Na Xai - a party cell rising up in the border area

Effectiveness of thematic activities

We arrived in Na Xai on a winter afternoon, just before Tet. According to the introduction of the “navigator” Ha Huy (Border Guard Station Hanh Dich), Na Xai is a “difficult land” – 30km from the commune center. The mountain passes are unique with sharp turns and steep slopes. The road leading to Na Xai is 2/3 of the way on a rocky road, rocky, rough and jagged.

After more than 1 hour of traveling, welcoming us, Na Xai Party Cell Secretary Ha Van Binh shared: Despite the difficulties, with the attention of Party committees at all levels, local authorities, especially the border guards, who have come to work with the Party Cell, propagandize and mobilize people to abandon backward customs in production and daily life; invest in quality seeds and seedlings, apply science, and build the economy with people, so life is improving every day.

Border guards of Hanh Dich commune regularly visit and participate in activities with the Na Xai Party Cell. Photo: My Nga.

With the support of party members to strengthen the activities, the Na Xai Party Cell with 15 party members always strictly implements the regulations on party cell activities, focusing on effective thematic activities. For example, thematic activities on new rural construction, thematic activities on livestock development associated with forest protection, etc.

One of the main directions identified by the Na Xai Party cell to mobilize and direct people to implement is to focus on developing livestock farming and zoning and planting protective forests. In 2017, the rice area of ​​the Na Xai people reached 18 hectares, the whole village received 426 hectares of special-use forests and protective forests of the Pu Hoat Nature Reserve. In addition, people also promoted livestock farming and afforestation.

The vast fields and special-use protective forests that the locals have taken care of have taken shape. Na Xai is green and prosperous. Photo: My Nga

To spread to the people, party members in the cell volunteered to do it first. Party cell secretary Ha Van Binh is always a pioneer in developing livestock, agricultural production, fish farming, herds of dozens of buffaloes, cows, and goats combined with planting acacia and cinnamon to develop raw material forests.

Changing the way of thinking and doing of ethnic minorities is not easy, but there has been an initial change. Na Xai people have gradually had a prosperous life by overcoming the mindset of waiting and relying on others, and knowing how to take advantage of land and technology in production. Currently, the poverty rate of Na Xai is only 41%, in 2017, 8 poor households were reduced compared to 2016.

During the season of bamboo shoots, Na Xai people also go to the forest to pick bamboo shoots to earn extra income. Photo: My Nga

Bright spot on the border

Thanks to the stable income, households have gradually escaped poverty, have the conditions to take care of their cultural and spiritual life, and send their children to school. Therefore, Na Xai is also known as a bright spot in the educational and cultural movement. Party members in the cell regularly visit each household to mobilize children to go to school.

Currently, the village has 3 children who are students studying at universities and colleges. Notably, some of them have returned to work in the commune or border guard station after finishing their studies, contributing their strength and intelligence to the development of their homeland. This is also the source for the Party cell to develop Party members every year. In 2018, the Na Xai Party cell had 5 outstanding people attend the Party admission training class. Each year, 1-2 new Party members are admitted, meeting the set target.

To have electricity for daily life, the people of Na Xai village have created a manual machine to generate electricity. Photo: Hoai Thu

As a border village, along with the focus on economic development, the Na Xai Party Cell also pays special attention to leading and directing the building of great national unity and the spiritual and cultural life of the people. Especially the preservation, maintenance and development of national cultural identity. Accordingly, many cultural groups and organizations have been established such as: a gong association with 20 members, a Thai brocade weaving group run by the women's association... Secretary Ha Van Binh excitedly shared: "All of these are the foundation for developing community ecotourism, associated with the project to maintain the ancient Thai village in Na Xai in the future".

Three-tiered waterfall - one of Na Xai's community tourism spots. Photo: My Nga.

Not only developing the economy and culture, the people here also join hands to maintain national security and defense in the border area. The Party cell has coordinated with the police and border guards to regularly organize trips to households to mobilize, disseminate knowledge of the law and policies of the Party and State, and sign pledges not to let family members get involved in social evils, and actively participate in the fight against and denounce crimes.

Comrade Nguyen Ba Kiem - an officer of Hanh Dich Border Guard Station, who was promoted to Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Hanh Dich Commune and participated in Party cell activities in Na Xai, said: "The Na Xai Party cell is also a bright spot in the mass movement to protect national security in the highlands. For many years, the village has been free of crime, drug abuse, and illegal migration."

Lush green vegetable beds in Na Xai. Photo: Hoai Thu.

The white color of plum blossoms signals the arrival of spring in Na Xai village. Photo: My Nga.

And we believe that the lives of Na Xai people will become more and more stable, prosperous, and brighter...

Hoai Thu - My Nga