Nghe An province focuses on building a team of influential figures in ethnic minority areas.

The village's pillar

In recent years, the lives of the Thai people in Tan Hop village, Ngoc Lam commune (Thanh Chuong district) have improved significantly. Many roads have been paved with asphalt and concrete, and more sturdy houses have been built.

The lush green tea and acacia hills provide the people with a stable income, allowing families to focus on their work and production. This flourishing development is the result of many factors, including the significant contribution of village elder Kha Duong Tuyen (born in 1965), a respected figure and former Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of the commune.

From 2006 to 2009, families from Tan Hop village gradually moved from the reservoir area of ​​Ban Ve hydroelectric power plant (Tuong Duong) to the resettlement area.Ngoc Lam commune(Thanh Chuong). Initially, life was full of difficulties, with food shortages, lack of jobs, and almost no source of income, forcing many to return to their hometowns to find a way to make a living.

To help people stabilize their lives, the district and commune have prioritized the development of tea plantations and acacia trees. As the Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of the commune and a respected figure in the village, Mr. Kha Duong Tuyen has actively encouraged villagers to stay on the land and hills to plant and care for these raw material trees.

“Initially, most people weren’t enthusiastic about tea and acacia trees because they required a lot of care and the waiting time for harvest was too long, while in their old village, farming was quicker. I persistently went to each house to persuade them, using logic and reason, and finally, they realized the long-term benefits and decided to switch,” Mr. Tuyen said.

After some time, the gardens and hills in Tan Hop were covered with the green of tea and acacia trees. Today, the area planted with tea has reached over 55 hectares, and acacia trees over 92 hectares. Thanks to this, more than 210 households in the village have a stable source of income, and all children of school age attend school. Currently, the village has 17 students in junior high school, 16 in high school, and 4 attending university.

Mr. Lo Bua Kham, head of Tan Hop village, said: “With his prestige, Mr. Kha Duong Tuyen not only participates in mobilizing people to focus on economic development and stabilizing their lives, but also propagates the fight against social evils, especially drug abuse. Through this, he helps build a peaceful, clean, and increasingly civilized village.”

From Tan Hop, we went to Tan Lam village to meet Mr. Lo Thien Phuc (born in 1954).reputable personHaving served as the former Chairman of the People's Committee of Luan Mai commune (old) in Tuong Duong district and having spent many years as the Party Secretary of Tan Hop village, Mr. Phuc understands the life, mindset, and business practices of each family in the village.

Like Mr. Tuyen, Mr. Phuc is recognized for his efforts in mobilizing the people to develop tea and acacia plantations, gradually stabilizing their economic lives and raising the average income to over 40 million VND per person per year.

In addition, Mr. Phuc has also achieved success in mobilizing the people to effectively implement the Population and Family Planning policy. For 10 consecutive years (from 2011 to 2020), no one in the village had a third child or more. When couples have fewer children, they have the opportunity to focus on developing their family economy and provide their children with a proper education.

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Currently, the entire commune has six people elected as respected community leaders. This team of respected community leaders serves as a pillar of support for each village, providing strong assistance to the village management boards and commune leaders in mobilizing the people to develop the economy, stabilize society, and effectively implement the policies and laws of the Party and the State.”

Mr. Vi Van Tuyen – Secretary of the Party Committee of Ngoc Lam Commune

Caring for and nurturing these "great figures"

Currently, the province has 983 respected individuals, who are considered symbols of the will and strength of the villages. With their prestige and influence, the team of village elders and respected individuals are truly important factors contributing to building, consolidating, and promoting the strength of national unity.

In response to the "National Unity Movement for Building a Culturally Rich Life in Residential Areas," the village elders and influential figures have actively mobilized villagers to effectively implement policies and guidelines, contributing to...eradicating hunger and povertyand promoting awareness and a sense of responsibility among each citizen towards the community. Notable examples include Mr. Lo Minh Tien in Phuc Son commune (Anh Son district), Mr. Vu Xia Va in Luu Kien commune (Tuong Duong district), and Mr. Loc Vinh Thuong in Lang Khe commune (Con Cuong district)...

Furthermore, village elders and respected individuals directly guide and mobilize the people to eliminate outdated customs and superstitious practices; they set an example in implementing the Population and Family Planning policy; participate in building and implementing village regulations and conventions, practicing democracy at the grassroots level; actively participate in resolving complex issues arising from the grassroots, mediating conflicts among the people; and participate in and mobilize the masses to implement movements such as: "All people protect national security," "Maintaining security and order in residential areas," etc.

Many respected individuals, despite their advanced age, remain enthusiastic in grassroots work, holding positions such as Party branch secretary, village head, head of the Fatherland Front and other mass organizations; participating as heads of mediation and security teams; and serving as exemplary members of social organizations. These respected individuals also actively encourage their children, relatives, and all citizens to participate in mass organizations.

Understanding the role of village elders and influential figures in ethnic minority communities, Party committees, government agencies, and mass organizations have actively built, strengthened, and honored them. They have implemented policies and regulations correctly, and regularly visited and listened to the aspirations of village elders and influential figures in the villages.

The Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs organized the dissemination and provision of information to influential individuals; The province distributed copies of the Nghe An newspaper and the Ethnic Minorities and Development newspaper directly to each individual. Annually, the province and districts organized conferences to honor exemplary village elders, community leaders, and influential figures; visited and presented gifts during the Lunar New Year and other festivals of ethnic minorities; and provided material support during illness. They also organized study tours and exchanges of experiences on socio-economic development, new rural construction, and preserving cultural identity for village elders, community leaders, and influential figures.

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"Esteemed individuals are a core force, wielding significant influence among ethnic minority communities in all areas of the economy, politics, culture, society, security, and national defense. They are considered the 'pillars' of the village. Over the years, the province has built a team of influential individuals among ethnic minorities, serving as the core nucleus for bringing the Party's policies and the State's laws to villages, hamlets, and individual households."

Mr. Vi Van Son - Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions

Cong Kien