The road from Huoi Cheo village to Pa Hop village has been paved with concrete.

Chieng Lao commune was established by merging the former communes of Nam Gion, Hua Trai, and Chieng Lao. Before the merger, the communes averaged 9 to 10 out of 19 criteria for building new rural areas. After the merger, due to the large geographical area, dispersed population, and people's livelihoods mainly based on agricultural production, a review and reassessment showed that the number of criteria met decreased, with many criteria remaining low, concentrated in the areas of income, production organization, and environment.

Mr. Vu Minh Thai, Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune, said: Identifying the construction of new rural areas as both a key task and an opportunity to promote socio-economic development, the commune focuses on developing forest economy, lake economy, and transforming the production structure to suit the actual conditions. At the same time, it effectively mobilizes and integrates investment resources to complete essential infrastructure, strengthens propaganda, and promotes the leading role of the people to gradually improve the quality of new rural area criteria.

Over the past five years, with support from the State and contributions from the people, the communes have built 31 roads, totaling over 19 km in length, with a total investment of over 36 billion VND, of which the people contributed more than 3 billion VND. To date, 29 out of 39 villages have asphalt or concrete roads leading to their centers, creating favorable conditions for travel, transportation of goods, and access to essential services.

The cage fish farming model of the people in Chiềng Lao commune.

In Huoi Ngan village, Chieng Lao commune, there are 62 households with 268 inhabitants, mainly Khang and La Ha ethnic minorities, whose lives are still fraught with difficulties. Thanks to funding from the National Target Program for New Rural Development, internal village roads and alleyways have been paved with concrete, facilitating transportation and the sale of agricultural products for the villagers. Mr. Quang Van Pua, Party Secretary and Village Head, said: To date, 1.1 km of internal village roads and alleyways have been hardened, reaching 40% of the total length; people are now confident in developing production, gradually increasing their income and improving their living standards.

Focusing on achieving income targets to lay the groundwork for other criteria, Chiềng Lao commune prioritizes shifting its agricultural production structure towards commercialization; maintaining and expanding the area of ​​fruit trees, hawthorn, corn, and cassava; and developing livestock farming in a concentrated, bio-secure manner. The total number of buffalo and cattle exceeds 12,500; the pig population is over 15,000; and the poultry population is more than 145,000. Taking advantage of the hydroelectric reservoir, residents have invested in raising 400 fish cages, yielding over 730 tons annually. To date, the commune has developed a safe agricultural and aquatic product supply chain; and has one OCOP (One Commune One Product) product that has been evaluated and ranked. Beekeeping is encouraged in highland villages, with over 100 households participating, producing nearly 10 tons of honey annually, contributing to diversifying livelihoods for the people.

The cattle farming model of the people of Huoi Ngan village, Chieng Lao commune.

The family of Ms. Quàng Thị Nghiên, from Pá Hợp village, is a model household in economic development, with an integrated farming and livestock model. Every year, the family cultivates over 2 hectares of corn and cassava, and over 2,000 square meters of rice; they also raise 15 buffaloes, cows, and pigs for commercial purposes. Ms. Nghiên shared: "Convenient roads make trading agricultural products and livestock easier, preventing price manipulation. The family can confidently invest in production, earning over 100 million VND per year, leading to a more stable life."

Thanks to synchronized solutions, the poverty rate has now decreased to below 13.5%; 99% of the population has access to clean drinking water; 100% of households have access to safe electricity; and 6 schools have met national standards. Administrative reform and digital transformation are being actively implemented, gradually improving the effectiveness and efficiency of management and services for the people. Ms. Lo Thi Ban Bun, Secretary of the Party Committee of Chieng Lao commune, said: In the coming time, Chieng Lao will focus on maintaining and improving the criteria already achieved; focusing on completing the criteria that have not yet been met, especially the criteria for income, environment and production organization; promoting the development of forest economy, lake economy, and building a chain of distinctive products linked to the consumer market. The goal is to have 3 villages in the commune meet the new rural standards by 2030.

With the strong political determination of the Party committee and the government, along with the unity of the people, Chiềng Lao commune is gradually fulfilling the criteria and targets according to the plan, aiming towards the goal of building a sustainable new rural area and improving the quality of life for the people.

Minh Ngoc