Tien Phong: Effectively exploiting local potential, striving to become the top of the Northwestern border region

Border commune rich in cultural identitya

Tien Phong Commune, Nghe An Province, was established on the basis of merging Tien Phong and Hanh Dich communes of the old Que Phong district, with a large natural area of ​​up to 319.02 km². Currently, the commune manages 18 villages with nearly 14,500 people, equivalent to about 3,174 households. This is the main place of residence of the Thai, Kho Mu and Kinh ethnic groups, in which ethnic minorities account for more than 91% of the total population. This ethnic diversity creates a rich and unique culture, contributing to the unique identity of the northwestern border region of Nghe An province.

Tien Phong has a special geographical location, being a border commune adjacent to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, with a border of more than 13 km and managing 4 national border markers (numbers 367, 368, 369 and 370). This location plays an important role in the strategy of protecting national border sovereignty, ensuring regional defense and security, and at the same time creating a foundation for sustainable socio-economic development.

The commune's terrain is mainly mountains and forests interwoven with a system of natural streams, creating a diverse ecological space with great potential for agricultural, forestry and eco-tourism development. Ethnic villages located along the mountain slopes and streams still retain their pristine beauty with traditional stilt houses with thatched roofs and typical po mu wooden roofs - a unique cultural feature of the ethnic minorities here.

Culturally, Tien Phong is a place that preserves many unique traditional values ​​such as traditional festivals, costumes, cuisine and unique customs of the Thai and Kho Mu ethnic groups. These cultural features are not only invaluable assets but also an important driving force for developing community tourism, creating sustainable livelihoods for local people.

In addition to natural and cultural advantages, Tien Phong commune is also facing many challenges such as rugged terrain, limited transportation and uneven socio-economic development. However, with the determination of the Party Committee and the people, and the support from development programs for remote and isolated areas, Tien Phong is gradually exploiting its existing potential effectively, building a border commune with comprehensive and sustainable development, contributing to improving the material and spiritual life of the people.

Promote the power of solidarity,comprehensive development

During the 2020 - 2025 term, Tien Phong Commune Party Committee has focused on leading and directing economic development in a sustainable direction, suitable to local conditions. Three key economic zones have been formed, including: tourism - service - trade zone; rice growing zone; and forest growing zone combined with conservation of indigenous medicinal herbs. Thanks to the right orientation, the average growth rate of added value (VAT) of the whole commune reached 8.05%/year, the average income per capita by 2025 reached 27.59 million VND. The economic structure has shifted positively towards gradually reducing the proportion of agriculture and increasing the proportion of industry and services.

Agriculture and forestry continued to play a leading role with a total production value of over 205 billion VND. The rice area was maintained at 878 hectares, with an average yield of 54.25 quintals/hectare; the average food output per capita reached 389 kg/year. Forest protection and development was focused on, bringing the forest coverage to 81.25%. Along with that, precious medicinal plants such as cardamom, codonopsis, and yellow tea were developed in the direction of commodities. Livestock and aquaculture have developed, contributing to diversifying people's livelihoods.

Small-scale industry, construction and trade - service have many changes. Some traditional occupations such as brocade weaving (Dan village), bamboo and rattan weaving (Phuong Tien 1 village, Na Cay) have been restored, creating jobs for workers. The total value of trade - services by 2025 is estimated to reach nearly 99 billion VND. Community tourism has initially taken shape with Long Thang village tourist site (Hua Muong village cluster) recognized as a provincial tourist site, attracting over 5,000 visitors each year, contributing to promoting the local image and developing sustainable livelihoods.

The new rural development program has achieved many positive results. By 2025, the commune will have completed 16/19 criteria, with one village meeting new rural standards and another expected to be completed this year. Essential infrastructure such as electricity, roads, schools, and stations have been invested in and upgraded, gradually changing the face of the countryside.

The cultural and social fields continue to be stable. Education has many positive changes, the rate of children going to school is 100%, the quality of mass and key education has been improved. Currently, the whole commune has 6/7 schools meeting national standards, of which Tien Phong 1 Primary School meets level 2 standards. Health care is given attention, the commune maintains national health standards; vaccination programs, disease prevention, and primary health care are effectively implemented.

Social security is focused on implementing the right subjects in a timely manner. The poverty rate has decreased sharply, from 42.78% (in 2020) to 32.2% (in 2025). During the term, the commune mobilized many resources to build new and repair 419 houses for poor households with housing difficulties. The rate of people participating in health insurance reached 100%, social insurance reached 17%.

National defense and security were maintained. The militia and communal police forces operated effectively, proactively grasped the situation, maintained social order and safety, and promoted the movement of the entire people to protect national security. The model of "Drug-free commune" was vigorously implemented and achieved clear results. Foreign affairs associated with national border protection were maintained through exchange activities, coordinated bilateral patrols with Laos, contributing to building a peaceful and friendly border.

Tien Phong Commune also pays special attention to the application of science and technology, promoting digital transformation in management, production and social life. Many models such as medicinal plant cultivation, biological livestock farming, use of organic products... bring clear economic efficiency. Information technology infrastructure is increasingly modern, actively supporting people in accessing information and public services.

Tien Phong aims to make a breakthrough in the 2025-2030 term

Entering the 2025-2030 term, on the basis of the achievements, the Party Committee and the People of Tien Phong commune have determined the general goals: continue to build a clean and strong Party and political system; improve the quality of Party cell activities; promote democracy and the great national unity bloc; preserve and promote the cultural identity of ethnic groups. At the same time, the commune focuses on effectively exploiting the potential and advantages to develop business, services, agriculture and forestry in the direction of commodity production, increasing product value.

In addition, the locality promotes innovation, applies science and technology, carries out comprehensive digital transformation; pays attention to environmental protection, responds to climate change; maintains national defense and security, especially border security, ensures political stability, social order and safety. The goal by 2030 is to build Tien Phong into a top-developed commune in the Northwestern border area of ​​Nghe An province.

To realize this goal, Tien Phong commune has set out 23 key targets in the fields of economy, culture - society, environment, national defense - security and building the political system. Along with that are 5 key task groups, 3 strategic breakthroughs and 2 main solution groups to mobilize maximum resources, promote combined strength, and create breakthrough development in the whole commune.

Three breakthroughs are clearly identified and strategic.The first,Improve the quality of human resources - consider this as the foundation of sustainable development. The commune will strengthen the planning, training, and recruitment of cadres, civil servants, and public employees with qualities, abilities, and aspirations to contribute, meeting the requirements of the new period.

Monday, focusing resources on developing digital infrastructure, promoting digital transformation in leadership and management activities. The application of information technology will contribute to improving the effectiveness of administrative reform, shortening the time for processing procedures for people, and increasing the effectiveness of state management. At the same time, the commune will also promote the application of digital technology in production and business to improve productivity, quality and competitiveness of local products.

Tuesday,Maximize the potential and advantages of the locality; develop the economy based on the strengths of agriculture, forestry, services and community tourism. Combining the preservation of traditional culture with the development of ecotourism is considered a strategic direction to promote economic restructuring, create jobs, increase income and build sustainable new rural areas.

Lo Thi Nguyet - Deputy Secretary, Chairman of Tien Phong Commune People's Committee