Springtime in Son Lam resettlement area

The atmosphere is vibrant with the spirit of spring.

There's still almost a month left until then.Lunar New YearAlthough it's the year of the Horse (Bính Ngọ), the border commune of Sơn Lâm is already bustling with the atmosphere of spring. The mountains and forests are beginning to don a new coat, with lush green acacia forests and tea hills stretching seemingly endlessly.

Along the roads, the vibrant red of the flags stands out against the mountains. Amidst the daily rhythm of life, the sounds of machinery from construction sites rushing to completion and the rhythmic clicking of looms from verandas echo – a unique sound signaling the approaching Tet holiday.

In particular, the commune authorities, villages, and people of Son Lam have proactively developed plans to celebrate the Lunar New Year in a joyful, warm, and culturally rich manner, while ensuring civility and economy.

Following Ms. Lo Thi Hien, President of the Women's Union of the commune, we went to Tan Ngoc village to visit the family of Ms. Vi Thi Lien, who has been involved in brocade weaving for many years. In front of her spacious house, Ms. Lien was diligently working at her loom, finishing the skirt of a nearly completed dress.

She shared: “Near Tet (Lunar New Year), the demand for brocade items like dresses, blouses, scarves, and belts increases significantly. I don't have enough time to make them all; I only accept orders from relatives and acquaintances. During Tet, women in the village and commune usually buy a new set of clothes to wear for Tet celebrations, festivals, weddings, and other events…”

According to Ms. Lo Thi Hien, more than 90% of residentsSon Lam communeThey are of the Thai ethnic group. Despite the many difficulties and hardships in their lives, Thai women here are always conscious of preserving their traditional clothing. Each woman usually has at least one or two sets of dresses to wear on joyous occasions in the family and village; especially during Tet (Vietnamese New Year), traditional clothing is indispensable.

Therefore, during this time, not only Mrs. Lien but also many weavers in the villages work at full capacity, day and night at their looms, but still cannot meet the demand.

As if to prove it, Ms. Hien then led us to Ma village – where many families are still involved in the traditional brocade weaving craft. We visited the homes of Ms. Vi Thi Can, Ms. Luong Thi Hue, and Ms. Lo Thi Hue, who were busy at their looms.

Inside the house, dresses, shirts, and scarves of various colors and sizes are neatly displayed, all freshly woven and waiting to be picked up. The atmosphere of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) is present in every thread and pattern.

Along with sewing and preparing traditional clothing, the people of Son Lam commune are also busy preparing food supplies to welcome Tet. Ms. Lo Thi Hang in Tan Ngoc village is one of the exemplary successful entrepreneurs, with over 1 hectare of tea and over 1 hectare of acacia trees, not to mention raising pigs and chickens; her average income is about 20 million VND per month.

Currently, her family's farm has over 20 pigs and nearly 100 chickens, all of which have been ordered by people in the village and commune to serve during the Lunar New Year.

In Tan Lan village, Ms. Lo Thi Nam is also known as a successful livestock farmer, specializing in supplying breeding pigs and pork to people in the commune. To meet the demand during Tet (Lunar New Year), Ms. Nam raised a batch of nearly 40 pigs; by this time, all of them have been pre-ordered.

As Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, traditional Thai dishes such as smoked meat and fish, and sausages start selling well and attracting many customers. In Thanh Duong village, members of the Thac Liep Cooperative and many households have processed these specialties in large quantities to meet the needs of people within and outside the commune.

Ms. Lo Thi Theu, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Thac Liep Cooperative, said: “There is still about a month until Tet (Lunar New Year), but the cooperative has already received many orders for dried meat, dried fish, and fish cakes… From now on, we have been preparing the ingredients and starting the processing, hoping to contribute to bringing a joyful and prosperous Tet to our people.”

Looking forward to the joyful season

Son Lam commune was established by merging Ngoc Lam and Thanh Son communes. It currently comprises 13 villages with over 12,300 inhabitants, mostly resettled residents from the Ban Ve hydroelectric reservoir (formerly Tuong Duong district). The poverty rate remains at 23.34%. Compared to the past, people's lives have improved significantly, with an average income of 34.3 million VND per person per year. However, compared to other communes in the region, Son Lam still faces considerable difficulties.

Nevertheless, the Thai and Khmu ethnic groups here are always conscious of preserving their traditional cultural identity, from clothing and language to customs and practices, especially the customs of celebrating the traditional Lunar New Year.

According to the leaders of Son Lam commune, in order to take care of the spiritual life of the people during Tet, especially policy beneficiaries, poor households, and households with difficult circumstances, the People's Committee of the commune has issued a plan to organize activities.Celebrating the Party, celebrating the SpringThe year of the Fire Horse, 2026.

A highlight is the Lunar New Year Fair, held over four days (from the 26th to the 29th of the 12th lunar month of the Year of the Snake), providing an opportunity for people from within and outside the commune to shop and engage in cultural exchange. The fair is associated with folk cultural activities such as gong and drum performances, traditional dances, drinking rice wine, and bamboo pole dancing, contributing to the rich flavor of Tet in this border region.

In addition, there are cultural exchange activities, gatherings of children returning home for Tet (Lunar New Year) from afar, and bonfires to welcome the New Year. On the 4th and 5th days of Tet, the commune organizes competitions in sports and folk games such as volleyball, throwing the ball, stick pushing, and tug-of-war from the village to the commune level; gatherings with respected community leaders and birthday celebrations for the elderly, creating a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere among all segments of the population.

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Responding to the Provincial Party Secretary's appeal for support for the poor during Tet (Lunar New Year), the commune has developed a plan to mobilize resources and help the poor celebrate the Spring Festival. Actively connecting with charitable organizations and philanthropists, they have organized programs such as "Warm Spring in the Border Region" and "Spring of Love," calling on officials and the people to join hands in sharing and ensuring that every family has a happy Tet.

Mr. Trinh Van Bang - Chairman of the People's Committee of Son Lam Commune

In the mountainous region of Son Lam, spring is arriving not only in the colors of flags, the scent of cooking smoke, and the bustling sounds of looms, but also in the quiet, enduring faith of the people who are building a new life day by day, together looking forward to a joyful spring.