A land rich in cultural identity at the foot of Yen Tu

At the foot of Yen Tu are the residential areas of Thuong Yen Cong commune (Uong Bi city), where 9 ethnic groups live together, of which nearly 60% are ethnic minorities. With its unique cultural values, this land has been changing dramatically, enlivening a sacred mountain range…

Dao Thanh Y women in Thuong Yen Cong commune have a traditional craft of hand embroidery.

The land at the foot of Yen Tu in the past is unknown when people lived. But according to legend, more than 700 years ago, after the palace maids followed the retired Emperor Tran Nhan Tong to Yen Tu but could not stop his determination to practice, many people stayed in the land at the foot of the sacred mountain to make a living. Therefore, this land is famous for having many beautiful, capable, and skillful women...

The old story is not known how much truth there is, but according to records, Thuong Yen Cong commune today was established on October 28, 1947, with a plain area interspersed mainly with hills and mountains. Located peacefully at the foot of Yen Tu mountain range, the road to Thuong Yen Cong in the past was relatively difficult, making many people afraid because of its ruggedness and wilderness. People's lives were also difficult when the majority of people mainly worked in agriculture and forestry, in which many people lived by exploiting the natural forests of Yen Tu.

However, in recent years, Thuong Yen Cong has changed significantly. With the strong development of spiritual cultural tourism at the Yen Tu relic - scenic area in the area, people now mainly develop the economy in the direction of services - tourism along with trade - agriculture and forestry. Agriculture - forestry also develops in a new direction, the commune is interested in directing the planning of concentrated production areas, actively changing the structure, bringing high-yield plants and animals into production to increase production value, improve income for farmers.

The community tourism model exploiting the cultural values of the Dao Thanh Y people in Thuong Yen Cong commune will come into operation from the beginning of 2024.

In addition, many people choose to work as workers at Nam Mau Coal Company, Vang Danh and industrial parks in the surrounding area, such as Viship Hai Phong, Dong Mai - Quang Yen, Sao Vang Leather Shoes Uong Bi... The average income per capita of the commune by the end of 2023 will reach 74.8 million VND/person/year. By 2020, the commune will no longer have poor households according to the central criteria, by the end of 2023, the commune will have only 11 near-poor households according to the provincial criteria, accounting for 0.72%. In 2015, the commune met the new rural standards, in 2020 it reached the advanced new rural commune target and in the following year 2021, the commune completed the targets and criteria and was recognized as a commune meeting the model new rural standards.

In the process of building new rural areas, Thuong Yen Cong is highly appreciated for its criteria of infrastructure completion and people's income. This has continued to be promoted in recent years. According to statistics, in 5 years (2019-2024), a total of 41 projects have been invested in the commune with a total investment of over 107 billion VND, of which socialized capital is over 57 billion VND. In the process of building new rural areas, people have donated over 13,000m2 ^of land, dismantled 4,275 meters of fences, architectural objects, cut down trees and crops... to construct projects in the area.

Khe Song - Thac Bac scenic spot is being profiled to propose recognition as a local tourist destination.

A special feature of Thuong Yen Cong is that it has a large number of ethnic minorities, including 9 ethnic groups (Kinh, Dao, Tay, Hoa, Muong, San Diu, San Chay, Nung, Thai), mainly Dao ethnic group. Accordingly, the number of ethnic minority households in the commune is 840/1,502 households, accounting for 55%, ethnic minorities account for 57.8% of the total population of the commune. In recent years, the locality has proactively and effectively implemented programs, projects and plans under the ethnic minority area policy, contributing to meeting the needs and tasks of socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security in the area.

In particular, recently, the commune has been gradually building service models and community tourism associated with preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic minorities in the area. Accordingly, the locality has built and put into operation the Dao Thanh Y ethnic cultural exhibition space at the Khe Su 2 village cultural house, with an investment of over 800 million VND; put into operation the community tourism model in Khe Su 2 village, attracting hundreds of visitors to visit and experience on weekends. Maintain well the activities of the Dao Thanh Y Cultural, Arts and Sports Club . Continue to complete the dossier to propose the province to recognize the Khe Song - Thac Bac tourist site; plan to establish a local tour guide club to connect visitors to the Yen Tu relic - scenic area and to community tourism activities in the locality...

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