In late November, when thin fog was still covering Sa Pa (Lao Cai), the sound of concrete mixers rang out from many small alleys. People in Phan Si Pang 1 group said to each other: "This time, the road to the Cultural House will definitely be concreted". The wish that has been longing for me for many years has also come true.
The "100 days - nights" campaign to upgrade nearly 50 alley routes was implemented by Sa Pa ward right after the direction of Lao Cai Provincial Party Secretary Trinh Viet Hung during his working trip at the end of October.
The request of the provincial head is very clear: Enhance urban areas, upgrade transport infrastructure, and create strong changes in the appearance of tourist urban areas.
According to Chairman of Sa Pa Ward People's Committee To Ngoc Lien, many inner-city roads have been overloaded in recent years. The narrow, muddy road every time it rains makes it difficult for people to travel, while tourists hesitate to step into dark and slippery alleys.
A young tourist once shared: "Sa Pa is beautiful, but going into some small alleys during the rainy season is really scary. If the road was cleaner and more beautiful, the experience would be much better.
That small story makes people want the locality to soon renovate the infrastructure.
Of the nearly 50 selected upgraded routes, many sections were completed in the first days of the campaign. The Song Da - Hoang Lien route (Ham Rong 3 group) and the Suoi Ho 1 route to the Cultural House have poured concrete for more than 200m, opening a spacious and clean path.
Mr. Giang Viet Hung, a resident of Phan Si Pang 1 group, Sa Pa ward, voluntarily donated nearly 70 m2 of land - a not-so-small area in the center of Sa Pa, where land prices are always high.
"Doning land to open a road is also a donation to the future of my children and grandchildren. If the road is wide, the entire residential area will benefit, Mr. Hung expressed.
In Ham Rong 3 group, not only donated land, many households also directly participated in the construction. Mr. Giang A Pho recalled the day of pouring concrete: "From early morning, dozens of people came to support leveling, transporting rocks, and concrete lagoons.
I made my own path, I felt happy and proud. Everyone is also more connected".
Speaking with Lao Dong, Sa Pa Ward Party Secretary Phan Dang Toan said that the campaign relied heavily on socialized resources with a total cost of about 10 billion VND, constructing more than 20 km of road.
"People's consensus is a key factor. Only with the contribution and support of the community and ward can the roads be expanded and upgraded as they are today, said Mr. Toan.
Up to now, materials and human resources have been prepared to continue construction of 9 new routes this weekend and next week. The construction teams are also rushing to complete the foundation, ensuring the progress and quality of the project.
New concrete routes are gradually emerging in the midst of the misty mountain town, signaling the strong transformation of Sa Pa on the journey to become a green - smart - sustainable tourism city.
There, the most important mark does not only come from the right machinery or policy, but also from the hands and hearts of the people of Sa Pa - those who are together renewing their homeland.
