Dai Dong, the place where aspirations to rise up converge...

Potential and challenges after merger

Sitting on the Lam River dike, looking at the slowly flowing water, Mr. Nguyen Duy Hop, a resident of Phat Son village, Dai Dong commune confided: "Dai Dong is now very large, going from one end of the commune to the other, if you take your time, it will take an hour. But we are happy because this land is like a common home, everyone can find themselves in it". That simple sharing partly encapsulates the new picture of Dai Dong commune formed from the merger of 5 administrative units, with an area of ​​nearly 78 km² and a population of more than 63 thousand people.

In the central position, Dai Dong is like a heart, where major roads meet, connecting the mountains with the plains, connecting the countryside with the city. In this area, there are both the old district capital, Dung town and prosperous villages stretching out. That combination creates a "convergence area" that is both bustling with the market town and peaceful with the fields.

But this vastness and diversity pose many challenges. Managing a densely populated community with different customs and lifestyles requires the government to be delicate in its management, maintaining uniformity while respecting the unique nuances of each region. Connecting infrastructure, unifying public services, and reconciling development gaps between regions are all issues that require time and a long-term vision.

But looking at it positively, this is an opportunity for Dai Dong to promote its great potential: large agricultural land fund to develop commodity agriculture; convenient traffic location to expand services and trade; abundant labor resources to promote industry and handicrafts. More importantly, the establishment of the Commune Party Committee with more than 3,700 party members is like a "political resonance", creating a united and unified strength for comprehensive leadership. Now united, Dai Dong is like a large sail, as long as there is wind, it will fly far.

Outstanding mark

Talking about the 2020-2025 term of Dai Dong commune, many people compare it to a journey through the waves. The fierce waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, the storms of natural disasters, and market prices. But in the midst of hardship, the people of Dai Dong still know how to manage to stand firm and move forward.

In the beach area, corn fields, squash fields, and lush green vegetable fields are watered by automatic sprinkler systems; in the hilly areas, chicken and cow farms apply closed-loop farming processes; on the outskirts of the village, orange and grapefruit gardens are laden with fruit according to organic and VietGAP standards, along with modern greenhouses and net houses... That is evidence of the effort to transform from traditional agriculture to high-tech, commodity agriculture. The whole commune maintains an average economic growth rate of 9.88% per year, with an estimated 10.67% in 2025.

Per capita income increased rapidly, from over 50 million VND in 2020 to nearly 78 million VND in 2025. The economic structure shifted positively: agriculture - forestry - fishery decreased from 23.57% to 19.73%, while industry - construction increased from 36.2% to 38.65%, trade - services from 40.23% to 41.62%. But more importantly, it is the new confidence of farmers in the path of commodity production, in "making up for quantity with quality". People not only grow to eat, to sell in the village market, but also to go further, to supermarkets, to e-commerce platforms.

The program of building new rural areas and civilized urban areas has also left many marks. Wide concrete roads to every alley, spacious village gates, national standard schools... are the result of consensus. "On the day of road construction, people contributed labor and money, those who had strength contributed, those who had money contributed. New commune, new houses, new roads, people's hearts were filled with joy", said Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, a resident.

By 2025, the whole commune has 5/5 predecessor units meeting new rural standards; 1 unit is recognized as a "civilized urban area"; some communes meet advanced standards. During the term, the commune has 11 products recognized as 3-star OCOP, from rice vermicelli, oranges, grapefruits to fine art wooden products, raising the brand of local agricultural products. Cultural and social life has also changed a lot. Schools maintain quality, many students are excellent at the provincial and national levels. The medical station meets national standards, people are more secure about health care. Mass cultural and sports activities are vibrant, creating an atmosphere of community cohesion. Social security is taken care of, hundreds of houses for poor households are built, bringing warm smiles to those who still have difficult lives.

These numbers are not only proof of development, but also reflect the new vitality that is emerging, created from the consensus and unanimity of tens of thousands of people.

Aspirations of a new land

Entering the new term, with a new mindset, the government and people of Dai Dong commune put their trust in the new resolution, a resolution that not only sets out numbers, but also outlines a future close to the lives of each person. That aspiration is materialized in the vision to 2030: Average income per capita strives to reach 120-125 million VND/year, one and a half times higher than the present; budget revenue exceeds 112 billion VND, many times higher than the beginning of the previous term; economic growth rate is maintained at 11-12%/year, creating a vibrant rhythm for a changing countryside.

The picture of the economic structure is also clearly drawn: Industry - construction and trade - services account for over four-fifths, agriculture gradually reduces its proportion but improves its quality. Social life is given comprehensive attention, from education, health care to culture and social security. In particular, the commune aims to have at least 15 3-4 star OCOP products by 2030, including products reaching regional and national markets.

To realize that aspiration, Dai Dong has chosen specific steps, both immediate and long-term. First of all, infrastructure - the foundation for all development. Inter-commune and inter-village roads will continue to be expanded and solidified; schools and medical stations will be upgraded to meet high standards; 95% of villages and hamlets have spacious cultural houses, creating a space for community activities. In parallel, digital transformation and administrative reform are promoted, so that the government is closer to the people, administrative procedures are transparent and quick, creating favorable conditions for people and businesses.

In the economic field, the commune encourages the development of new cooperatives, linking farmers with businesses along the value chain. From fields, farms to dining tables, Dai Dong products will be strictly managed, traced, and branded to go further. In addition, small-scale industries, trade and services are expanded, taking advantage of the central location of the district.

“The goal by 2030 is not just about income or budget figures, but more importantly, building a civilized and modern Dai Dong that still retains the soul of the countryside, so that every citizen feels proud and happy when talking about their homeland.”

Comrade Tran Thanh Nga - Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of Dai Dong Commune People's Committee

Cultural and social life is identified as a pillar that goes hand in hand with economic development. The tradition of studiousness and the movement to encourage learning and talent will continue to be preserved and promoted. Cultural, artistic and sports activities will spread widely, creating spaces for community cohesion. Social security is focused on with the goal of reducing multidimensional poverty to below 0.5%, so that no one is left behind.

Above all, the work of building the Party and the political system remains the foundation. The Party Committee with more than 3,700 members is expected to be the core of comprehensive leadership, continuing to promote the spirit of solidarity, setting an example, being close to the people, and listening to the people. The young cadres are trained and nurtured to be capable of shouldering the tasks in the new period.

Dai Dong today is the resonance of history and present, of aspiration and belief. From the vast fields to the bustling markets, from the eyes of hard-working farmers to the confident smiles of young entrepreneurs, all show a land that is changing strongly. The birth of the new commune is not only a change on the administrative map, but also a push to ignite the spirit of dedication, creativity, and unity in construction.

The road ahead is certainly full of difficulties: fierce market competition, climate change, regional disparities... But it is in the midst of hardship that Dai Dong has more motivation to prove its mettle. The goals set from income, budget, poverty rate, to infrastructure, culture, education - are not simply numbers, but promises to the people, the motivation for each cadre and each citizen to strive every day.

That belief is being affirmed through each construction project, each production model, each class, each market session. And if we can maintain the flame of solidarity, promote the inherent intellectual strength and strong will, Dai Dong will not only be a top commune of Nghe An, but also become a model of convergence and rise in the new era. It is a long journey, requiring perseverance and determination. But believe that, with the existing foundation, with the burning desire, and with the belief that is being nurtured every day, Dai Dong will write a new story - the story of a land that is constantly rising to integrate, develop and spread the pride of Nghe An.

Thanh Phuc