Concrete Roads Bring Convenience to Binh Dinh’s Ethnic Minority Communities
In early May 2024, a 1.7-km-long and 3-meter-wide concrete road, stretching from the Vinh Tho Communal House to Nuoc Tan Dam in Vinh Hiep Commune, Vinh Thanh District, Binh Dinh Province, was completed. The project, costing VND 2.5 billion, was funded by the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas. The people of Vinh Tho village, Vinh Hiep Commune, are delighted to have this new road, which makes it easier for them to access their agricultural lands.
For Le Thi Minh Tam’s family, who owns 10 sao of land near Nuoc Tan Dam in Vinh Tho village, the new concrete road is a welcome change. Previously, the area was only accessible via a dirt road, which became muddy and difficult to traverse during the rainy season. Now, Mrs. Tam is thrilled that the concrete road reaches her farm, making her commute much more convenient.
The concrete road in Vinh Phuc village, Vinh Hiep Commune, Vinh Thanh mountainous district, Binh Dinh Province.
“Thanks to this new road, travel has become so much easier, and motorbikes can now reach our farms. We don’t have to worry about landslides or mud during the rainy season,” Mrs. Tam shared. “With the convenience of this road, I can even drive to my farm and orchard at night. Now that we have a concrete road, people are more conscious about maintaining it and preventing large vehicles from causing damage. We only allow small vehicles and tractors to enter the farms to transport grass and other produce.”
Huynh Thi Nhieu, another resident of Vinh Tho village, expressed her gratitude for the new road, stating that it has opened up opportunities for local farmers to tend to their farms and has improved access to emergency medical services during illnesses. According to Mrs. Nhieu, “In the past, funerals in the village were a struggle due to the poor road conditions. Now, with the new road, we also have a new cemetery. During the rainy season, hiring a vehicle was challenging. But now, with this road, both farming and transportation of produce have become much easier. The local authorities have also planned to expand the residential area, starting from the beginning of this road.”
The concrete road leading to the production area, funded by the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas.
In Vinh Hiep Commune, a nearly kilometer-long concrete road has also been completed, thanks to funding from the National Target Program for the 2021-2030 period, amounting to nearly VND 3 billion. This road traverses hilly terrain and provides access to the production areas and long-standing forests of dozens of households. When the plan for this road was announced, 20 households in Vinh Phuc village willingly donated their land to widen the road.
Nguyen Duy Nhat, a commune official in charge of land and agriculture in Vinh Hiep Commune, shared that the local government will continue to implement similar projects, with the principle of the state investing in road construction and the people contributing their land. According to Mr. Nhat, “In the past, transportation in the area was challenging, and farmers mostly grew cashew trees. The lack of mechanized transportation made farming difficult and less efficient. With the construction of the concrete road, some households have decided to keep their cashew trees and are now able to transport fertilizer to their farms. Previously neglected, these cashew gardens are now thriving as farmers can easily bring fertilizer and water to their trees.”
Investing in roads that lead directly to production areas.
In 2024, the mountainous district of Vinh Thanh received an allocation of more than VND 24 billion for essential infrastructure development, serving production and improving the lives of ethnic minority communities. So far, the district has disbursed over VND 7.1 billion, exceeding 29% of the plan. This year, the district prioritized the construction of four rural transport infrastructure projects, providing convenient access to production areas for local residents.
Le Minh Thong, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Vinh Thanh District, Binh Dinh Province, shared: “Through the implementation of 10 projects under the program, including four projects on infrastructure development such as concrete roads and intra-field canals, we have facilitated the transportation of goods and communication between villages and localities. This has significantly improved the lives of our residents.”
A newly completed concrete road in Vinh Hiep Commune, Binh Dinh Province.
He added, “To ensure that the policies benefit the people, the People’s Committee of Vinh Thanh District established a steering committee and working groups with specific tasks. These groups conducted inspections and provided guidance to the localities, organized propaganda and mobilization campaigns, and assisted in project development and listing.”
A residential area in Vinh Hiep Commune, Vinh Thanh mountainous district, Binh Dinh Province.
The rural landscape in the ethnic minority areas of Binh Dinh Province is undergoing a positive transformation. The National Target Programs have played a crucial role in improving the material and spiritual lives of the ethnic minority communities.
