Visited the district twice and was awarded the title of Hero.

DTO - After 50 years of liberation, Cao Lanh district (Dong Thap province) has transformed from a purely agricultural district into a locality with a developed economy, its appearance has changed, and the quality of life of its people has improved. Cao Lanh district has been awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces and Hero of Labor in the renovation period; achieved a new rural district in 2021 and is completing the documents and procedures to be recognized as an advanced new rural district.

Cai Nho River Bridge helps Binh Thanh island commune (Cao Lanh district) eliminate the situation of river barriers separating ferries, promoting socio-economic development.

Hard times

According to the History of the Revolutionary Tradition of Cao Lanh District, through the struggles for national liberation, Cao Lanh land is proud to be the cradle of revolutionary tradition, the convergence place of the patriotic movement against the French, the campaigns of the Dong Du and Duy Tan movements. In particular, this place has the Revolutionary Youth Association and the first An Nam Communist Party cell of Sa Dec province (now Dong Thap). During the resistance war against the US to save the country, with its terrain and revolutionary tradition of the people, Cao Lanh was the base of Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee (Xeo Quit base), Security Zone 8 base (My Long commune), Saigon - Gia Dinh City Youth Union base (Binh Thanh commune)...

During the resistance war against the French colonialists and the American imperialists, the people of Cao Lanh district under the leadership of the district Party Committee achieved glorious victories, contributing with the whole country to the great victory in the spring of 1975 to liberate the South and unify the country. With a long history in the resistance war against the French colonialists and the American imperialists, the Party Committee, government, people and armed forces of Cao Lanh district were honored to receive the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces on January 20, 1995.

Cao Lanh district has 9/18 communes, towns and 5 individuals awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces. Mr. Le Tuan Kiet in Binh Thanh commune, Cao Lanh district said that Binh Thanh is an island commune, located between Cai Nho river and Tien river. During the war, the commune was chosen as the base of many units, including the Saigon - Gia Dinh Youth Union. Enemy posts and outposts were densely located in the commune. However, with the protection and care of the people, the revolutionary forces were still able to operate in enemy territory. Binh Thanh commune is one of the localities in Dong Thap that was early awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces in 1976.

After two extremely arduous resistance wars, with many sacrifices and losses, on April 30, 1975, the Party Committee and the people of Cao Lanh district achieved complete victory. From here, along with the whole country, Cao Lanh district moved to a new revolutionary stage: Building socialism and firmly defending the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam. Along with the advantages, Cao Lanh district encountered countless difficulties, especially in the period of 1975 - 1985. Many localities were devastated by war, the majority of people had to evacuate and leave their old homes, entering enemy-controlled areas, leaving their fields and gardens abandoned. After the liberation day, over 15,000 people returned to their hometowns and about 6,600 overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia returned home with "empty hands".

Every year, from May to November is the rainy season, water from the upper Mekong River flows back, causing floods, seriously affecting the lives and production of the people. Many areas of land are abandoned due to war destruction and are heavily contaminated with alum. Most farmers grow floating rice (1 crop/year), low productivity. Most rural areas of the district do not have electricity; the road traffic system is not yet developed, travel is very difficult, transportation is mainly by waterway. People's lives are still deprived, the intellectual level is low, most people are illiterate, especially in remote areas. People's health care conditions are still poor, most communes in rural areas do not have a medical station.

Along with growing fruit trees, some farmers in Cao Lanh district are keen on growing ornamental plants.

Today is spring time

According to the Standing Committee of Cao Lanh District Party Committee, promoting the heroic tradition, over the past 50 years, cadres, party members, soldiers and people in the district have focused on overcoming the consequences of war, restoring and developing the socio-economy; overcoming difficulties and challenges, Cao Lanh people are industrious, creative in labor, production, determined, and make efforts, gradually developing Cao Lanh district. In 2020, Cao Lanh district was honored to receive the title of Labor Hero in the renovation period from the President.

Coming to Cao Lanh today, many people cannot help but be surprised by the "change of skin, change of flesh" of this heroic land. The Party Committee, government and people of Cao Lanh district have made a miracle on the front of fighting poverty and backwardness, transforming from a purely agricultural district into a locality with a diversified economic structure, flourishing with the appearance of an advanced new rural district. The economic - social infrastructure system has been invested synchronously. The material and spiritual life of the people has been increasingly improved, the average income per capita has increased many times compared to 2010.

Born and raised in Cao Lanh district, Mr. Le Minh Khanh clearly sees the transformation of his hometown. Mr. Khanh shared that since the liberation until now, especially when implementing the construction of new rural areas and then advanced new rural areas, the appearance of his hometown has improved a lot. Determining that for socio-economic development, transportation must go one step ahead, he actively contributed and donated more than 1,700 square meters of land to build roads. The narrow dirt road in front of his house has now been replaced by a 3.5 meter wide road and in the near future, this road will be upgraded and expanded to 5.5 meters. The makeshift houses of the past have also given way to the solid, spacious houses of today.

Vice Chairman of Cao Lanh District People's Committee Huynh Thanh Son affirmed that the construction of new rural areas and advanced new rural areas has brought about many positive changes, is an important driving force to promote economic - cultural - social development, bringing a new look to Cao Lanh countryside today. In 2011, the district began implementing the National Target Program on new rural construction. Promoting the achievements, with high determination, Cao Lanh district continues to rely on the people's strength and quickly becomes a bright spot, chosen as a pilot district for new rural construction in the province. By 2021, Cao Lanh district will meet new rural standards.

Rural traffic routes in Cao Lanh district combine planting trees as fences to create beauty.

The district implements the Project on restructuring the agricultural sector towards reorganizing production in line with the advantages and orientation of local agricultural economic development; building large-scale specialized rice and fruit tree production areas associated with restructuring crops according to planning, planting key and potential crops. The district has nearly 200 cooperatives and cooperative groups operating effectively, focusing on linking production and consumption of agricultural products. In particular, there are 86 OCOP products meeting 3-4 star standards, 100% of which have been put on e-commerce platforms.

According to Mr. Huynh Thanh Son, Cao Lanh district has a poverty rate that has decreased from 12.87% in 2011 to 1.75% in 2024. The rate of people participating in health insurance is 96.62%; nearly 86% of households have standard housing; over 95% of households use clean water. Each commune has a model road; the landscape is green, clean, and beautiful; political security and social order and safety are stable. With the efforts of the entire political system, people and businesses, Cao Lanh district has 17/17 communes recognized as new rural communes; 10/17 communes have achieved advanced new rural status. The locality maintains the criteria for new rural districts and completes the supporting documents to request competent authorities to recognize it as advanced new rural districts.

Nhat An

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/xa-hoi/ve-tham-huyen-2-lan-duoc-phong-tang-danh-hieu-anh-hung-130168.aspx