(Baonghean.vn) - Nestled on the banks of the Ban Ve hydroelectric reservoir, Phia Oi is the most economically disadvantaged village in Nhon Mai commune, Tuong Duong district. The village only received national grid electricity at the end of October 2023.
Phia Oi village is about 8km from the center of Nhon Mai commune. The road to this Khmu village requires crossing a river about 200m wide. Locals assemble wooden rafts alongside motorboats to transport people and vehicles across the river. Photo: Dinh TuyenPhia Òi used to border Mường Lống commune, Kỳ Sơn district, more than 20km from its current location. People began moving to this location in 2010, and the village was established in 2014. Photo: Đình TuyênAccording to Xeo Van Dinh, 33 years old (a police officer in Phia Oi village since 2014): Currently, the village has 41 households and 185 inhabitants. The entire village has one Thai household, the rest are Khmu people. Photo: Huu ViThe Phia Òi village has clans such as Xeo, Moong, Cụt, Hắp, Lương… According to Mr. Xeo Văn Quế, a respected village elder, the villagers still maintain basic customs. The people mainly live in stilt houses. Each house has two kitchens: one for daily cooking, and the other for worship during festivals and holidays. The Khơ mú people in Phia Òi still maintain a traditional New Year celebration called “grơ”. Photo: Đình TuyênAccording to Mr. Xeo Van Dinh, no household in the village has escaped poverty. The majority of the people here mainly live by farming, raising livestock and poultry. Due to the hilly terrain, wet rice cultivation is impossible. Photo: Dinh TuyenMeanwhile, some households cling to the riverbank, both transporting passengers and fishing to earn extra income. Photo: Huu ViHaving been accustomed only to slash-and-burn agriculture and gathering from nature in the mountains and forests, the Khmu people of Phia Oi developing their economy through riverine activities can be considered a new development for this community. Photo: Dinh TuyenAs with many other Khmu villages, a visit to Phia Oi still gives one the feeling of a rather slow-paced life, with elderly men and women leisurely sitting on their porches or by their windows. Photo: Dinh TuyenAt over 90 years old, Mr. Xeo Van May is currently the oldest living person in Phia Oi. Photo: Dinh TuyenPhia Òi was the last hamlet in Nhôn Mai commune to receive national grid electricity at the end of October 2023. According to Mr. Xeo Văn Định, previously, the villagers mainly used self-generated electricity from small turbines placed in the stream, resulting in an unstable power supply. The national grid will give the villagers more opportunities to develop their economy. Currently, most of the villagers have electricity, with only a few households still without it because they are working far away or facing some paperwork issues that prevent them from signing contracts with the electricity sector. Photo: Hữu Vi
