It has become a tradition: at the beginning and middle of each year, the descendants of the Lường clan in Nà Nhạn commune (Điện Biên Phủ city) gather at the home of the clan head to hold meetings and discussions. Beyond catching up on each other’s lives, these gatherings serve to offer career guidance, encourage entrepreneurship, commend individuals who excel in education and talent promotion, and recognize contributions to maintaining local security and order. The clan also reviews individuals who fail to comply with laws or local regulations, while highlighting those who have made positive contributions to family and community life.

As an elder, Lường Văn Tong from Nà Nhạn 1 hamlet takes pride in setting a good example and always attends clan meetings. He shared: “Since the clan launched its self-governance model with a clearly defined code of conduct, I’ve become more self-aware and always advise my children and grandchildren not to break the rules. Being written up in the clan’s records would be a great embarrassment.”

The Lường clan’s code clearly outlines forbidden behaviors and the corresponding consequences. Members are expected to strictly follow the Party’s guidelines, the State’s laws, and local conventions; foster unity; develop the economy; and steer the younger generation towards moral living - doing good, not evil.

According to clan head Lường Văn Minh, all children in the clan are expected to complete high school. Families with bright but financially challenged children receive support from the clan. “Our leadership board prepares a written commitment for each household not to violate the law. It’s read aloud to the family and must be signed by the head of household personally,” emphasized Minh.

One of the keys to the Lường clan’s success is the role of its respected elders, who lead by example and help mediate conflicts. If anyone in the clan makes a mistake, the elders personally visit their home to advise and help them correct their behavior. Even disputes between married couples are resolved promptly and peacefully, preventing escalation.

Remarkably, no member of the Lường clan has violated the law or engaged in social evils. The clan maintains a strong sense of vigilance, actively protecting their property and participating in crime prevention. Guided by righteousness, goodness, and ancestral tradition, the clan instills in the younger generation a sense of propriety, hard work, and a drive to improve both family and clan economic well-being, thereby contributing to their homeland’s development.

In 2015, the Lường clan Council in Nà Nhạn was officially established with the aim of fostering unity, supporting economic development, educating the youth, and mediating internal conflicts. Based on these goals, the clan formed a representative board with leaders and members, and developed specific codes and guidelines to operate effectively.

Though not previously considered a “hotspot” for security issues, Nà Nhạn once posed many potential risks due to a large population, temporary residents seeking business opportunities, and frequent comings and goings. Additionally, unresolved community disputes often led to division within families and clans.

Major Đặng Ngọc Cương, Chief of the Nà Nhạn commune Police, shared: “We advised the local Party Committee and People’s Committee to strengthen community-based self-governance models for security and order. The Lường clan, being one of the largest in the commune, was selected as a pilot model. Over time, the model has matured and now stands out in the province-wide movement ‘All People Protect National Security’.”

Under the direction of local authorities and police, the Lường clan has made significant contributions to local initiatives and the protection of public order. The clan works closely with community organizations to raise public awareness through campaigns tied to the movement “All People Unite to Build Cultural Life in Residential Areas,” promoting the development of cultural villages and families.

Over the past 10 years, the Lường clan has held 18 meetings, involving nearly 1,100 participants. These gatherings led to the voluntary surrender of 25 homemade firearms. In particular, in response to campaigns under Project 06 led by the Ministry of Public Security, the Lường clan has played a key role in encouraging 500 households (1,000 individuals) to complete Level-2 electronic identity verification and integrate important personal documents into their national ID cards.

Building on strong family foundations, the Lường clan pioneered the formation of a “Self-Governance Clan Group,” working closely with commune police to ensure public security. The group has provided seven valuable intelligence tips to the authorities, helped apprehend two individuals involved in illegal drug possession, and supported the rehabilitation and reintegration of 14 former offenders back into the community.

Lường Thị Thúy, Chairwoman of the Nà Nhạn commune People’s Committee, stated: “The Lường clan is not only a role model in the ‘All People Protect National Security’ movement but has also inspired the local government to replicate this success across other initiatives, such as the People’s Security Teams, Fire Prevention Teams, Security and Order Self-Governance Groups, Fire Safety Gong Alerts, and security and order-linked clusters. Driven by their love for the homeland, villagers are making tremendous efforts to build a prosperous and peaceful Nà Nhạn.”