Rafting
Lao Dong Newspaper received feedback from people in Mon hamlet, Bac Phong commune, Cao Phong district about the suspension bridge over Vang stream being dismantled since the beginning of June 2024 to build a new bridge.
However, a long time has passed and the local people still see no sign of construction of the new bridge. Therefore, the travel, daily activities and trade of more than 100 households and students face many difficulties. They even have to use homemade rafts to cross the stream.
On September 9, reporters were present at the bank of Vang stream (connecting from Mon hamlet to Dai hamlet in Bac Phong commune). According to the records, the scene was "disastrous" after the flood and there was no appearance of machinery or labor related to the bridge construction.
According to observations, many people in Mon hamlet are carrying and repairing homemade rafts to create the shortest "path" to help them cross the stream.
Mr. Bui Van Luc, head of Mon hamlet, said that the new bridge has not been built yet but the old bridge has been dismantled for many months, making the people extremely upset.
According to Mr. Luc, Mon hamlet has about 110 households with 460 people, the end point of Bac Phong commune is about 2.5km from the commune center and must go through the Vang stream suspension bridge. When the bridge is no longer there, to get to the other side of the stream, it is necessary to take a much longer detour, up to more than 15km.
In addition, Mon hamlet has about 96 students (not including high school students) who have to “cross the stream” to get to school. Meanwhile, Muon hamlet is only about 300 meters from Bac Phong Primary School and about 2.5 km from the Secondary School.
"As a last resort, many people have called out and made rafts out of bamboo and reed to go faster. The disadvantages outweigh the benefits, as it is currently flood season and the stream water is very high and flowing rapidly. Traveling by raft poses a high risk of being unsafe," Mr. Luc shared.
According to the head of Mon hamlet, people want a temporary bridge to travel, stabilize their lives, and ensure students can go to school.
What do the authorities say?
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Khuong Xuan Lich - Chairman of Bac Phong Commune People's Committee, said: "According to the design, the new bridge across Vang stream is located on the old bridge foundation, so it must be dismantled. The locality has met with the people of Mon hamlet and proposed some temporary solutions."
This leader informed that before the new school year, the district's Department of Education worked with the authorities of Bac Phong and Tay Phong communes to develop a plan to send students from Mon hamlet to study at schools of the same level in Tay Phong commune. However, the people of Mon hamlet have not yet agreed with this plan.
"By Wednesday (September 11) this week, the district will hold a working session with the investor, the construction unit and the commune People's Committee to find the most optimal solution" - Mr. Lich shared.
Regarding this issue, the Project Management Board of Agricultural and Rural Development Works of Hoa Binh informed that the bridge over Suoi Vang stream is part of the project of the inter-commune road from Thung hamlet, Suoi Hoa commune, Tan Lac district to Dai hamlet, Bac Phong commune, Cao Phong district (the whole project has a total investment of 80 billion VND).
According to the design documents, when constructing this bridge, there will be no temporary bridge across the stream to reduce construction costs. Due to heavy rain and floods, the bridge construction process has not been carried out. The Inter-commune Road project is expected to be completed on December 31, 2025.
