(VOVWORLD) - Once facing many difficulties, the Dao village of Phieng Phang in Thai Nguyen province, is now seeing steady improvements in living standards and economic development. Those changes are partly attributable to the contributions of Party member Trieu Thi Man, a respected community figure.
 Trieu Thi Man (C) talks with villagers. (Photo: Cong Luan – VOV correspondent in the Northeast region) |
Trieu Thi Man was elected Secretary of the village’s Party cell in 2006. For 20 years, she has worked closely with local officials and Party members in getting villagers to participate in local movements and initiatives.
In 2020, when a project to build a road linking the commune center with Phieng Phang village was rolled out, many households were upset because their farmland was affected. Man went door to door, patiently explaining the long-term economic benefits of the road. In the end, every household agreed to donate land, and the project was implemented smoothly.
“Travel and transporting goods are now much easier. I continue to encourage people to innovate and contribute to the new rural development movement,” said Man.
As a Party member, Man consistently demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and leads by example in all village activities, from donating land for road construction to restructuring crops and livestock.
Rain or shine, she visits households to explain Party guidelines and State policies in clear, simple terms. Her empathy and sincerity have strengthened people’s trust in their local leaders, fostering unity and collective action.
 The organic Tai sticky rice variety is preserved and developed by Trieu Thi Man, together with the Dao ethnic community. (Photo: Cong Luan – VOV correspondent in the Northeast region) |
“Trieu Thi Man is very dedicated to village affairs. She was the first to give up part of her land for the village yard and volleyball court. Everyone followed her example, donating land so the road could be expanded and travel made easier,” villager Trieu Thi Dao said.
Phieng Phang village has 112 households, most of them Dao ethnic people. In the past, they were largely dependent on small-scale farming, with unstable incomes and a high poverty rate. Man guided them in applying technology to farming, restructuring their crops and adopting higher-value varieties. She also encouraged households to form linkages and cooperatives to foster a collective approach to production.
30 households have joined the Yen Duong Cooperative, which produces organic sticky rice and handmade arrowroot vermicelli, and provides tourism services. The cooperative’s Tai sticky rice has earned a 4-star OCOP certification and is now sold in many places, boosting the average income of co-op members to between 150 and 200 USD per month.
“Trieu Thi Man is exemplary in village activities, guiding and encouraging people to improve the local economy and reduce poverty. She’s a member of the cooperative and keeps encouraging other households to join,” Dang Van Cuong, Secretary of Phieng Phang village’s Party Committee, said.
 Phieng Phang villagers’ livelihoods improve day by day thanks to the development of OCOP products. (Photo: Cong Luan – VOV correspondent in the Northeast region) |
This year, due to declining health, Man stepped down from her position as Party cell Secretary, but was elected a prestigious person in her community. In her new role, she remains active in encouraging residents to follow Party guidelines and State policies, lead a civilized lifestyle, abandon outdated practices, and preserve the traditional culture of the Dao people, particularly Red Dao costume embroidery.
“Man always encourages us to develop our economy and preserve our ethnic culture. Many people became hesitant to wear traditional clothing, fearing it was outdated, but she helped people to understand its value and feel proud of it. Today, almost every household in the village owns one or two traditional Dao costumes,” said villager Trieu Thi Tam.
Party member Trieu Thi Man has played an important role in the transformation of Phieng Phang village. The rural landscape has been revitalized, the standard of living has improved, and the poverty rate has declined. Man has been a pillar of trust and a bridge between the Party and the people, who has inspired aspirations for a prosperous, sustainable future for the Dao community in Phieng Phang.