Van Du Commune - Where the power of unity writes the path of innovation.

Historical imprint

Today, Van Du commune has a new look, having been established through the merger of three communes: Thinh Thanh, Tay Thanh, and Minh Thanh. With an area of ​​84.3 km² and a population of 25,549, the locality enjoys a favorable location, easily connecting to the centers of neighboring districts via National Highway 7C and Provincial Highway 538.

Van Du carries within it a tradition of unwavering revolutionary spirit forged through generations, becoming a source of pride for its people. During the resistance wars against the French and the Americans, the people of Van Du made immense contributions in terms of manpower and resources; many sons and daughters of this land put aside their studies to answer the call of the nation and went to the battlefield. Van Du was not only a strong rear base but also a fierce frontline, serving as a military base, a hiding place for revolutionary cadres, and a supply point for food. After the wars, Van Du has 750 martyrs and wounded soldiers, and 16 heroic Vietnamese mothers.

That tradition is also preserved through historical and cultural relics in the area. Prominent among them is the Tô Bá Ngọc church in Hamlet 6. This is a place of worship and commemoration for him and two leaders of the Cần Vương movement, Nguyễn Xuân Ôn and Phan Đình Phùng. The site is associated with many important events in the history of the resistance against the French in the late 19th century.

Tô Bá Ngọc (real name Tô Sỹ Trác, born in 1838) was from Đông Yên village, Vân Tụ commune, now Vân Du commune. He was renowned for his kindness and compassion, always willing to help those in need. When the Cần Vương movement broke out, responding to Nguyễn Xuân Ôn's call, he not only contributed money and food but also mobilized many others to support the cause, earning the title of "Military Supply Manager" for the rebel army.

In February of the year Dinh Hoi (1887), Phan Dinh Phung, on his way to the North to unite the anti-French movements, stopped at Mr. To Ba Ngoc's house. The banner that Phan Dinh Phung dedicated to Mr. To Ba Ngoc is still preserved at the To family's ancestral temple, along with many ancient artifacts such as stone incense pillars, altars, dragon thrones, ancestral tablets, incense burners, and some documents written in Chinese characters.

On June 13, 2013, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued Decision No. 2452/QD-UBND, classifying the To Ba Ngoc church as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic. This is not only a recognition of the merits and contributions of martyr To Ba Ngoc and his descendants to their homeland and country, but also a source of pride for the people of Van Tu in their current lives.

The Vân Du area currently boasts many valuable historical and cultural relics. Besides the Tô Bá Ngọc Church, there is also the Đậu Trọng Family Church (Hamlet 12), which is classified as a provincial-level historical site. Notably, the Láng Market banyan tree has been recognized as a heritage tree. In addition, the commune has 8 other inventoried relics, including the Động Xoi Temple, which is currently undergoing restoration.

Along with its tangible relics, Van Du also preserves many intangible cultural values ​​such as ceremonial drums, full moon rituals, clan rituals, and ancestral worship... All of these have created a rich spiritual life, reflecting the historical depth and identity of this land.

Besides its revolutionary traditions, Van Du is also a land rich in cultural and religious identity. The commune currently has two parishes (Dong Ken and Hau Thanh) and five sub-parishes: Trung Thanh, Hau Thanh, Nguyet Lang, Yen Thinh, and Hau Trach, with 866 households and 4,306 inhabitants, accounting for approximately 17.2% of the commune's total population. The close ties and solidarity between Catholics and non-Catholics have long been a distinctive cultural feature, contributing to building a strong and lasting unity within the community.

Steadfast development fueled by the strength of unity.

Over the past five years, Van Du commune has faced numerous difficulties, but under the close leadership of the commune's Party Committee and the unity of the political system and the people, the locality has overcome challenges and achieved comprehensive results.

Agriculture in Van Du has made significant progress with effective farming models, bringing high incomes to hundreds of households. Livestock farming remains stable with large herds of cattle and poultry, while aquaculture from the surrounding waters yields considerable production. Forestry also plays an important role, with a forest cover rate of nearly 47%, a large portion of which is FSC certified, contributing to environmental protection and enhancing the value of agricultural products.

The industrial and construction sectors experienced a breakthrough with a production value of 549,944 million VND, a 2.34-fold increase compared to 2020. Over 1,000 workers participated in small-scale industries such as mechanics and wood processing, earning an average income of 65-70 million VND per person per year. Nearly 500 billion VND was invested in infrastructure, including transportation, schools, and martyrs' memorials, along with 98.3 km of concrete roads built through community contributions. Commercial services flourished in markets such as Ong, Lang, and Thinh, with a value reaching 264,943 million VND, a 1.48-fold increase.

Administrative reform in Van Du has been implemented comprehensively and effectively, with over 99% of applications received and processed online. This result not only shortens processing times and reduces administrative procedures but also enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of management, contributing to creating a favorable and transparent environment for citizens and businesses in the current period.

The socio-cultural landscape of Vân Du has seen significant progress. Education has developed steadily with 11 schools and nearly 4,800 students, ensuring 100% primary and preschool education. Community life has also improved, with over 86% of families achieving the "cultural family" title. Healthcare coverage is extensive, with insurance rates reaching nearly 95%, helping to reduce child malnutrition to 10%.

The local poverty rate has decreased to 1.6%, and many disadvantaged families have received support for building new homes or repairing existing ones. The workforce has received proper training, and over 1,600 people have gone abroad for work, contributing to increased family incomes.

These achievements are vivid proof of the strength of unity and solidarity of the Party Committee, government, and people of Van Du. This also forms a solid foundation for the locality to continue to make breakthroughs and successfully achieve the goals set for the new term.

Entering its new term, the Party Committee of Van Du commune has set strategic goals for the 2025-2030 term, focusing on leveraging internal resources and taking advantage of external support for sustainable socio-economic development. Building on the achievements of the previous term, Van Du aims to build a clean Party Committee, a streamlined political system, with people and businesses at the center, and strive to achieve advanced new rural standards by 2030.

In addition, the locality is focusing on shifting its economic structure towards sustainability. This aims to create a breakthrough in comprehensive agricultural development, introducing high-quality rice cultivation, applying scientific and technological advancements, and utilizing high technology in rice and other crops.

The focus is on achieving an average annual growth rate of 10-11% in gross domestic product (GDP). The economic structure is clearly oriented towards a shift: agriculture, forestry, and fisheries will decrease to 38-40%, industry and construction will increase to 30-32%, and services will reach 30-31%. The target for average per capita income is 95-100 million VND per year.

The commune also aims to develop 2-3 products that meet OCOP standards of 3 stars or higher and establish 1-2 new cooperatives. State budget revenue is expected to reach 130-135 billion VND, and the rate of hardened roads at the commune level will reach 98-100%.

In terms of socio-cultural aspects, Van Du aims to control the population growth rate to below 0.9-1.0%, achieve a health insurance coverage rate of 96-97%, and a voluntary social insurance coverage rate of 35-36%. Education strives for 100% of schools to meet national standards level 1, with at least two schools reaching level 2. Social infrastructure is improved, with 85-90% of commune-level roads having street lighting, 90-95% of households having standard housing, and 100% of the rural population using hygienic water, with 90-95% meeting clean water standards.

The environment is a major priority, with the rate of solid waste collection and treatment reaching 92-95%. National defense and security are strengthened, ensuring a safe and secure base, readiness for combat, and maintaining political and social stability annually. Party building aims for over 95% of grassroots party organizations to successfully complete their tasks, with no units failing to meet their targets, and the recruitment of new party members exceeding 3% per year.

To realize its goals, Van Du focuses on three breakthroughs: administrative reform linked to digital transformation, building a dedicated and professional workforce, and improving inter-regional transportation infrastructure to attract investment in key projects. In addition, it prioritizes economic restructuring, focusing on high-tech agriculture, developing supply and consumption chains, and promoting official labor export.

With a spirit of unity and a desire to progress, Van Du is gradually realizing its goal of becoming a model new rural commune, contributing to the development of its homeland.