The challenges in Bao Nam

(Baonghean) - Bao Nam commune (Ky Son district) has 10 villages, over 600 households with approximately 4,000 inhabitants. In recent years, the government has invested in building several welfare facilities to serve the socio-economic life here, such as paving the road from Huu Kiem commune to the center of Bao Nam commune (nearly 20 km); extending the electricity grid to some villages; building sturdy and modern schools and health stations; and installing and constructing clean water facilities throughout the villages.

Compared to other communes in the district, Bao Nam remains one of the most disadvantaged, despite being only about 20 km from the district center. The poverty rate is over 70%. The infrastructure is incomplete and cannot meet the needs of socio-economic development. Currently, more than half of the villages do not have access to the power grid; people have to rely on electricity from mini-hydroelectric plants or kerosene lamps for lighting. Therefore, audiovisual media cannot develop, limiting the needs for cultural and spiritual life, the level of education, and the ability to apply scientific and technological advancements to production. Some villages currently lack community cultural centers. This significantly affects community activities, cultural and artistic exchanges, and hinders the dissemination of information to the grassroots level, a major goal of the Culture sector.

Internal transportation is a pressing issue in Bao Nam at present. The roads from the commune center to the villages are still rough and difficult, mostly accessible only on foot. During the rainy season, these roads are almost always blocked by landslides. In particular, to reach some remote villages from the commune center, people have to "borrow" roads from other communes. For example, to reach the villages of Khe Nap, Huoi Lau, and Pha Lang, one has to travel approximately 80 km, passing through the communes of Huu Lap, Huu Kiem, Muong Xen town, Ta Ca, Pha Danh, and Huoi Tu.

The main source of income for the people of Bao Nam is slash-and-burn agriculture. However, due to the steep slopes, outdated farming techniques, and complete dependence on natural conditions, crop yields here are consistently low, even very low, causing frequent food shortages for many households. In addition, although there is an advantage in developing livestock farming, it remains fragmented, mainly involving free-range grazing, and the people lack the capital to expand their operations. The people of Bao Nam still have limited awareness of environmental hygiene; the practice of keeping livestock confined under the house floor and allowing them to roam freely throughout the village remains quite common.

In a conversation with us, Mr. Ven Pho Xuc, Secretary of the Party Committee of Bao Nam commune, stated: “To help Bao Nam escape poverty, the State needs to help the locality solve the ‘difficulties’ in infrastructure to promote socio-economic development. This includes completing the power transmission line system and upgrading roads to the villages, investing in the construction of community cultural centers, repairing damaged water supply facilities, guiding the application of scientific and technological advancements, and researching and supporting the development of suitable plant and animal breeds...”

Bui Cong