For the first time, Dan Lai villagers used rice cookers and refrigerators.

For the first time, the Dan Lai people in Khe Bung village, Mon Son commune used electric rice cookers. Photo: Ba Hau

The Dan Lai people in the upper reaches of the Giang River have gathered into large villages since the revolutionary government was established. Previously, they had 3 villages but they moved closer to the center of Mon Son and Thach Ngan communes since the early 2000s, now only 2 villages remain.

The Dan Lai people in Con Cuong have about 3,000 people. Before being relocated, they mainly lived in Chau Khe and Luc Da communes, with the largest number living in Mon Son commune. The lives of the people here are also more difficult than those of the Dan Lai communities elsewhere. Currently, both Co Phat and Khe Bung villages have 223 households with about 1,000 people.

24 years ago, many villages in Con Cuong district started to have electricity from the national grid, but it was not until early 2018 that Co Phat and Khe Bung villages were connected to the grid. Previously, the road system and welfare facilities such as medical stations and schools were also invested quite basically. Roads in the village were all concreted.

Before the power grid, the Dan Lai people in the upper reaches of the Giang River mainly used self-generated electricity from streams. This rudimentary tool only provided enough electricity for lighting, and rice had to be cooked on a wood stove. Refrigerators and televisions were once completely unfamiliar items to this community.

The Dan Lai people in the upper reaches of the Giang River still live in makeshift stilt houses. The arrival of electricity is opening up a hope for change. Photo: Huu Vi

Ms. La Thi Pa, a resident of Co Phat village, said that right before the day the electricity was available, she used the money she had saved for a long time to buy two rice cookers. One was for personal use, the other was for emergencies because the area was far from the center. The purchase was very difficult. She said that many households in the village did the same thing. “Before, when we came back from the forest, we had to go into the kitchen to cook rice, which took a lot of time. Now we just have to cook food. The electricity cooks the rice for us,” Ms. Pa said, smiling.

Two children in a family in Co Phat village are engrossed in their first days watching TV. Photo: Ba Hau

A woman from Khe Bung village with her newly purchased freezer. Photo: Ba Hau

Mr. Le Van Chin - Head of Khe Bung village said: Currently, all households in the village use grid electricity. Many households have purchased expensive audio-visual equipment such as large-screen TVs. Some households even buy refrigerators and freezers to serve grocery sales. "The most important thing is that when there is grid electricity, our people have better conditions to communicate with the outside world," Mr. Chin added.

La Thi Que, a 5th grade student, also shared her joy at having electricity. “I am happiest when my friends and I in the village no longer have to use kerosene lamps to study.”

Identifying the only remaining Dan Lai ethnic group in Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) - Living in the border area of ​​the core zone of Pu Mat National Park, nearly 1,000 people of the Dan Lai ethnic group have been facing many risks. Poverty, backwardness, and illiteracy surround the lives of this ethnic group with indigenous features.