Tay Giang has about 70 reputable people in all 10 communes. They come from different walks of life. Most of them are village elders, village heads, retired officials, and officials working in villages and communes. They understand the Party guidelines and State policies and laws and fulfill their responsible role in the community where they live.

Hoih Xac, a reputable person in Arot hamlet, said that thanks to the people's trust, he is able to persuade them to comply with Party guidelines and State laws, and stay away from social evils.

“I tell them to develop the economy to become prosperous. During village meetings, I try to explain to the villagers the Party guidelines and State laws. Sometimes I have to go to their home to talk. I think I should do whatever is beneficial to the community,” said Hoih Xac.

Briu Po, the patriarch of the Co Tu community in Lang commune, said, “During village meetings, I introduce ways to reduce poverty. In my opinion, poverty should be treated like an enemy.”

Briu Po told VOV that he began to grow ‘ba kich’ (morinda officinalis) in 2007. He was the first person to preserve the native morinda officinalis gene and his family now has 1.3 hectares of ba kich, which can earn 21 USD a kilo. 

“We earn more than 4,100 USD a year. I’ve taught my village how to grow these herbal trees to reduce poverty. 65-70% of the local families have escaped poverty thanks to this plant. I tell villagers to have only 1 or 2 children,” said Briu Po.

The involvement of prestigious people has made dissemination effective. Lieutenant Colonel Ating Chon, Head of the Lang commune police, said village elders and village chiefs play a very important role.

“Whatever they say, the villagers listen to them and act on their advice. Whenever the commune police want to work with a village or hamlet, village elders are always invited to come along and speak first. Then the villagers are more inclined to follow suit,” said Ating Chon, adding, “If you want to do something, it’s better to consult the village elder first. Then dissemination can get good results.”

To further promote the role of reputable people in the area, the Tay Giang district administration has regularly organized training courses, and commended and rewarded them.

Fact-finding trips have been organized for them inside and outside Quang Nam province. As a result, Tay Giang district's economy and society have improved, according to Bhling Mia, Secretary of the district Party Committee and Chairman of the district People’s Council.

“Over the past 20 years the '5 zeros' district of Tay Giang (no roads, no electricity, no schools, no offices, and no medical stations) has improved remarkably, thanks to the village elders, patriarchs, and other reputable people,” said Bhling Mia.

The spiritual support of reputable people have given the locals a prosperous, peaceful life. Thanks to their contributions, Tay Giang district has changed and prospered and the local ethnic cultures have been preserved and promoted.