Growth potential in low-lying areas
(Baonghean.vn)Every year, the rainy season brings breaking news about Hung Trung, an oasis submerged in floodwaters. One might think that after this flood season, this "flood epicenter" would only be left to worry about the next; yet, we were surprised by the bustling atmosphere of seasonal business and trade among the people who are accustomed to living with the floods here.
Since 2004, when Hung Trung commune received attention for the construction of a spacious two-story commune headquarters, considered a "highlight" infrastructure project – it has been almost 7 years since our last visit. Now, besides the main road under construction, Hung Trung has a different appearance with the emergence of schools, markets, and multi-story residential buildings, clearly showing its progress. This time, the commune is preparing to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the death of reformer Nguyen Truong To – an outstanding son of Bui Chu – Hung Trung. According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune, Hung Trung, in addition to its confidence stemming from a spirit of unity in overcoming difficulties, has in recent years seen its officials and people take pride in their outstanding ancestors, following his example to encourage younger generations to strive for dynamism and new ways of doing business.
Stone cutting for paving - a new profession in Hung Trung.
Hung Trung commune now has 15 hamlets with over 9,370 inhabitants. Of these, over 6,500 are Catholic, and there are 4 hamlets with exclusively Catholic residents. Despite unfavorable natural conditions and its remote location from the district center, the people of Hung Trung, regardless of their religious affiliation, maintain the simple, honest character of their poor homeland and work together to develop their commune. Compared to the beginning of the previous term, Hung Trung's economy has grown 2.5 times, with an average per capita income of 11.5 million VND/year, an increase of 6.5 million VND compared to 2005. The low-lying, flood-prone areas are one thing, but gardens and houses are often completely submerged after heavy rains.
Yet, Hung Trung commune continues to develop its orchard economy as usual. Currently, the total area of perennial crops in the commune reaches 125 hectares. Besides lemon trees, the commune has gradually restored the area of Xa Doai specialty oranges and developed other types of fruit trees. After each flood, the people replant to replace the fruit trees that were submerged and died. Competing with the floodwaters, gaining experience, the people gradually gained the initiative, diligently investing in technology and effort, and the productivity and output from the orchard economy increased significantly. In the first six months of 2011 alone, the value of the commune's orchard economy reached over 7.7 billion VND.
The commune's livestock farming movement has been comprehensively promoted, and the estimated value of livestock production in the first six months, reaching 12.875 billion VND, is a significant figure... The fruit, livestock, and aquaculture products of Hung Trung are on the rise, and the anticipation of a better transportation system to facilitate trade with the outside world gives us confidence in the inherent strength of this purely agricultural commune to overcome its "flood-prone" circumstances.
The newly built Cau Market, located in the center of the commune, has been in operation for only four months and is already bustling with buying and selling. The allocation of stalls and business operations has been completed, and many households have invested in opening grocery stores, creating a vibrant market atmosphere. The commune's budget has increased thanks to revenue from the Cau Market, and according to the Vice Chairman of the commune, Nguyen Thanh Hai, the market will soon establish itself as a commercial service center, creating effective employment opportunities for the people of this poor commune.
A model farm combining aquaculture and poultry farming in Hung Trung.
In Hung Trung, 2,600 people of working age are currently employed in other provinces within Vietnam, and 15 are working abroad (mainly in Malaysia and South Korea), sending home an estimated 15.5 billion VND annually. This money is used for building houses, investing in businesses for those at home, and fundamentally changing the face of the new rural area in recent years. Hung Trung has also completed the first phase of the survey on the current state of new rural construction for the period 2010-2015; and is coordinating with the District Land Clearance Board to complete land clearance for the Cau Market - Nghi Cong road project and the Nguyen Van Troi road from Hung Yen to Van Hong intersection.
Following the 2.1 km paved road named Nguyen Truong To, invested in by the district for Hung Trung, we arrived at the land of the ancient Bui Chu village, the birthplace of the outstanding figure Nguyen Truong To. The old scenery and features from his time are no longer abundant. Bui Chu village now comprises two hamlets, 1 and 2, both predominantly Catholic. However, the bustling sounds of rice mills, mechanical service businesses, and stone quarrying and paving along this road clearly show a vibrant atmosphere of business and industry expansion. In fact, Hung Trung's income in the first six months of 2011 reached over 16 billion VND, a figure unimaginable five years ago for this flood-prone commune...
The tomb of Nguyen Truong To is located at the end of Hamlet 1, right next to the paved road named after him. Resting peacefully in his homeland, his aspirations for reform and his lifelong dedication to the country and its people are undoubtedly passed down to future generations in Hung Trung. The head of Hamlet 1, Catholic Nguyen Hong Thai, a descendant of Bui Chu village, still retains the spirit of a soldier of Uncle Ho's army despite having been discharged 28 years ago (since 1983). He cheerfully shared: "Hamlet 1 has 254 households and 1,056 Catholic residents. Striving to live 'a good life and a beautiful faith,' the people of the hamlet compete in labor and production, becoming one of the most dynamically developing hamlets in Hung Trung commune. The hamlet's Party branch has thoroughly conveyed to the people the importance of studying and following the moral example of President Ho Chi Minh. Fulfilling their duties as religious people, the villagers are also aware that Catholics live fully as human beings in society to elevate society. Proud to be the birthplace of Nguyen Truong To, the hamlet regularly holds meetings to remind the children and grandchildren of his example of studiousness, patriotism, and dedication to the people."
Physical education class at Nguyen Truong To High School (Hung Nguyen)
Despite being a predominantly Catholic hamlet, in the 2010-2011 school year, Hamlet 1 had 5 students admitted to university and 6 to college. It can be said that Hamlet 1 in Hung Trung has the largest number of households and population in the commune, yet it retains the simple, hardworking nature of a rural village striving for progress in the modern era. The hamlet boasts many successful household economic models, such as Mr. Nguyen Trung Hau with his comprehensive service business model, who has now built the largest house in the commune, owns a kiosk at Cau Market, and a large gas station in the commune...
Take, for example, village head Nguyen Hong Thai. His story of running his business, with a corner of his house filled with certificates and awards from various levels of government recognizing his responsibility and dynamism, is truly fascinating. After his military service, he was entrusted with the position of production team leader when he was only 26 years old.
His only concern at the beginning was to strive for success in his business to set an example for his neighbors. Balancing village and household affairs, he and his wife gradually built up their lives. In 1997, he borrowed money from the bank to buy two soil-plowing machines to plow his own fields and for his neighbors. Thanks to this, the fields in Hamlet 1 were able to withstand the floods and yield a bountiful summer-autumn harvest, leading to a steady increase in food supplies. Seeing the benefits, the hamlet now has five such machines. With stable rice and grain, the people of Hamlet 1 developed their traditional occupation: pig farming. Mr. Thai's family also borrowed money through community organizations to raise pigs, and he conveniently bought a rice milling machine, which he still uses today. In 2007, he bought a truck for his son. Later, his son switched professions, working in stone quarrying and paving, and is now building a large house right next to his parents' house. The stone quarrying business is also thriving. Livestock farming in Hamlet 1 has developed, and the entire hamlet now has six slaughterhouses providing a decent income...
Following the noisy inter-communal road filled with construction vehicles, we arrived at Nguyen Truong To High School in Hung Trung commune. It turned out that the new principal, Nguyen Xuan Phan, was an acquaintance. He had only taken office a few weeks prior. He informed us that Nguyen Truong To High School in Hung Trung currently has nearly half of its students—384—who are children of Catholic families. Besides continuously improving the quality of teaching and learning, despite the many difficulties posed by its location in a unique area, the school has promoted comprehensive activities.
These activities included organizing competitions for students to learn about the life and career of the late General Secretary Le Hong Phong and the life and career of the patriotic reformer Nguyen Truong To at the school and district levels, winning many high awards. The school also took care of Nguyen Truong To's tomb, planting 25 ornamental trees and 2 large pine trees in the 2010-2011 school year; in addition, they planted trees at the martyrs' memorial in the commune, took care of a family receiving preferential treatment, and gave gifts to several other families receiving preferential treatment. These deeply humane activities have strongly impacted the students' awareness, helping them to train and study to become useful members of society and the country...
The difficulties are clear; the main thing is to clearly define the direction for the future. The Party Committee and the government of Hung Trung commune are focusing on directing efforts to ensure agricultural production; promoting the development of small-scale handicraft industries, expanding commercial and service activities, and accelerating infrastructure construction; developing cultural villages and cultural families; and maintaining political security and social order...
Leaving Hung Trung as dusk was falling, the commune office staff member told the journalist that the road to Vinh was just that same difficult road! Yes, but that road is receiving attention and will soon be expanded and upgraded, so Hung Trung will no longer be isolated after days of heavy rain and flooding. More importantly, the path to development has opened up thanks to the determination of the officials and people of Hung Trung to rise above their circumstances, befitting the homeland of the outstanding reformer and renowned figure Nguyen Truong To.
Dinh Sam
