According to the Lao Cai Provincial Electronic Information Portal (TTĐT), half a century has passed since the spring of 1976, when 128 households with 736 people left Ha Nam Ninh to the land of Da Chay - now Dong Phuc village, Tran Yen commune (Lao Cai). That journey is not only a migration but also the process of opening up a new land, where people started again almost from scratch.
In the early days, Dong Phuc was a wild mountain and forest, trails along streams, dense mosquitoes, and at night there was only the sound of wild animals. No electricity, no roads, no schools, no stations, houses were just bamboo and rattan huts. In hardship, the will and spirit of solidarity helped people stay.
From the beginning, the Party Cell with 11 party members was established, playing the role of a leadership nucleus, orienting ideology, and consolidating trust. At times, ideology fluctuated, many households left, and the population decreased sharply, to only a few dozen households. However, the Party cell's steadfastness helped stabilize life and gradually build a base.
People quickly built temporary houses, formed production teams, reclaimed land, planted rice, and planted crops. The turning point came in the late 1980s, when the locality reoriented production, choosing tea trees as the main force, combined with service development. From self-sufficient production, people switched to commodity production, gradually stabilizing their lives.
Along with economic development, infrastructure is invested. From the dirt road in 1978, to now, transportation has been almost completely concreted. National grid electricity has been available since 2000, serving 100% of households. Schools, cultural houses and welfare projects are being built, changing the face of rural areas.
Housing has also changed significantly. From temporary houses, now 100% of households have semi-permanent houses, many families build spacious houses. Production and living facilities are increasingly modern, and life is improved.
After 50 years, Dong Phuc has developed to 135 households with more than 500 people. Average income reaches nearly 80 million VND/person/year, many households reach over 90 million VND. The proportion of well-off and rich households accounts for over 80%, there are no longer poor households.
The Party cell was consolidated from 11 to 23 party members, continuing to play the role of a center of solidarity, leading socio-economic development, ensuring security and order, and building a cultural life. 100% of children go to school, many students study at colleges and universities. Traditional cultural values are preserved, and the community is united and affectionate.
Looking back at the 50-year journey, Dong Phuc has not only developed economically but is also a testament to human will. From a pristine land, with solidarity and determination, generations have built this place into a livable countryside.
Entering a new stage, with the existing foundation and the leadership of the Party Cell, Dong Phuc continues to aim for the goal of rich, beautiful, civilized, and sustainable development.
