW and Directive 05-CT/TW of the Politburo on "Promoting studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle" in conjunction with regulations on setting examples in many rich and diverse forms, achieving many positive results, raising the sense of responsibility of cadres and party members, especially leaders. Conservative thoughts, waiting, relying on, fear of difficulties, fear of hardships... among cadres, party members and people are gradually limited. Since its establishment with nearly 200 party members, the district Party Committee has now had 47 affiliated grassroots organizations, with nearly 6,000 party members.

The economy and society have gradually developed. In the 1990s, the average food was only 200 kg/person/year, people's lives were still poor, but by 2020 the average income had reached 23 million VND/person/year. The production area and agricultural output, forest coverage as well as the total livestock and poultry herd have increased steadily over the years. From a purely agricultural district, the economy dependent on agriculture and nature, there are now new directions, promoting the strengths of the locality such as: developing service industries, growing medicinal herbs, strongly developing livestock herds... The National Target Program on New Rural Construction has been directed and implemented with attention. Up to now, 01 commune has met the New Rural standards, the remaining communes have achieved an average of 10.5 criteria; the appearance of the countryside has gradually improved. In the first decades of its establishment, transportation routes were very difficult, there were no roads or muddy dirt roads. Now, 21/21 communes have car roads to the center, 110 villages have national grid electricity. Trade and services are more developed, essential consumer goods are distributed and circulated to remote communes, increasingly meeting the needs of the people.

Provincial Party Secretary Thai Thanh Quy and the delegation visited and worked in Ky Son. Photo courtesy of Dao Tuan

National defense and security are strengthened, social order and safety are ensured, and border security is maintained. Nghe An is the province with the longest border with Laos in the country with 468 km, adjacent to 4 districts, belonging to 3 provinces of the Lao PDR, while Ky Son has 203.409 km of border. Therefore, Ky Son plays the role of a "gateway" and "fence" border district, with a special "diplomatic door" position of Nghe An and the whole country. Therefore, throughout the 60-year history, generations of cadres and people of all ethnic groups in Ky Son have always clearly identified that, in addition to economic and social development, they also have the task of firmly protecting the sovereignty, territory, and national border security, contributing to the successful implementation of two strategic tasks of building and protecting the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland in the integration period.

Party foreign affairs, Government foreign affairs, and people-to-people foreign affairs with localities of Laos sharing a common border are maintained. Regularly organize working delegations, visit and congratulate districts and forces of Laos on holidays and New Year; promptly visit, encourage, and support difficulties caused by natural disasters and epidemics; well implement the regime of meetings, notifications, and exchanges of the situation of both sides. Actively coordinate with functional forces of Laos in performing the task of protecting sovereignty, fighting all kinds of crimes, and resolving issues occurring on the border... contributing positively to building a peaceful border, special friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

In addition, the district also pays special attention to promoting the role and prestige of village elders, village chiefs, and prestigious people among ethnic groups and clans, contributing to raising awareness, responsibility, and determination of all levels, sectors, and the entire population for the task of building Ky Son homeland to develop more and more.

Ky Son issued and implemented Directive 17/CT-HU on party members helping poor households, creating a ripple effect among cadres, party members and people. Photo: Document

RIGHT ASSESSMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Looking back at the overall picture after 60 years of establishment, the Party Committee, government and people of Ky Son district are extremely proud and excited about the achievements that have been made along with the comprehensive and profound changes in all fields. However, with the spirit of learning, the authorities at all levels and the people will always maintain a correct perception and assessment of reality to strive to bring the district to sustainable development step by step. In particular, it is necessary to assess and clearly recognize the limitations that need to be overcome, especially the fact that Ky Son is still a poor district, the economic development is not sustainable, the economic structure is slow to shift. The poverty rate is still high (59.36%). The level and quality of labor is low, and there are many unemployed workers. Therefore, the lives of ethnic minorities still have many difficulties; social evils, especially drugs, are still complicated. The leadership capacity of Party committees, the effectiveness and efficiency of management and administration of grassroots authorities are still limited. The quality of activities of the Fatherland Front and mass organizations has improved, but not quickly. These are all important and urgent issues, challenges that need to be resolved promptly in the coming time.

Therefore, Ky Son determined that the road ahead is opening up many opportunities, advantages and also many difficulties and challenges. It is necessary to correctly assess the situation, propose synchronous solutions, take advantage of opportunities, and steadily move forward on the path of integration and sustainable development. In particular, the key point is to implement the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and the Resolution of the Party Congresses at all levels for the 2020-2025 term, especially the Resolution of the 23rd District Party Congress in the spirit of solidarity, unity, and determination to well implement the three breakthroughs.

Meeting between Ky Son district and 4 districts of Lao PDR in May 2019. Photo: Document

That is to strongly innovate to enhance exemplary behavior, fight against conservatism, waiting, dependence and local, ethnic and clan ideology among cadres, party members and people. Implement land allocation associated with forest allocation to households, in order to improve the effectiveness of forest management and protection, form and develop concentrated agricultural and forestry production economic zones with value chains, combined with the development of medicinal herbs under the forest canopy. Restructure the district's economy towards commodities, develop production scale; form a system of key products associated with the development of geographical indications, brands and product trademarks in the direction of promoting the potential and advantages of the district.

In addition, Ky Son also determined to focus on effective management, use of resources and environmental protection. Innovate, create a strong shift in the quality of education and training, science and technology. Build a healthy and rich cultural life imbued with the traditional culture of the homeland. Ky Son is a land rich in natural identity, cultural diversity, with many sacred temples such as Pu Nha Thau temple, Cay Da temple, Tong Dinh Tong Yen temple, and many interesting landscapes such as the system of waterfalls, caves, Phu Xai Lai Leng peak, Muong Long heaven gate... The ethnic groups of Ky Son are also a treasure trove of conservation, promotion of unique identity, preserving customs, culinary practices, cultural activities - festivals, unique and special handicrafts... These are potential factors that the cadres and people of Ky Son need to preserve and promote to build strengths in the service industry - eco-tourism in the future.

Ky Son students participate in cultural exchange activities. Photo courtesy of My Ha

At the same time, improve the quality of health care for the people; effectively implement policies in the fields of labor, meritorious people and society; effectively solve employment issues and reduce poverty in a sustainable manner. Enhance leadership capacity, fighting strength, build clean and strong Party organizations. Promote administrative reform; improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state management; promote the role of the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations; improve the material and spiritual life of the people; strive to build Ky Son homeland to quickly escape poverty and develop sustainably./.