Tam Dong Commune and its journey towards becoming a model new rural area.

VA land where potential and challenges converge.

Tam Dong is located in the western part of Thanh Chuong district, formed by the merger of three communes: Thanh Lien, Thanh My, and Thanh Tien. It has a natural area of ​​53.38 km² and a population of over 26,000 people. Its favorable geographical location, with National Highway 46C running through it, connects to the Ho Chi Minh Highway and facilitates trade with neighboring communes, creating conditions for socio-economic development and exchange. The abundant agricultural land is suitable for developing concentrated commodity production areas and transforming crop and livestock production towards high-tech agriculture.

The area has two large garment factories, providing jobs for nearly 2,000 workers from within and outside the commune, along with a young, abundant workforce that is quick to adopt scientific and technical advancements. Essential infrastructure such as schools, health stations, electricity, roads, and irrigation systems are being gradually invested in and upgraded, contributing to improving the quality of life for the people. The cultural and spiritual life of the people is increasingly improving, and the movement of solidarity and joint efforts to build a model new rural area is strongly promoted.

Tam Dong's strength lies in its rich traditions: studiousness, revolutionary spirit, diligence, dynamism, and creativity. These values ​​have been and continue to be valuable assets for the people to work together to build their homeland. However, this land also bears many difficulties. The economy is mainly based on agriculture, with low production value and a lack of breakthrough service industries. Infrastructure, although improved, is still lacking in uniformity, and many structures are dilapidated and require significant investment for repair.

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

However, it is precisely in times of difficulty that Tam Dong's resolve grows stronger. The power of unity and the tradition of "where there's a will, there's a way" has helped Tam Dong take steady steps, transforming challenges into driving forces for development.

dramatic transformations

The past term marked a period of vibrant and comprehensive development in many fields. The growth rate of production value reached 8.5% per year. Per capita income reached 69.3 million VND per year, a significant increase compared to the beginning of the term. The economic structure shifted in the right direction: agriculture, forestry, and fisheries accounted for 34.52%, industry and 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 antlers, mudless eels, civets, cage fish farming, growing shallots, gourds, and green squash… These models not only bring economic efficiency but also affirm the local brand. In particular, the entire commune currently has 640 hectares of paper pulp forest, which is well cared for and protected, contributing to maintaining greenery and creating stable income.

The New Rural Development Program is considered a "revolution" for Tam Dong. Over five years, the commune mobilized more than 259.5 billion VND to renovate 58 km of concrete roads and 8.7 km of asphalt roads. The people, their children living away from home, and businesses contributed nearly 49 billion VND. As a result, all three former communes were recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as achieving advanced new rural development standards in 2022, 2023, and 2024 respectively – a rare achievement.

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

The socio-cultural sector has also made significant progress. 100% of 5-year-old children attend kindergarten, and 100% of children enter first grade; all 10 schools meet national standards, with 2 schools achieving level 2 standards. Healthcare is prioritized, with all 3 health stations meeting national standards. The poverty rate has decreased to 1.61%, and the material and spiritual lives of the people are constantly improving.

In the field of defense and security, Tam Dong maintains stability and prevents the emergence of hotspots. Annual recruitment targets are consistently met or exceeded. The nationwide movement to protect national security is widespread, creating a solid "shield" for the peace and tranquility of the rural area.

In particular, the work of Party building and strengthening the political system has seen many innovations. During the term, the Party Committee admitted 173 new Party members, awarded more than 460 Party badges, and established Party branches for the police and military. The "Effective Mass Mobilization" movements, linked to the construction of new rural areas, have spread widely. As a result, the political system has become increasingly strong, and leadership capacity has been enhanced.

Aiming for a model new rural area.

Entering the 2025-2030 term, Tam Dong not only aims for stability but also sets a higher goal: to become 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 concerted efforts of the entire political system and the people.

According to the Resolution of the First Party Congress of Tam Dong Commune, the commune aims for a production value growth rate of 11-12% per year. The economic structure will continue to shift strongly towards gradually reducing the proportion of agriculture (27-28%), increasing industry and construction (38-38.5%), and services (34-34.5%). By 2030, total budget revenue in the commune is expected to reach 25-30 billion VND, more than double the 2021-2025 period (17.5 billion VND). Total grain production will be maintained at 10,000-11,000 tons, with the value of products per hectare of cultivated land reaching 100-120 million VND.

In addition, the commune aims to complete and maintain all 19 criteria for a model new 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 processed according to regulations; the poverty rate decreases by an average of 0.15-0.2% annually. Regarding social aspects, the rate of trained labor reaches over 60%; the rate of children under 1 year old receiving full immunization reaches 96%; and the rate of families participating in sports reaches 36%.

To realize these goals, Tam Dong focuses on three strategic breakthroughs: promoting administrative reform associated with digital transformation and building an e-government; completing planning and investing in synchronized infrastructure, especially transportation infrastructure and industrial clusters; and developing concentrated commodity production areas associated with key products such as tea, oranges, pomelos, and forest raw materials, while promoting clean agriculture, organic agriculture, and the application of high technology.

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The goal of Tam Dong becoming a model new rural commune is not just a resolution, but will be concretized through annual programs and plans. We have clearly identified three key priorities: economic development linked to the application of digital technology, improving the quality of education, healthcare, and culture, and building a clean and strong political system. All of these aim to improve the lives of the people, so that each citizen 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, businesses, and cooperatives to build a sustainable value chain. At the same time, the commune will focus on attracting investment into industrial clusters, creating jobs for thousands of local workers and reducing the pressure of labor migration. Developing services and trade, especially OCOP products, will also be a strategic direction to build the Tam Dong brand in the market.

Tam Dong not only focuses on economic development but also aims for comprehensive development in culture and society. Cultural and sports facilities are upgraded; schools and classrooms are modernized, ensuring 100% of schools meet national standards; the "All People Unite to Build a Culturally Rich Life" movement is maintained and spread. A "Bright - Green - Clean - Beautiful" environmental landscape has become an important criterion, because a 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 power of unity. The solidarity of officials, Party members, and the 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, modern school buildings and health stations, lush green specialized fields, and new economic models that bring stable income to the people. However, there is still much work to be done. To become a model new rural commune, Tam Dong needs to continue to foster the spirit of unity, creativity, and boldness; it needs the joint efforts of the entire political system, the consensus of the people, and the support and assistance from higher levels.

That aspiration is not just about the numbers in the resolution, but a legitimate desire for a comprehensively transformed rural area, where people can live prosperous and happy lives in a clean and civilized environment. We believe that, with what has already been achieved, Tam Dong will continue to write new chapters, becoming a shining example in the new rural landscape of Nghe An…