This spring brings more than just floral beauty; it opens up hope for a year of fulfillment and peace. For many poor and near-poor households in Mường Ảng commune, the 2026 Bính Ngọ Lunar New Year (Tết) is particularly special as they celebrate their escape from poverty and the beginning of a more prosperous life.

Quàng Văn Lún, a resident of Kéo village, spent many years as part of a poor household, relying solely on a few hundred square meters of wet rice fields. Life was a constant struggle of making ends meet, and the idea of escaping poverty felt like a distant dream.

However, through his family’s determination and timely state support, that dream became a reality. In 2024, the government provided him with over 2,000 monosex tilapia and more than 1.5 tons of animal feed. By mastering the necessary techniques and following the correct processes, he now sells between 3 and 4 tons of commercial fish annually. This stable income allowed him to complete a sturdy reinforced concrete stilt house in early 2025. This Tết, his joy has doubled as he welcomes spring in a new home, officially free from the burden of poverty.

A similar success story unfolds in Mánh Đanh village with Lường Văn Xoan, who escaped poverty through livestock development. In 2025, he received support in the form of 100 sea ducks, along with feed and vaccines. In just under three months, the flock generated an income of over VND 10 million. With this capital, he invested in further facilities to raise breeding sows and black chickens. His livestock has developed steadily without major disease outbreaks, allowing his family to shop for a much warmer and more complete holiday this year.

In Tát Hẹ village, where 100% of the population belongs to the Hmong ethnic group, life was previously difficult due to small-scale production and a lack of capital. To change the way people think and work, Mường Ảng commune implemented a project to support 20 poor households in raising commercial Hmong chickens. Each household received 70 breeding chickens along with feed and technical guidance. Because these chickens are well-suited to the highland climate and fetch high prices ranging from VND 170,000 to VND 180,000 per kilogram, many families have secured a stable income.

Lầu Của Nếnh is a typical example of this transition. While cleaning his house for the new year, he expressed his excitement, noting that his family previously only raised a few ducks and chickens. The black-meat and black-bone chickens grow quickly and are easy to sell, which provided him with the funds to buy sweets and household items for Tết. This practical success has encouraged him to keep some chickens for breeding, ensuring his family remains out of poverty.

Lù Văn Cường, the vice head of the Mường Ảng commune economic office, stated that from 2023 to 2025, the commune has launched numerous livelihood projects for ethnic minority households. These include raising Hmong chickens, sea ducks, and monosex tilapia, as well as establishing links for coffee consumption. More than 600 households have accessed these resources and applied scientific progress to their production, creating jobs and sustainable income.

The Mường Ảng commune administration has remained flexible, implementing models that fit the specific conditions of each local area. Hà Thị Thanh Tâm, the chairman of the Mường Ảng commune people’s committee, affirmed that the plants and animals provided to the people are thriving. The local government continues to encourage residents to repopulate their flocks of chickens and sea ducks to maintain their economic momentum. The dissemination of technical knowledge and the effort to popularize effective farming models have been key in helping families rise toward a sustainable future.

As the new spring knocks on every door, the households that have recently escaped poverty are busy refurbishing their homes and preparing traditional treats. Their bright smiles are the clearest evidence of effective poverty reduction policies, making the spring in Mường Ảng commune feel warmer and more complete than ever before.

Duy Sinh