Springtime Paths in Nghe An Province

SpringThey have returned to the coastal commune at the northernmost point of Nghe An province. Each easterly breeze carries the fresh breath of the ocean, gently caressing the air. At Quynh Lap fishing port (Hoang Mai town), 140 boats and ships from the Hoang Sa fishing grounds are returning, laden with shrimp and fish. The calls and laughter of boat owners, crew members, those working in the fishing industry's logistics, and traders fill the air.

Fishing boats from Quynh Lap return after a long fishing trip. Photo: Thanh Cuong.

TetWith the arrival of spring, many difficulties of the past year have been dispelled… The fishermen of Quynh Lap commune are accustomed to natural disasters, storms, and rough seas. They have always remained resilient, clinging to the sea to exploit marine resources and protect the Fatherland. However, unexpectedly, last year, Quynh Lap commune was hit twice by the Covid-19 pandemic, with nearly 100 F0 cases and hundreds of F1 cases (the first in May, the second in November). The forced isolation, lockdown, and social distancing measures, along with the discrimination against harvested seafood by some people, resulting in difficulties and low prices, have significantly impacted the economic and social lives of the people.

With the pandemic temporarily receding, life is gradually returning to normal. Meeting at the Quỳnh Lập fishing port, Mr. Phan Văn Hải – Chairman of the Quỳnh Lập Fisheries Association – had a smile on his face. Mr. Hải shared: “The impact of the pandemic made fishing and seafood trading very difficult. Many boat owners were exhausted and didn't dare go out to sea, and many crew members were considering abandoning the profession. But then, Resolution 128 was issued, gradually reviving the fishing industry. After long voyages, many boats have returned to port with large catches. On average, the workers on these trips earn between 10 and 15 million VND, enough for a comfortable Tet holiday. The boat owners have also felt some relief from their worries…”

At Ms. Le Thi Nhung's seafood shop in Tam Tien village, Quynh Lap commune, there is a bustling flow of people packing goods for export to localities within and outside the province. Ms. Nhung happily shared: "Sales are booming. The best-selling items are dried squid, mackerel, and cuttlefish. These are also products often purchased as gifts during the Lunar New Year. Prices have increased slightly."

All worries about life are temporarily set aside, making way for joy and family reunion. (Archival photo)

After the upheaval, in the coastal village of Quỳnh Lập, as Tet approaches, the houses are brightly decorated, the streets are cleaner and more orderly. Trucks come and go in an orderly fashion. Gone is the hustle and bustle; people gather in small groups. A completely new way of life has emerged.

Mr. Nguyen Van Nho, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Lap commune, shared: "After all, the people of the commune have become more confident and united in overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic. Now life has returned to normal, but everyone has adopted the '5K' habit to fight the pandemic, avoiding large gatherings, and remaining vigilant against risks... With unity, determination, and effort, in the new year, life will surely be brighter and more prosperous."

Spring has arrived, and the warm breezes seem to make the flowers even more vibrant along the roads from the coast to the mountainous region of Nghe An. The flower fields and eco-tourism areas in the red soil of Phu Quy become fresh and welcoming to visitors from near and far. The Hon Mat eco-tourism area and hotel is no exception. Just over four months ago, this area was a desolate and barren wasteland. It was born during the time when the entire province was implementing Directive 16, and now it has become a new destination on the Nghe An tourism map.

Spring flowers bloom at Hon Mat tourist area. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Mr. Dang Trong Tan, Director of the tourist area, shared: "Previously, this tourist area had been approved for investment. However, the previous investor lacked the resources to complete the project, so it was abandoned. The tourist area is in a very beautiful location, and leaving it abandoned is a great waste. As natives of this area, we felt very sorry for it, so we decided to join forces to rebuild it. At the time we started, we only thought that the pandemic would last a long time, but then, as the Covid-19 vaccination rate increased, people would have to live with the disease… We focused our efforts on rapid construction, and now the tourist area has begun to take shape. It's very encouraging that the number of visitors coming to visit and relax is very high. During this Tet holiday, we are focusing on business while simultaneously implementing anti-epidemic measures to ensure sustainability."

The further we went, the higher we climbed, the more new things we saw. From Nghia Dan to Que Phong, we saw many construction projects, factories, and tourist areas being built and springing up. Many garment and wood factories have just been established and are beginning to operate.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hoai, Chairman of the Quy Chau District People's Committee, happily reported the encouraging news from his hometown: "Last year, a large number of workers who lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic returned home. From the beginning, the district directed businesses in the area to increase the amount of timber harvested; construction companies prioritized hiring local workers. Thanks to this, many jobs have been created, and people have an income to support their lives and have a decent Tet holiday."

Thai girls from Quy Chau visit the fields. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Adapting flexibly to the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2022, Quy Chau district directed the acceleration of the plan for exploiting planted forests, increasing the planted forest area to create jobs and income for unskilled laborers. In addition, the district focused on attracting businesses to invest and open factories in the area. Currently, several investment projects have begun to receive funding; one industrial garment factory, linked with vocational training and job placement, has started operating with 150 workers; the factory is currently opening two more branches in Chau Binh and Chau Binh communes (two communes with a large number of returning laborers). In 2022, it is expected that two wood processing factories will be built, with at least one factory becoming operational.

Among the crowds of people heading up the mountain for spring excursions, many tourists were seen in small groups visiting Co Muong Homestay (Chau Kim commune, Que Phong district). Co Muong Homestay was established and began operating in September 2021; it involves three households and provides employment for five regular workers (excluding the owners), with an income of 5 million VND per month. On weekends, Co Muong is always fully booked. Guests order 8-10 meals a day. At Co Muong, visitors can enjoy the culture, folk songs, folk dances, and cuisine of the Thai ethnic group. This is an ideal resting place during a trip to explore Sao Va Waterfall, Bay Tang Waterfall, Hua Na Hydroelectric Reservoir, and Chin Gian Temple…

Homestay Co Muong is preparing to welcome guests. Photo: Thanh Cuong

In front of the Co Muong Homestay is a beautiful natural stream teeming with valuable aquatic species. According to Mr. Luong Van Son, Chairman of the Chau Kim Commune People's Committee: Currently, along with focusing on transforming crops and livestock, from common rice varieties to the specialty sticky rice of the Thai people, clean vegetables, and golden flower tea; from pig farming to goat farming, following a farm model. In addition, the commune is also building models to conserve valuable local aquatic species to serve tourism… Co Muong was born during the pandemic and achieved success. Building on this momentum, in 2022, the commune will have an additional community-based tourism area dedicated to preserving the Thai ethnic group, promising to create many jobs for the people and boost production and service activities.

This Tet holiday, Chau Kim commune is determined to maintain an "absolutely safe green zone." Chau Kim commune has been implementing very effective methods to combat the epidemic and protect its green areas. The commune has focused on educating residents to strictly follow the "5K" recommendations and understand epidemic prevention measures; established 54 community COVID-19 teams in 6 villages, regularly monitoring and reporting the appearance of strangers in the area; compiled and collected phone numbers of all children working outside the commune, and created a Zalo group to disseminate information and facilitate early reporting upon their return so that measures can be taken to prevent and control the disease from the outset (according to statistics, the entire commune has 83 people working away from home who have returned, are returning, or will return during Tet).

The blossoming peach flowers herald the arrival of spring in western Nghe An province. Photo: Duc Anh

In the spring, the roads of western Nghe An province are bustling with people and vehicles traveling from the high-altitude districts of Que Phong and Ky Son, and vice versa. The mountains and hills are lush green, and the villages are prosperous. In the fields and on the hillsides, after a bountiful harvest, the newly planted rice, corn, and cassava cover the land in green.

Mr. Luong Van Thanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nhon Mai commune (Tuong Duong district), said: "Last year, the commune was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, but the economic life of the people was not significantly impacted. The pandemic coincided with the agricultural off-season. Workers who lost their jobs returned home and immediately found work harvesting cassava, then planting rice and corn. Now, these returning workers have all received 2-3 doses of the vaccine, and after Tet (Lunar New Year), they will look for new jobs in industrial zones. Nhon Mai will still be very happy this Tet…"

With Tet (Lunar New Year) approaching, Chom Lom village in Lang Khe commune (Con Cuong district) has returned to a new normal. The first Covid-19 infection in this village was detected on December 10, 2021. Subsequently, testing revealed that all seven villages in the commune had confirmed cases, totaling 151 F0 cases. Chom Lom village was specifically classified as level 4… Thanks to the many proactive measures implemented, Chom Lom and Lang Khe in general have overcome the pandemic. Those infected are all healthy and have returned home. “If epidemics or natural disasters cause damage, people will compensate for it with land,” shared Ms. Lo Thi Hoa, a resident of Lang Khe commune, expressing her determination as they begin planting sugarcane and rice in the spring.

Mr. Luong Dinh Viet, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Con Cuong District, shared on the eve of the Lunar New Year: After a year of fighting the pandemic, the most optimistic and joyful thing is that the people have become more resilient and adaptable. Everyone has better awareness, is more united, and has more faith in the leadership of the Party and the State. Last year, despite many difficulties, Con Cuong District achieved its economic and social goals; social order and safety were ensured. With the new year approaching, Con Cuong District will continue to leverage its strengths in agricultural and forestry production to develop the locality and build a prosperous life.