Anh Son Commune, breaking through to develop

Strategic location and convergence advantages

Standing from the road leading to Cao Veu Border Gate, one can easily see that Anh Son commune is not just a border commune. It is a space containing trade and regional connections, where the plains embrace hills and forests, where small rivers flow into a heart that surrounds a bustling town. The merger between Phuc Son, Duc Son and Kim Nhan town has created an administrative unit with an area of ​​nearly 200 km², with a population of about 29,500 people, helping Anh Son commune to have the stature of a region.

The biggest advantage of Anh Son commune is its location, a perfect combination when Phuc Son commune (old) is a land rich in revolutionary tradition, awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces, famous for its studiousness and steadfastness in resistance wars. Duc Son preserves many historical and cultural relics, while Kim Nhan used to be a bustling commercial center. The combination of the three regions has created a society with all the conditions for development. When these three factors are put together, Anh Son commune has the potential to become the nucleus connecting the economic corridor in the West of the province, a gateway for businesses, farmers and tourists to meet.

The diverse terrain provides fertile land for diversified agriculture and forest resources, but also requires strong investment in rural transport, irrigation and environmental protection. Climate change, natural disasters and livestock diseases have challenged the production ecosystem here; therefore, natural advantages must go hand in hand with organizational, management and scientific and technical capacity to turn potential into sustainable wealth.

Term mark

During the 2020-2025 period, Anh Son commune has experienced great challenges: African swine fever, unusual natural disasters, and especially the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic. However, in the midst of hardship, the vitality of a central region has been affirmed with proud achievements.

The economy maintained a stable growth rate, averaging 6.3%/year. Average income per capita reached 47.2 million VND/year, an increase of more than 15 million VND compared to the beginning of the term. The poverty rate decreased to 3.8%, lower than the average of the whole district. The total value of agricultural, forestry and fishery production reached more than 1,200 billion VND, of which many products have become strengths: green tea, pressed sugarcane, planted forest wood. Infrastructure was strongly invested with more than 320 large and small projects. 85 km of roads were hardened, many concrete bridges connecting remote villages with the center. The national electricity grid covered 100% of villages and hamlets, 95% of households used clean water. The irrigation system was solidified, ensuring irrigation for nearly 3,000 hectares of rice and crops.

Education has made its mark with 10/11 schools meeting national standards, the rate of junior high school graduates going on to high school is 98%. Primary healthcare has been upgraded, 100% of health stations have met national standards, and the rate of universal health insurance coverage is over 95%. Social security programs have helped thousands of households receive livelihood support, leaving no one behind.

There has also been progress in the cultural and social fields. Traditional festivals have been restored, historical relics such as Mother Temple, Trung Communal House, and Thien Ton Pagoda have been renovated, creating spiritual and tourist destinations. Cultural and sports activities have spread, connecting the community and arousing pride in the homeland.

Security and defense are maintained. The commune has organized more than 50 border patrols, closely coordinating with functional forces on both sides. The model of "drug-free border commune" has been deployed, contributing to maintaining peace in villages and hamlets. The friendly relationship between the people of Vietnam and Laos has been maintained, and exchange and twinning activities have contributed to strengthening cross-border solidarity.

However, there are still limitations: the processing industry has not developed commensurate with its potential; some projects are behind schedule; tourism services are only in the initial stages. These limitations are both a warning and a motivation for Anh Son commune to adjust its direction in the coming period.

3 major directions for Anh Son to make a breakthrough

If the last term was a preparation period, then the 2025-2030 term must be a breakthrough to turn Anh Son commune into a real regional center, a place where resources converge, goods circulate and services develop associated with local values. To do that, the commune leaders have identified strategic focuses: Strengthening the capacity of the apparatus, completing essential infrastructure, improving the quality of human resources and developing key economic sectors according to the value chain.

First, on management and people: Building a team of "close to the people" cadres is key. It is not only about streamlining the apparatus after administrative reorganization, but also about improving leadership capacity, administrative discipline and service attitude. When cadres are solid in expertise and proficient in digital operations, the ability to implement digital transformation programs, land management and investment attraction will be significantly improved. This creates a catalyst for resources from the province, businesses and the community to truly flow to Anh Son commune.

In the economy, the focus is on developing value-added agriculture and processing industry associated with available raw materials. Expanding specialized areas, promoting the construction of on-site processing facilities, connecting with provincial and international markets through secondary border gates are feasible directions. Accordingly, the commune will focus on expanding specialized agricultural areas applying high technology, building brands for key products, striving to increase the average production value to over 120 million VND/ha/year.

The agro-forestry processing industry is encouraged to increase the value of the chain. Trade and services are promoted with the advantage of border gates, central markets and the potential for eco-tourism and spirituality. At the same time, developing eco-tourism and spirituality around Ban Veu, the Vietnam-Laos Martyrs Cemetery and relics will create more highlights, prolong the stay of tourists, thereby spreading benefits to local services.

At the same time, Anh Son commune needs to complete the commune road network, standardize domestic water sources, upgrade the waste treatment system and develop digital infrastructure to promote digital government and online public services. When the infrastructure is synchronized, investment attraction will increase, while reducing costs for businesses and farmers. Anh Son commune has the advantage of planted forests and fertile land; preserving the landscape, restoring ditches, planting green trees along roads, and controlling mineral exploitation are conditions for sustainable development. In particular, promoting agricultural models that apply technology, minimizing the use of chemicals, and strengthening green value chains will increase product value and expand the market.

Finally, to become a convergence center, Anh Son commune must focus on building a mechanism to stimulate regional linkages: creating a bridge between businesses, cooperatives, scientists and banks. The establishment of specialized farmer clubs, a system of concentrated consumption channels and trade promotion events will help transform local products into competitive brands. At the same time, the commune will promote digital transformation, build e-government, provide online public services, and create convenience for people and businesses.

From a border land rich in tradition, Anh Son commune is gradually shaping itself as a new convergence center of Western Nghe An. The achievements of the past period, together with clear aspirations and goals in the coming term, are the basis for believing that this land will rise strongly, becoming a real regional center - where all resources converge, spread and develop. A border commune is not only strong in security and defense, but also vibrant in economy, rich in cultural identity, civilized in lifestyle, and affectionate in the community.