Nam Dan strives to become a model district.

(Baonghean) - The scorching Central Vietnamese sun blazed down, and as I joined the crowds heading to Kim Lien (Nam Dan), my heart swelled with emotion at the dramatic changes in Nam Dan after 42 years of fulfilling President Ho Chi Minh's wish to build Nam Dan into a model district during his second visit to his hometown (in 1961).

Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Dan District, Thai Van Nong, said: "Deeply cherishing the teachings of President Ho Chi Minh to our homeland and imbued with his thought, 'Competition is patriotism, and patriotism requires competition,' in recent years, the people of Nam Dan have always strived to work hard in production, compete in good work, and do many good deeds... The emulation movements have developed quite extensively, richly, and diversely in each level, each sector, each agency, unit, and each family, aiming towards the goal of strong economic development, rich culture, and solid national defense and security."

Most notably, the emulation movements include "Agricultural Service Linkage," "Excellent Production and Business," "Rapidly Introducing New High-Yield and High-Quality Crop Varieties into Production," "Crop Restructuring for High Efficiency," "Developing Farm Economy," and "Building Large-Scale Model Fields"... These movements have dramatically changed the production method from monoculture rice farming to commodity-based service production, with thousands of hectares of vegetables, rice, and corn being commercialized. As a result, nearly 100% of Nam Dan's agricultural land achieves a value of 50 million VND/hectare/year or more, with over 50% of the area generating income from 70 to over 200 million VND/hectare/year. 725 farms, including 30 farms meeting the criteria of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, generate annual profits exceeding 15 billion VND.

Besides agriculture, Nam Dan also focuses on developing and increasing the proportion of industry, handicrafts, and trade services. Currently, there are nearly 10 effective investment projects operating in the area, such as the Nam Dan CENTER Commercial Center and the Haivina – Kim Lien Garment Factory. Tourism infrastructure has been invested in quite well, creating favorable conditions for the tourism industry to initially form and operate effectively. In particular, to live up to the trust of the Party and the State in selecting Nam Dan as one of the five central government-designated areas for building new rural areas, Nam Dan has launched a movement for all citizens to contribute to building new rural areas. A significant step in this movement is the improvement and beautification of the rural landscape. In just two years of implementing the new rural development movement, the district has mobilized 127 billion VND, including 10 billion VND contributed by the people; 1,221 working days; and 40,131 m2 of land for rural development.

Along with focusing on effectively directing many emulation movements for economic development, the Party committees and authorities at all levels in Nam Dan always implement the "All People Unite to Build a Culturally Rich Life" movement, linked with movements to build culturally rich villages, hamlets, units, and families; build advanced residential areas; protect national security; show gratitude and repay kindness; help each other to alleviate poverty; and assist policy beneficiary families. These movements have been actively and enthusiastically embraced by the people, contributing positively to building national unity, strengthening the bond between individuals and collectives, and fostering a sense of community that is increasingly evident in the implementation of political tasks at each level, sector, agency, and unit. This has contributed to Nam Dan's successful development as a model cultural district.

The people of Nam Dan have persistently built a "Nam Dan people" style characterized by high levels of education, culture, a strong will to succeed, and a desire to prosper. Emulation movements in the field of education have been effectively implemented, especially the movement to build national standard schools; the "Building friendly schools, active students" emulation movement; and the "Teaching well, learning well" movement. As a result, the quality of education in Nam Dan has achieved many encouraging results, with 37 schools meeting national standards; 43 schools meeting the criteria of "Friendly schools, active students"; and approximately over 1,200 students admitted to universities and colleges annually. Healthcare for the people has also made significant progress, with 22 out of 24 communes achieving national standards in healthcare.

Mai Hoa