A decade ago, Kim Lai parish was a “5-No” village – no land, no house, no school, no electricity, and no safe water. Children were born without birth certificates. They did not go to school, but went with their parents on the river to fish or transport light goods. In the rainy season, some families sheltered in makeshift tents under the Phu Luong Bridge.

Vu Xuan Tuan, Head of the Kim Lai parish, said: “In the past, at Christmas and New Year, we stopped at a place under the Phu Luong Bridge. Life was difficult without electricity and clean water. People suffered from diseases.”

Now life in Kim Lai parish is better. The annual income per capita is about 1,700 USD. Children go to school and go on to higher education. Starvation is a thing of the past. Some families have shifted from fishing to trading and services. Kim Lai’s residential area now has many spacious houses.

Hai Duong city has helped Kim Lai parish build a cultural house, schools, and religious facilities. Villager Nguyen Thi Sinh said: “We’re very happy to live close to our neighbors. We enjoy Merry Christmas and Happy New Year celebrations.”

With Christmas coming, Kim Lai parish has been beautifully decorated with flowers and lights to banish the cold of winter.