An aerial view of a corner of Hoa Binh City (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

Hoa Binh has a population of 870,000 people, belonging mostly to the ethnic minority groups of Muong, Thai, Tay, Dao, and Mong.

Provincial authorities have implemented all three national target programs on new-style rural area building, sustainable poverty reduction, and socio-economic development in ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous areas. Bac Phong in Cao Phong District is one of the leading communes in building new-style rural areas.

Khuong Xuan Lich, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Bac Phong Commune, said that thanks to the national target programs, local people’s material and spiritual lives have improved.

“The average income per capita rose from 1,700 USD in 2021 to 2,170 USD last year. Bac Phong commune now has electricity and medical stations, roads, education establishments, spacious cultural houses, and two schools meeting national standards. Last year we fulfilled the criteria on building advanced new-style rural areas,” said Lich.

All poor and near-poor households in Bac Phong have had health insurance. According to Doctor Tran Ngoc Duong, Head of the commune’s medical station, his station has 5 members and compared to other health stations in the district, they have relatively full personnel with a doctor, a nurse, a midwife, and people in charge of family planning.

“We are in charge of medical examination, treatment and epidemic prevention. If something is beyond our expertise, the patient will be transferred to a higher-level hospital. All local residents have been given health insurance cards,” said Duong.

People in Dinh Cu Commune, Lac Son District enjoy playing volleyball. (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

Thanks to the national target program for sustainable poverty reduction until 2025, the poverty rate in Hoa Binh province has decreased 2.5-3% per year while the number of extremely difficult communes and hamlets have been halved.

National target programs have ensured social security and narrowed the gaps in living standards and the average income between urban, rural and mountain areas.

Tan Lac used to be an extremely difficult mountain district, but has changed now with people’s livelihoods greatly improved.

Le Chi Huyen, Deputy Chairman of the Tan Lac District People’s Committee, told VOV that they have implemented a range of projects, focusing on livelihoods and transportation infrastructure.

She added, “Roads have been built to every commune and hamlet in the district. All 16 communes now meet national health standards. We have paid significant attention to preserving and promoting cultural identity, especially the Muong ethnic culture. The poverty rate dropped from 12.53% in 2022 to 9.45% last year.”

Ethnic children in Hoa Binh Province (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

Tapping its advantages over growing citrus trees, Van Son Commune in Tan Lac District has more than 500 hectares of tangerines, a local spearhead economic crop.

During the harvest season, traders come to buy tangerines at a price of 1.6 USD per kilo.

Dinh Thi Quyet, a Muong ethnic person in Van Son, recalled that training courses have been held for local farmers. The communal administration has supported households to borrow capital to do business.

“My family grows 1,000 orange and tangerine trees, harvesting about 20 tons of crop. We have 6 people in the family, earning 8,200 USD per person per year. The income is enough for us to build a house,” said Quyet.

By prioritizing resources for programs to support production development, livelihood, and vocational training, life of ethnic groups in Hoa Binh Province has been taken up a notch.