Nguyễn Trọng Huế, Chairman of the Mường Luân commune People’s Committee, reflects on 2025 as a landmark year. It was the inaugural period for the two-tier local government model, yet it coincided with the most volatile weather patterns seen in decades. Prolonged heavy rains caused the Mã River to swell to dangerous levels, triggering flash floods and landslides across numerous villages that directly threatened the lives and livelihoods of the residents. This situation placed immense pressure on the new administrative apparatus to remain operational while prioritizing the absolute safety of the people. The commune quickly consolidated its Civil Defense Steering Committee to proactively manage disaster response directly from the grassroots level.

The physical toll was staggering, with dozens of homes collapsing and hundreds of hectares of crops being buried or swept away. Key infrastructure, including transport routes and irrigation canals, suffered severe damage. The chairman recalls times when the entire commune staff had to stretch their limits to rescue citizens, restore vital infrastructure, and maintain daily administrative duties simultaneously. However, through the support of the province and the armed forces, along with the resilient solidarity of the local people, the recovery took flight. Dozens of new homes have been erected, and relief funds were distributed with a speed that matched the urgency of the situation.

Despite the harsh blows dealt by nature, the economy of Mường Luân commune in 2025 revealed several bright spots. The total grain cultivation area reached over 2,057ha with a production output of 6,763 tons, notably with corn production hitting 137.4% of its targeted goal. The livestock sector remained a vital economic anchor, with the total value estimated at VND 56 billion. The commune also demonstrated a forward-thinking mindset by restructuring its crops, planting 171ha of coffee, 28.45ha of macadamia, and 20.8ha of cardamom to ensure a more sustainable future.

Social welfare efforts were equally comprehensive. Beyond immediate disaster relief, the commune utilized the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction to build 159 new houses and repair 8 others for poor households. These efforts contributed to a reduction in the poverty rate to 26.71%, effectively lifting 138 households out of poverty compared to the previous year. These tangible results have significantly bolstered the people’s trust in the leadership of the grassroots-level government.

Pá Vạt village was among the hardest-hit areas due to its proximity to the Mã River. When the floods arrived, the village was nearly submerged, leading to devastating economic losses. Following the disaster, the commune government worked alongside various forces to relocate residents and provide financial aid for home reconstruction. Lường Văn Hùng, the head of Pá Vạt village, notes that while many families have received state support, including one household that received VND 50 million to rebuild, the road to full recovery is still ongoing. Some residents have taken the initiative to rent machinery to reclaim their landslide-damaged fields, but the community still looks forward to the completion of the ĐT130 provincial road to better facilitate trade and travel.

Standing on the banks of the Mã River, one can hear the roar of machinery from ongoing road repairs and see a community that refused to be defined by disaster. 2025 was a test of strength for the new government model and the local people alike. Through flexible leadership and a shared will, the commune has successfully turned a corner, stabilizing lives and maintaining its momentum for economic development.