Tả Ló San was established in 1999 with 19 households and 76 members from the Hà Nhì ethnic group. After 26 years of development, the village now has 27 households with 104 members. Over the years, Tả Ló San has received special attention from the Party, State, and local authorities, but the living conditions remain difficult.

At present, Tả Ló San is one of the most disadvantaged villages in Điện Biên, with over 33% of households classified as poor or near-poor. The people primarily engage in agriculture, but the cultivated land area is only about 17 hectares. There are few animals raised, and natural grazing practices without proper planning or housing make disease prevention difficult. The people’s income mainly relies on forest environmental services, making their livelihoods uncertain. Essential infrastructure is lacking: there is no national electricity grid, the local roads are incomplete, and there are no wastewater or waste management systems and no community activity spaces.

The project “Border Residential Area of Unity, Green - Clean - Beautiful” in Tả Ló San, launched by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Điện Biên province, aims to change the appearance of the border rural areas, create sustainable development pathways, and improve the quality of life for the local people.

The specific goals of the project are to build a safe and civilized residential area, free from social evils such as illegal logging and drug use. 100% of households are committed to maintaining security, protecting the sovereignty of the border, not engaging in illegal migration or illegal border crossing. The project focuses on investing in essential infrastructure, creating stable livelihoods, improving income, and enhancing the green, clean, and beautiful environment. Additionally, it aims to preserve and promote the cultural identity of the Hà Nhì ethnic minority group, fostering the development of eco-tourism and community-based tourism.

According to the plan, Tả Ló San will receive support for rice mills, livestock, and purple cardamom seedlings, as well as the repair of 16 dilapidated houses, including five traditional Hà Nhì houses. These efforts will help boost agricultural and livestock production, and encourage the spirit of self-reliance in overcoming poverty.

Regarding infrastructure, the project will invest in 500 meters of internal roads, a 1-hectare playground, a waste disposal system, the renovation of a primary school into a preschool, and the construction of a village gate. The project will also equip the community cultural house with speakers, televisions, desks, and chairs to restore traditional Hà Nhì festivals and organize cultural and sports activities to strengthen community bonds.

The project also supports the construction of 23 sanitary latrines and 27 livestock shelters, with the aim of improving environmental sanitation. Additionally, it will plant trees and flowers along the roads to create a green, clean, and beautiful environment.

The total estimated cost of the project is VND 1.66 billion, funded by the For the Poor Fund of Điện Biên province and social contributions, to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

Lỳ Trường Sơn’s family is one of the poorest in Tả Ló San. They lack cattle, have limited agricultural land, and rely on a small amount of corn and rice from the fields and income from forest environmental services. They are still living in a temporary, dilapidated house. In response to these hardships, Mr. Sơn’s family was selected as one of five households to receive support for the construction of a sturdy house in the traditional Hà Nhì style. This project was officially started recently.

Sơn shared: “Our family is extremely grateful for the support in building the new house, and it’s even more meaningful to have it built in the traditional Hà Nhì style. This will give us the motivation to live peacefully, work hard, and strive to escape poverty.”

Currently, the construction of a community playground in Tả Ló San is in the final stages. Located in the center of the village with an area of 1 hectare, the playground is expected to become a cultural activity space and a venue for important community events. Pờ Xuân Mười, head of Tả Ló San, held: “Previously, the village had no common place for activities. During holidays, people had to travel to the commune center to enjoy festivals and organize community activities. Once the playground is completed, residents can hold traditional festivals, New Year celebrations, and family events right in the village. This project not only meets the community’s needs but also improves the spiritual life and strengthens solidarity among the people in our border area.”

In addition to infrastructure investments, creating sustainable livelihoods for the people is also a key objective of the project. The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Điện Biên has provided 6 cows and 27,000 purple cardamom seedlings to the people of Tả Ló San. To date, all the households have received the seedlings and livestock and have begun cultivating and raising them as planned.

Pờ Xuân Ly shared: “My family received 1,000 seedlings from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and an additional 5,000 purple cardamom seedlings from a national production support program. Growing purple cardamom not only has high economic value but also helps conserve forests, protect the environment, and open up new economic development opportunities.”