In May 2023, Lao Dong Newspaper published an article reflecting "Many towns in the border area are cold and deserted after the merger". Accordingly, at this time after 6 districts of Cao Bang province were merged, some administrative centers fell into a state of disrepair when a series of offices were abandoned and desolate.
Hoa Thuan town, before 2020, was the center of Phuc Hoa district, once a bustling place thanks to its location on the main road to Ta Lung international border gate.
However, after the two districts of Phuc Hoa and Quang Uyen merged into Quang Hoa district, a series of headquarters here were abandoned, facilities were seriously degraded, and many walls collapsed.
All blocks of houses are covered with moss and are cold because there are no users.
Up to now, the appearance here has changed. After July 1, 2025, Hoa Thuan quarter will become the administrative center of the new Phuc Hoa commune. Phuc Hoa commune was formed on the basis of merging My Hung, Dai Son communes and 2 towns of Ta Lung and Hoa Thuan.
The new commune has an area of 122.7 km2, population of 14,339 people. After the historic moment - the two-level government apparatus came into operation, Hoa Thuan neighborhood with the previously deserted headquarters has now been heated up.
The block of houses of the People's Committee and District Party Committee - People's block was previously abandoned, and now it has become the working place of the Party Committee and People's Committee of Phuc Hoa commune. Returning here in the last days of August 2025, the reporter clearly felt the change of the border land.
Ms. Hoang Thi Nga (local resident) - shared: "We often happily say that after the merger of Phuc Hoa, Thong Nong, and Tra Linh, the names that have long been associated with the people have now returned".
According to Ms. Nga, administrative procedures are now more convenient, if previously many procedures had to be moved quite far to the old Quang Uyen town, now they will be done right near home, very convenient.
The land in the center of the administrative area that was previously abandoned has now been built into a spacious square, paved with bricks and planted with trees. Every afternoon, this place becomes a place for many locals to play.
At the 1st Phuc Hoa Commune Party Congress, term 2025 - 2030, the Commune Party Committee set a goal in the next 5 years of striving to admit 30 or more Party members/year; budget revenue reaches and exceeds the provincial plan by 10% or more.
The value of crops reached 80 million VND/ha, reducing the poverty rate to below 2%. The people's happiness index reached 90 points or more; the administrative reform and digital transformation index was in the group of 10 leading communes and wards in Cao Bang province.
These local goals are completely reasonable when this border commune has Ta Lung border gate - one of the places that exchanges goods with China is very bustling.
In addition, the road connecting Ta Lung border gate with Dong Dang - Tra Linh expressway will soon be invested in construction. After completion, this connecting route is expected to be a boost for Phuc Hoa's economic development.
