Experience in many localities shows that when local governments stay close to the people and lead with determination and flexibility, post-merger bottlenecks are gradually removed, delivering clear progress across multiple sectors.

Thanh An is a major rice-growing commune, with more than 1,972 hectares of double crop rice. Average yields reach about 6.5 tonnes per hectare, with annual output of roughly 12,800 tonnes. Identifying rice as a key production pillar, the commune administration has focused on encouraging farmers to apply science and technology and to shift seed structures toward higher quality and greater value. In recent years, premium rice varieties such as Séng cù and Tám thơm have been widely adopted, gradually replacing low yield traditional varieties.

At the same time, post-harvest processing has received greater investment. The commune now has 74 rice milling and processing facilities, all of which are in operation and meet environmental protection requirements. This provides a solid foundation for Thanh An rice to build its brand and expand market access.

To ensure socio-economic development remains aligned with the targets set out in the resolution of the Thanh An commune Party Executive Committee, the Thanh An People’s Committee has issued decisions assigning specific development targets and organised meetings to allocate these targets to each village, enabling them to develop production plans suited to local conditions.

Clear task assignments for each specialised unit, particularly in agriculture, together with close coordination with villages in technical guidance and seasonal production scheduling, have helped make local governance more unified, coordinated and effective.

According to Trần Văn Hải, Chairman of the Thanh An People’s Committee, to achieve agricultural production targets, the commune has tasked the Economic Division with researching and proposing support mechanisms and policies for cooperatives and farmers. At the same time, we are stepping up the promotion and branding of agricultural products, especially OCOP products, to expand their reach to consumers.

Thanks to coordinated action by local authorities and farmers’ willingness to innovate, Thanh An’s economy continues to post solid growth. Average income has reached VND 55 million per person per year, and the economic structure is shifting in a positive direction.

Following the administrative merger, Chiềng Sinh commune now has 28 villages, 3,222 households and a population of 15,268, of whom 98 per cent are ethnic minority people. The multidimensional poverty rate stands at over 36 per cent. The local economy relies mainly on agriculture and is frequently affected by natural disasters and floods. Living conditions remain difficult, particularly in terms of housing. Against this backdrop, Chiềng Sinh has identified improving people’s livelihoods and ensuring social security as its core priorities and as the foundation for sustainable development.

The commune has developed a comprehensive plan to improve living conditions, reviewed all poor and near-poor households and those lacking adequate housing, and issued a 60-day action plan to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses, in line with targets assigned by the provincial People’s Committee. At the same time, the commune has mobilised additional social resources and proposed provincial support for 128 additional houses. To date, 100 per cent of houses supported for poor and disadvantaged households in the commune have been completed and handed over for use.

Through social contributions, the commune has coordinated with partner organisations to implement the “Warm home 6 - Green shoots” programme, supporting the construction of homes for three especially disadvantaged households in Hua Sát village. Ahead of the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, three households - Thào Thị Kía (a single mother with no stable income), Sùng A Sịa (a poor household with a person with disabilities) and Ly A Lềnh (a poor household facing severe housing and living condition shortages) - moved into new, solid homes. The initiative has helped spread a spirit of solidarity and renewed hope among disadvantaged families.

In her newly completed home, Thào Thị Kía of Hua Sát village shared with joy: “From now on, my child and I can live in a solid house and no longer worry about rain or harsh weather. I sincerely thank Chiềng Sinh commune for supporting our family through difficult times.”

The effectiveness of socio-economic governance at the commune level is reflected not only in growth figures, but also in how local authorities organise their work in ways that are practical and tailored to the specific characteristics of each area. Proactively inheriting and adjusting post-merger plans, clearly defining responsibilities, and strengthening dialogue and partnership with local people are the key factors enabling grassroots-level authorities to fulfil their role of being truly close to the people.

In practice, when the administrative apparatus operates smoothly and policies are effectively implemented, economic growth goes hand in hand with social protection, and people’s living standards steadily improve. This provides an important foundation for communes to maintain stability and pursue sustainable development in the new phase.