Tam Dong Commune and the journey to become a model new rural area

Vland of convergence of potential and challenges

Tam Dong is located in the west of Thanh Chuong district, formed on the basis of merging 3 communes Thanh Lien, Thanh My and Thanh Tien, with a natural area of ​​53.38 km² and a population of more than 26 thousand people. Favorable geographical location, with National Highway 46C passing through connecting with Ho Chi Minh road and trading with the centers of neighboring communes, creating conditions for exchange and socio-economic development. Agricultural land fund is quite abundant, suitable for developing concentrated commodity production areas, converting crops and livestock towards high-tech agriculture.

There are two large garment companies in the area, creating jobs for nearly 2,000 workers inside and outside the commune, along with a young, abundant labor force that is quick to absorb science and technology. Essential infrastructure systems such as schools, medical stations, electricity, roads, and irrigation systems have been gradually invested and upgraded, contributing to improving the quality of life of the people. The cultural and spiritual life of the people is increasingly improved, the movement of solidarity and joining hands to build a new model rural area is strongly promoted.

The foundation for Tam Dong is its rich tradition: studiousness, revolution, diligence, dynamism, and creativity. These values ​​have been and are valuable assets for the people to join hands in building their homeland. However, this land also bears many difficulties. The economy mainly relies on agriculture, the production value is not high, and there is a lack of breakthrough service industries. Although the infrastructure has been improved, it is still not synchronized, many degraded works need large investment capital to overcome.

Site clearance and mobilization of social resources for basic construction are still limited. The capacity of some cadres and civil servants is uneven; the quality of human resources is not high. Climate change, natural disasters, and diseases on crops and livestock, especially African swine fever, still pose potential risks. Market prices fluctuate, directly affecting production and people's lives.

However, it is in the midst of difficulties that Tam Dong's will becomes stronger. The strength of unity and the tradition of "where there's a will, there's a way" has helped Tam Dong take steady steps, turning challenges into motivation for development.

Strong moves

The past term marked a period of vibrant and comprehensive development in many fields. The growth rate of production value reached 8.5%/year. Average income per capita reached 69.3 million VND/year, a sharp increase compared to the beginning of the term. The economic structure has shifted in the right direction: agriculture - forestry - fishery accounted for 34.52%, industry - construction 35.84% and services 29.64%.

In agriculture, Tam Dong maintains stable rice and corn production, while boldly developing diverse economic models: raising deer for velvet, mud-free eels, civets, fish in cages, growing shallots, squash, pumpkins, etc. These models not only bring economic efficiency but also affirm the local brand. In particular, the whole commune currently has 640 hectares of pulpwood forests, which are well cared for and protected, contributing to keeping the green color and creating stable income.

The new rural development program is considered a “revolution” of Tam Dong. In 5 years, the commune has mobilized more than 259.5 billion VND to build 58 km of concrete roads and 8.7 km of asphalt roads. The people, children living far from home and businesses contributed nearly 49 billion VND. As a result, all three old communes were recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as meeting advanced new rural standards, in 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively – a rare feat.

Industry and handicrafts have developed with 137 production facilities, attracting more than 250 workers. In particular, the two garment factories Matsuoka and Fomostar provide jobs for 1,330 workers, contributing to retaining local human resources. OCOP products such as Thanh My grapefruit, Dai Can honey, Thanh Lien shallots, etc. have gradually affirmed their brands, with 5 products meeting 3-4 star standards, both increasing income and preserving local specialties.

The cultural and social fields have also made great strides. 100% of 5-year-old children attend kindergarten, 100% of children enter grade 1; all 10 schools meet national standards, of which 2 schools meet level 2 standards. Health care is focused on, 3/3 health stations meet national standards. The poverty rate has decreased to 1.61%, and the material and spiritual life of the people has been constantly improved.

In the field of national defense and security, Tam Dong maintained stability, preventing hot spots from arising. The annual military recruitment work always met and exceeded the target. The movement of the entire people to protect the security of the Fatherland developed widely, creating a solid "shield" for the peace of the countryside.

In particular, the work of building the Party and the political system has had many innovations. During the term, the Party Committee admitted 173 new Party members, awarded more than 460 Party badges, and established police and military Party cells. The "Skilled Mass Mobilization" movements associated with new rural construction have spread widely. Since then, the political system has become increasingly stronger and its leadership capacity has been enhanced.

Targeting new model rural areas

Entering the 2025-2030 term, Tam Dong not only aims for stability, but also sets a higher goal: Becoming a model new rural commune, developing rapidly and sustainably in all aspects. This is a legitimate aspiration, and at the same time a great challenge requiring the consensus and efforts of the entire political system and the people.

According to the Resolution of the 1st Commune Party Congress, Tam Dong set a target of 11-12% annual growth in production value. The economic structure continues to shift strongly towards gradually reducing the proportion of agriculture (27-28%), increasing industry - construction (38-38.5%) and services (34-34.5%). By 2030, the total budget revenue in the area will reach 25-30 billion VND, more than double the period of 2021-2025 (17.5 billion VND). The total output of grain crops will remain at 10,000-11,000 tons, the product value per hectare of cultivated land will reach 100-120 million VND.

In addition, the commune determined to strive to complete and maintain 19/19 criteria for a new model rural area: 100% of commune roads are paved; 98% of the population participates in health insurance; 98% of households use clean water; 93% of household waste is properly treated; the poverty rate decreases by an average of 0.15 - 0.2% annually. Regarding society, the rate of trained workers reaches over 60%; the rate of children under 1 year old who are fully vaccinated reaches 96%; the rate of sports families reaches 36%.

To realize these goals, Tam Dong focuses on three strategic breakthroughs: promoting administrative reform associated with digital transformation and building e-government; completing planning and synchronously investing in infrastructure, especially traffic infrastructure and industrial clusters; developing concentrated commodity production areas associated with key products such as tea, oranges, grapefruits, and raw material forests, while promoting clean agriculture, organic agriculture, and high-tech application.

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The goal of Tam Dong becoming a model new rural commune is not only in the resolution, but will be concretized through annual programs and plans. We clearly identify three key points: economic development associated with digital technology application, improving the quality of education - health - culture, and building a clean and strong political system. All are aimed at improving people's lives, so that each person is truly the subject of development."

Comrade Tuong Dang Phu - Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Tam Dong commune

Accordingly, Tam Dong will continue to encourage large-scale commodity production models, closely linking farmers - enterprises - cooperatives to build a sustainable value chain. At the same time, the commune focuses on attracting investment in industrial clusters, creating jobs for thousands of local workers, reducing the pressure of labor migration. The development of services - trade, especially OCOP products, will also be a strategic direction to build the Tam Dong brand in the market.

Not only focusing on the economy, Tam Dong also aims for comprehensive cultural and social development. Cultural and sports facilities are upgraded; schools and classrooms are invested in modernly, ensuring 100% of schools meet national standards; the movement "All people unite to build a cultural life" is maintained and spread. The "Bright - Green - Clean - Beautiful" environmental landscape becomes an important criterion, because the model new rural area is not only measured by income, but also by quality of life and living space.

Tam Dong's greatest belief is the strength of solidarity. The unanimity of cadres, party members and people has been, is and will continue to be the driving force for the commune to overcome difficulties and turn aspirations into reality. Tam Dong today is different from the past, with straight concrete roads, spacious schools and medical stations, green specialized fields and new economic models that bring stable income to the people. However, the road ahead still has much to do. To become a model new rural commune, Tam Dong needs to continue to arouse the spirit of solidarity, creativity, daring to think and dare to do; it needs the joint efforts of the entire political system, the consensus of the people and the companionship and support from superiors.

That aspiration is not just the numbers in the resolution, but the legitimate wish for a completely changed countryside, so that people can live in prosperity and happiness in a clean and civilized environment. I believe that, with what has been achieved, Tam Dong will continue to write new pages, becoming a bright spot in the picture of Nghe An's new countryside...

Thanh Phuc