Đinh Văn Hoàn, from Việt Thanh 4 hamlet, Thanh Nưa commune, is not only known as a pioneer in effective agricultural transformation, but is also deeply respected by locals for his sense of responsibility and dedication to community work. As the hamlet’s Party cell secretary, he is a man of few words but many actions, always concerned with the welfare of the community and the development of his hometown. As a result, in recent years, the lives of local residents have improved remarkably. This transformation reflects a shift in mindset, from passive to proactive.

Đinh Văn Hoàn shared: “In the past, most of the land in Việt Thanh 4 was used for single-crop rice farming, with low yields and water depending on natural sources. Once the Party cell reached a consensus to switch crops, I and a few other Party members took the lead. Then we launched awareness campaigns, provided technical support, and helped connect to markets. The key was helping people see that growing vegetables wasn’t difficult, and brought a more stable income than rice.”

His family now cultivates more than 1,000 square meters of celery, generating steady income with each harvest. Dozens of households in the hamlet have followed his example. Today, 53 out of 65 households grow celery, covering several hectares. Many families have risen from hardship and now have savings, can afford to send their children to school, and invest in expanding production.

“Our people no longer think only of rice and chickens like before. Everyone wants to do better, to grow bigger. And to do that, they need someone to lead the way, to guide them sincerely, to earn their trust…” said Hoàn.

Not stopping at crop conversion, Hoàn noticed that some low-lying, inefficient land could be better used for aquaculture. He worked with the Party cell to mobilize residents to dig ponds and raise fish. He personally attended aquaculture training and passed the knowledge on to others. Watching his fish grow every day, Hoàn proudly said: “Seeing that our fish farming brought initial success, many families wanted to learn. But they lacked capital. So I and the Party cell encouraged them to seek funding from various sources. For households with limited labor, we called on neighbors to contribute workdays. Thanks to this, Việt Thanh 4 now has nearly 7 hectares of fish ponds, with more than 15 households engaged in aquaculture.”

Though aging, the passion for community work has never faded in Lường Văn Dọn, an elder of the Khơ Mú ethnic group from Hua Pe hamlet, Thanh Nưa commune (formerly Thanh Luông commune). At 73 years old, he still actively participates in all community activities, from public awareness campaigns and conflict resolution to helping build roads and houses, or visiting households to promote the abolition of outdated customs and encourage new, civilized ways of life. His efforts are always sincere, patient, and enthusiastic. That is why he is beloved by the people and recognized by local authorities. In 2024, he was honored as one of 200 outstanding reputable individuals nationwide in the “Pillars of the Village” program.

Hua Pe hamlet has 31 households and 121 residents, 100% of whom are Khơ Mú. Before 2020, the entire hamlet was classified as extremely disadvantaged, with all households once living in poverty. Refusing to accept this, Dọn joined local Party and mass organizations in visiting every home, persuading people to change their production mindset and boldly restructure their farming and livestock systems. From a lagging area, residents gradually learned to grow vegetables year-round, raise fish, and rear poultry using semi-intensive methods. Many families escaped poverty by applying small-scale VAC (Garden-Pond-Cage) models. The number of poor households dropped significantly from 12 (in 2023) to just 3 (in 2024); no more makeshift or dilapidated houses remain, and the average annual per capita income has reached VND 25 million.

Beyond being a source of inspiration in economic development, Mr. Dọn also acts as a “bridge” in building a new cultural lifestyle in his community. Understanding the power of leading by example, he often tells his children and fellow villagers: “If you want people to listen and follow, you must take the lead and be a role model, from your own family to the entire community.” That’s why weddings and funerals in his family are always held simply and economically. His household strictly complies with Party guidelines, State laws, and local customs and regulations.

“I don’t have much formal education,” he shared, “but being trusted by the Party, the State, and respected by the people, I must live with integrity. Sometimes you don’t need to say much, just set an example. People will see what’s right or wrong, what should or shouldn’t be done.”

From the example of the model Party Secretary Đinh Văn Hoàn and the dedicated community leader Lường Văn Dọn, we see the spirit of solidarity, perseverance, and renewal being ignited every day in residential areas. In this strong transformation, the role of these “pioneers” is irreplaceable.

Reality shows that in many villages, wherever local officials and Party members are truly exemplary and close to the people, where words match deeds, those places tend to be stable, united, and noticeably developed. On the contrary, where officials lack closeness or responsibility, movements often struggle, and public trust and consensus are weakened.

Along with the rest of the country, our province is currently implementing the two-tier local government model. As we streamline the administrative apparatus, the goal is not only to reduce the number of officials but also to improve their quality, especially their practical capabilities, political resolve, and spirit of service for the common good. Therefore, setting an example must not be mere rhetoric or formality, it must be reflected in effective work, with public support being the ultimate measure: being trusted, listened to, and followed by the people.

To achieve this, every official and Party member must engage in self-reflection, self-correction, and daily self-discipline through their work and public service. Every action of an official, especially leaders, serves as the clearest proof of their competence and credibility. This is also essential to maintaining public trust, spreading positive values, and reinforcing national solidarity to help Điện Biên develop rapidly and sustainably in the new era.