Local high quality tree nurseries provide on-site forest planting resources

Difficulties have gone away

In 2000, following my relatives, I had the opportunity to go to Phong My by bus through many potholes from Provincial Road 11B. The feeling of novelty mixed with curiosity about Phong My - a place name of the old war zone - where the source of the O Lau River meets the Tam Giang Lagoon. At the intersection there is a stele of evidence of the Hoa My war zone going up to Tan My village, Khe Tran village and Ha Long village are just dirt roads, the houses on both sides are simple and makeshift. Phong My at that time had many difficulties, especially bridges, roads and traffic. However, what remained in my mind were the names of the land, villages, streams, waterfalls and the proud names of the first war zone in Hue.

After 2010, I returned to Phong My with my colleagues. This time, Phong My's appearance was brighter, especially the central area. Houses, schools, roads, and electricity gradually eliminated the poverty and deserted scene. Difficulties in Phong My were gradually resolved, when local people no longer depended on natural forests, but began to stabilize their lives with the model of planting forests and rubber trees. Goods and services from urban areas and neighboring provinces were available, and trade in Phong My was also more convenient.

I remember at that time, Mr. Nguyen Khac Tho was the Chairman of Phong My Commune People's Committee. He was a stout, leisurely man, and often smiled. When we met, Mr. Tho "boasted" that the people in Phong My, especially Khe Tran and Ha Long villages, had gradually reduced their poor households, and many families had become better off thanks to planting forests and rubber trees. According to Mr. Tho, the thinking of Phong My leaders now is that the former Hoa My war zone, if it wants to develop further, needs many sources of cooperation and support. Provincial leaders (now the city) have come to work many times to suggest and orient Phong My to become a strong center for agricultural and forestry development because of its potential resources and land. With the policy that the leaders suggested, Phong My grasped, mobilized, propagated, and encouraged people to continue exploiting the strengths of the barren hilly lands, expanding the economic production model of hill gardens, forest gardens, etc. to create jobs and stable income for the people.

Towards a class V urban area

Coming to Phong My this early spring, we were surprised by the changes. The road to Tan My village, Khe Tran village, Ha Long has taken on an urban appearance. Most of the roads connecting to the alleys have been concreted, with houses on both sides decorated with beautiful flags and flowers. The roads connecting to eco-tourism sites are also being invested in and expanded.

From the introduction of Mr. Nguyen Huu Chung, Chairman of Phong My Commune People's Committee, we visited the family of Mr. Nguyen Van Muoc, Khe Tran village - a typical example of overcoming poverty to become well-off in this rural area. The impression of Mr. Muoc's family is the house built with a spacious tiled roof located in the middle of a garden of pomelos and green-skinned grapefruits full of fruit. Along with the home garden model, Mr. Muoc has an additional acacia forest, large timber forest and nearly 10 hectares of rubber trees that are ready to be exploited. Of these, there are more than 3 hectares of rubber trees that Mr. Muoc's family exploits to sell latex for 1-2 million VND/day in the dry season. Mr. Muoc is now a well-off household in the area, and has bought a car to travel and do business.

Mr. Muoc said that he has the property he has today thanks to the government's attention to ethnic minorities in reclaiming land, providing guidance on livestock raising techniques, gardening, and afforestation. According to him, living in a revolutionary countryside is also a factor that fosters the spirit of overcoming difficulties and poverty, worthy of being a citizen of a heroic war zone.

In Phong My now, typical examples like Mr. Muoc are not rare; for example, Mr. Dang Van Nong (Tan My village); Mr. Le Van Ha (Ha Long village); Mr. Nguyen Phi Lanh (Luu Hien Hoa village)... specializing in business, forestry production, animal husbandry, gardening with annual revenue of 2-3 billion VND...

Chairman of Phong My Commune People's Committee, Mr. Nguyen Huu Chung said that now no one calls Phong My a "remote area" because the appearance is more spacious; people's lives are more comfortable. The number of poor and near-poor households was a concern of the government in previous years, but now it is only 1.33% (falling into the case of the elderly and single); the average income per capita is more than 45 million VND/year.

In addition to developing the forest and rubber economy, Phong My also focuses on developing the service sector, eco-tourism of streams and waterfalls such as Khe Me, A Don, the upper O Lau River (Ham Heo); the sites of the old war zone. At the same time, focusing on building an advanced new rural commune, aiming to become a type V urban area in the west of Phong Dien town.

A new life is emerging, becoming more and more beautiful in this revolutionary countryside.

Article and photos: Song Minh