Economy

The "keeper of the flame" in Cuom village

Khanh Ly - Thanh Phuc • October 9, 2026 16:20

From persistently fostering Party development, encouraging villagers to change their way of thinking and doing things, to preserving cultural identity and protecting aquatic resources, Party Branch Secretary Loc Van Lam has become a "pillar of support" for the people of Cuom village, Hung Chan commune. At over 70 years old, this former teacher who spent many years on the giảng platform still diligently contributes to the community, fostering unity and bringing about positive changes in this highland village.

Khanh Ly - Thanh Phuc/Present: Hong Toai •9/10/2026

*****

From persistently fostering Party development, mobilizing villagers to innovate their thinking and practices, to preserving cultural identity and protecting aquatic resources, Party Branch Secretary Loc Van Lam has become a pillar of support for the people of Cuom village, Hung Chan commune. At over 70 years old, this former teacher, who spent many years on the giảng platform, continues to diligently work for the Party and the people, contributing to fostering solidarity and bringing about positive changes in this highland village.

The road leading to Cuom village is ablaze with the vibrant red of the national flag. On both sides of the road, flags flutter in the autumn breeze, stretching across the bridge spanning the stream, creating a scene that is both serene and solemn.

Leading us along a 1km-long flag-lined road, with 200 flags erected on both sides, Party Secretary Loc Van Lam excitedly shared that the project will be completed in early 2026 and the flags will be replaced every six months.

"Every house displays flags during holidays, Tet (Lunar New Year), and major events. The flag-lined streets not only beautify the village but also remind our children and grandchildren of the historical and revolutionary traditions of our homeland," Mr. Lam shared.

The story of the flags is also how the Party branch secretary in the highlands conveys his love for his homeland and his sense of responsibility to the community. This is also what he has consistently practiced throughout his years of involvement in grassroots Party work: Great things begin with familiar matters; to gain the people's trust and obedience, cadres must speak practically and act concretely.

Originally a junior high school teacher, after retiring in 2019, Mr. Lam was entrusted with the position of Secretary of the Party Branch of Na Lanh village, then part of Dien Lam commune (formerly Quy Chau district), later Hung Chan commune. The branch had 30 members, but Party development faced many difficulties. The pool of potential successors was insufficient, while most young people had gone away to work, and those who remained were busy with farming and family responsibilities. The challenge of identifying and nurturing outstanding individuals from the community therefore constantly troubled him.

He and the Party committee drafted a resolution on Party member development, assigning branches and organizations to promote the movement, thereby identifying positive individuals to recommend to the Party. Reputable Party members were assigned to monitor and assist the masses; while Mr. Lam personally went to each house, patiently talking to and encouraging those who had the desire to strive for improvement.

To young people, he often explained that joining the Party was not just about becoming an official or working in a government agency, but more importantly, about developing character, maturing, living responsibly, and contributing to the community. Whether working in their hometown or in a company or enterprise later on, Party members still need to maintain their integrity and reputation through their actions.

This approach of close and persistent mobilization gradually yielded results. From 2022 until the village merger in early July 2026, the Na Lanh Party Branch admitted 15 new party members, including 7 female members. This achievement is all the more valuable given the difficult living conditions, with male laborers working far away and women at home juggling production and childcare, leaving little time for community activities.

According to Mr. Lam, recruiting female party members is not just about persuading an individual, but often requires persistently convincing their entire family. Outdated notions, feelings of inferiority, or the belief that women are incapable of handling social responsibilities remain obstacles. To overcome these, officials must be close to the women, understand their circumstances, and encourage them to strive for self-confidence, while also securing the support of their husbands and relatives.

In reality, many women, after joining the Party, have matured and actively participated in community work. Typical examples include Ms. Lo Thi Cuc, born in 1995, currently the Head of the Women's Association in the village; Ms. Vi Thi Dung, born in 1979, who serves as the Head of the Farmers' Association in the village; and Ms. Luong Thi Hoa, born in 1980, who works as a village health worker. These women balance caring for their families with enthusiastically contributing to community work, becoming positive contributors to local movements.

After Na Lanh village merged with Cuom village on July 1, 2026, and was renamed Cuom village, Mr. Lam continued to be entrusted with the position of Secretary of the Party Branch of the new village.

At the age of 72, he takes on the responsibility of managing an area with 321 households, 1,433 inhabitants, and 60 Party members. The area is larger, the number of people working away from home is greater, and the demands on the leadership and management of a village leader like him are also higher.

Nevertheless, the Party branch continued to nurture and develop its members. After the merger, the Cuom village Party branch admitted two young members: Le Thi Ha, who recently graduated from Vinh University, and Quang Thi Thu, who passed her university entrance exams after joining the Party and is currently studying in Da Nang.

For Mr. Lam, each newly admitted party member not only strengthens the branch but also adds another person with responsibility to the village. Therefore, creating a pool of potential members cannot be done haphazardly or simply relying on existing individuals, but must begin with identifying and fostering a sense of aspiration in each villager.

After the merger, Cuom village was organized into several residential clusters such as Na Mo, Na Lanh, Na Son, etc. The area is large, the people live scattered, and many laborers regularly work in the fields or seek work far away. To ensure that the common work is not interrupted, Mr. Lam, along with the Party committee and the village management board, flexibly changed the way of managing.

In addition to the public address system, each residential cluster has a designated person in charge to promptly convey information and understand the thoughts and aspirations of the residents. Contributions from residents are also received through this representative, saving households living far away from having to travel multiple times. Zalo groups are used to announce meeting schedules, disseminate information, and receive feedback. For elderly people who do not use smartphones, their children and grandchildren are encouraged to join the groups to help them stay updated on information.

"Initially, people were unfamiliar with the situation, but gradually they got used to it. With a day or two's notice, those working in the fields proactively arranged their schedules to come back and attend the meetings," Mr. Lam recounted.

Not only in administrative management, he also worked with the Party branch committee to innovate the content of Party branch meetings. According to him, meetings cannot be limited to disseminating documents from higher levels, but must select issues relevant to daily life, so that Party members can exchange ideas, discuss, and agree on how to proceed. When resolutions stem from reality and have consensus, implementation at the grassroots level will be smoother.

He himself proactively learned how to access information technology, process documents, and handle procedures in a digital environment. His advanced age and limited computer knowledge inevitably led to some initial awkwardness, but with guidance from younger generations, including Village Head Lu Van Hue, born in 1982, he gradually adapted.

For him, innovation is not something far-fetched, but begins with knowing how to listen, being willing to learn, and boldly changing outdated practices.

In economic development, Mr. Lam, along with the Party branch and the village management board, persistently encouraged people to change their production mindset. Due to being located in an area with special-use forests and protective forests, the area of ​​arable land is limited, and the lives of many households still depend on rice cultivation, small-scale livestock farming, and acacia planting. The poverty rate remains high, and livelihoods are not truly sustainable.

Based on this reality, the Party branch mobilized people to develop integrated farms, combining crop cultivation and livestock farming suitable to family conditions; at the same time, it encouraged laborers who needed it to seek opportunities for overseas employment. Cadres and Party members had to set an example, leading the way so that people could see the results and follow suit.

To date, the village has about 20 integrated farm models. A typical example is the model of Party member Lu Van Xuyen, which combines raising nearly 20 buffaloes and cows with planting acacia trees, rice farming, raising chickens and ducks, and digging ponds for fish farming. The entire village has about 70 laborers working abroad, contributing to improved income and enabling many families to renovate their houses and purchase household items.

Mr. Lam's family also raises pigs and chickens, breeds fish, and grows about 400 purple sugarcane plants for sale. Both he and his wife are retired teachers, and their children are grown up, but he still works diligently to develop his family's economy. This diligence also sets an example for the community: Economic development must go hand in hand with action, not with waiting or relying on others.

Along with focusing on livelihoods, Mr. Lam prioritizes mobilizing people to build a civilized lifestyle, preserve national cultural identity, and work together to ensure security and order. The flag-lined road and the system of 120 solar-powered streetlights illuminating the alleyways are projects that have contributed to changing the appearance of the residential area.

Notably, the Cuom village is gradually developing a community awareness of protecting aquatic resources, especially the catfish – a local specialty with high economic value. The policy of protecting aquatic life in streams and creeks initially caused some concern, as wild shrimp and fish have long been a familiar food source for families. However, through propaganda, explaining the long-term benefits, combined with inspection, monitoring, and handling of violations, people's awareness is gradually changing.

Protected areas are marked with warning signs; illegal fishing practices such as using electric shock or explosives are subject to administrative penalties. From a state of initial apprehension, many people have come to understand that protecting aquatic resources is also protecting their own livelihoods. People are gradually developing the habit of reminding and monitoring each other, working together to preserve aquatic resources, including the catfish.

Annually, the organization collectively harvests fish on appropriate occasions, such as the National Unity Day, to serve the common activities of the community; any surplus fish can be sold to raise funds for purchasing cultural facilities.

The exploitation is reported to the commune and a specific timeframe is agreed upon. What was once a policy requiring time for mobilization, protecting aquatic resources is becoming a collective effort, linking the interests of each family with the interests of the entire village.

Having served as the head of the Party branch for many years, Mr. Loc Van Lam always believed that to gain prestige among the people, one must first be exemplary, "match words with actions," and wholeheartedly dedicate oneself to the common good. He regularly monitored the situation, promptly coordinated the resolution of emerging conflicts, and prevented minor issues from escalating into complex problems.

His dedication was recognized with a Certificate of Commendation from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for outstanding achievements in grassroots mediation work and an honor bestowed by the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions as a prominent and respected figure among ethnic minority communities.

Commenting on Party Branch Secretary Loc Van Lam, Comrade Lang Van Dong - Head of the Party Building Committee of Hung Chan commune, assessed that he is an exemplary village official, dedicated and responsible to Party and people affairs; a bridge between the Party committee, the government and the people, and a pillar of support for ethnic minority people in Cuom village.