This grassroots initiative has significantly contributed to the socio-economic development of the region, transforming the landscape and accelerating the progress of new-style rural area building program in the district.

Whether it’s giving up land for roads, community centers, or public infrastructure, locals see their contributions as a meaningful way to bring progress to their homeland. Thùng Văn Hôm, a Party member from Nà Hỳ 2 village (Nà Hỳ commune), voluntarily donated nearly 400 square meters of land to build a rural road.

“As farmers, we consider every piece of land precious- it’s our livelihood”, shared Hôm. “But we still support the call to donate land for road construction because we understand the long-term benefits of the new-style rural area building program. Seeing the wide, well-paved roads in our village today fills us with pride. It’s rewarding to know that we’ve helped build a better future for our community”.

For Sùng A Cua, a farmer from Mạy Hốc village (Phìn Hồ commune), following in Uncle Hồ’s footsteps means doing practical, meaningful things for the greater good. Cua and his family voluntarily donated 500 square meters of land for the construction of a community cultural center.

“Every time we gather for Tet celebrations or join in sports and cultural events organized by the commune, I feel proud”, he said. “It’s a great joy to know that our contribution helped bring these communal activities to life”. In addition to donating land, Cua has become a key community advocate, encouraging others to contribute land and labor to projects that benefit the entire village.

Despite facing high poverty rates and daily hardships, Nậm Chua commune has emerged as a local leader in the land donation movement. To date, residents have donated nearly 20,000 square meters of land for road building and essential infrastructure. Standout examples include: the community of Huổi Cơ Mông village (37 households) donating 17,250 square meters for concrete roads; Nậm Ngà 2 village contributing 552 square meters for a community house; and Nậm Chua 5 village offering 609 square meters for the same purpose.

Explaining the approach to community engagement, Thào A Khai, Chairman of the Nậm Chua commune People’s Committee, acknowledged the challenges involved: “Giving up land or valuable property is never an easy decision. Every square meter represents years of hard work and savings. That’s why we established a dedicated task force to lead outreach efforts, including local Fatherland Front chapters and mass organizations. We held community meetings, offered clear and transparent messaging, and encouraged officials and Party members to lead by example. Over time, this persistent, grassroots approach gained trust and inspired hundreds of households to voluntarily dismantle fences, clear vegetation, and contribute land”.

Recognizing that effective communication is the “crucial link” in mobilizing community participation, the Nậm Pồ district’s Party Committee and authorities have prioritized outreach efforts. Especially in cases where funding for land clearance is unavailable or severely limited, they’ve focused on close, consistent engagement with the people,  listening to their concerns and building consensus through transparency and respect. This has led to widespread contributions of land, crops, structures, and labor toward building rural infrastructure.

Driven by a spirit of collective responsibility where even “golden land” is given up for the greater good, many individuals and communities across Nậm Pồ have stepped forward. Between 2021 and 2024, the district mobilized over 59,000 square meters of donated land and thousands of volunteer labor days to support the new-style rural area building program.

More than a decade since the launch of the national target program on building new-style rural areas, Nậm Pồ has seen remarkable progress thanks to the united efforts of its people. By the end of 2024, the district had one commune officially recognized as meeting new-style rural area building standards; Chà Cang commune had reached 17 out of 19 criteria, and Nà Hỳ commune had met 16. On average, communes in the district fulfilled 11.33 new-style rural area building criteria. Additionally, two villages achieved “model new-style rural area” status, and 30 others were certified as new-style rural villages.

Notably, once-remote and underdeveloped areas have undergone visible transformation. Infrastructure investment has improved quality of life, while political stability and public order have been maintained. Poverty rates are declining, and both material and spiritual well-being are on the rise, narrowing the gap between urban and rural, highland, and remote communities.

Through countless inspiring stories of individuals contributing ideas, land, and labor, the -style rural development movement in Nậm Pồ stands as a testament to the enduring power of national unity. These acts embody the timeless wisdom of beloved President Hồ Chí Minh: “Even the easiest task fails without the people’s support; but with their determination, the hardest challenge can be overcome.”