Following administrative consolidation and streamlining of the local government apparatus, local Party committees and authorities have begun to outline directions for socio-economic development aligned with the commune’s local strengths.

Tủa Thàng commune was formed by merging the former communes of Huổi Só and Tủa Thàng. This merger brought not only changes in area and population but also various impacts on residents’ lives, administrative management, and future development strategies to stabilize livelihoods.

Previously, livelihood development in the former Tủa Thàng commune relied mainly on farming and livestock. The total area of wet rice and upland rice cultivation across the commune was only about 140 hectares. Despite the relatively large land area, much of it consists of steep mountainous terrain, making cultivation difficult. Nearly half of the commune’s villages lacked any rice-growing land. On the hillsides, traditional low-yield crops like maize, cassava, and beans were commonly grown.

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on restructuring crop patterns. Some high-yield and economically viable crops, such as fruit trees, sesame, and amomum, have been piloted and expanded to diversify and stabilize local livelihoods.

Lý Thị Chẹo from Huổi Só 1 village, Tủa Thàng commune, shared: “My family mainly grows maize and cassava and raises livestock. This year, the commune encouraged us to convert low-yield cassava plots into sesame fields. This is our first year trying sesame, and it’s growing very well, we expect to harvest it in about two months.”

In addition to restructuring crop and livestock production, the Sơn La hydropower reservoir runs alongside the villages of Tủa Thàng commune, providing favorable conditions to develop cage fish farming and aquatic harvesting. Thanks to various programs and projects supporting breeding stock, feed, and aquaculture techniques, the commune now has nearly 100 households operating more than 200 fish cages, raising species like grass carp, hemibagrus, and common carp. In just the first five months of the year, aquaculture production exceeded 50 tons, while fishing reached over 30 tons, offering a promising new direction and stable income for local residents.

Nguyễn Bá Đức, Vice Chairman of the Tủa Thàng commune People’s Committee, noted: “Immediately after the merger, the local Party committee and government focused on restructuring crops, expanding pilot projects with new crop varieties, and promoting aquaculture and fishing on the reservoir to diversify livelihoods. At the same time, we are planning to exploit and develop the commune’s inherent strengths in waterway transport, homestay services, and eco-tourism.”

Tủa Thàng commune has several wharves, such as Huổi Lóng and Huổi Trẳng, and water routes that connect with neighboring provinces like Lai Châu and Sơn La. The commune is home to ethnic minority villages of the Dao and Thái peoples. Being located on the hydropower reservoir presents a major opportunity to develop tourism and attract visitors from near and far to explore the natural beauty, people, and unique local culture.

Alongside the initial challenges of operating the two-tier local government system come new opportunities for synchronized and attentive regional development. With clear direction and active involvement from local Party committees, authorities, and residents, the goal of unlocking potential and building a stable and sustainable economy for Tủa Thàng is well within reach.