(VOVworld) – Nguyen Van Hoan is Chairman of Bac Son commune’s People’s Committee in the northern province of Quang Ninh. Although the local road is rough, whenever he can, Hoan goes to visit and talk to local families to learn about their circumstances and needs. Lan Anh reports

Hoan spends most of his free time on his motorbike traveling to all parts of the commune. Hoan took us to Than Phun hamlet to examine some of the rural economic models of the ethnic minority people there. On the way, he gave us some information about Bac Son commune which relies mainly on agriculture and forestry. The commune has 1.700 households and two thirds of its population are ethnic minorities. Hoan says that though he was born in Dong Trieu town, he considers Bac Son his second homeland and whatever he does is in the interest of the locals: “Officials should live and work with the locals to understand their needs and aspirations. We should be familiar with local customs and practices to achieve better communication. Field trips are a good way to get closer to the people.”

Hoan says the road leading to Than Phun hamlet used to be muddy and narrow. It has been expanded thanks to land donated by the locals. Hoan says: “Many families donated land and labor to expand this road, making it more convenient for local transportation.”

Ly’s family donated 400m2 of land. Ly said donating land should be encouraged because it’s useful to society, adding that her family has benefited from the road expansion: “The road is much smoother and transportation is easier now. We are ready to give what we can for the community’s development.”

Hoang Van Thai, President of the hamlet’s Fatherland Front, says the people of Bac Son are lucky to have a devoted leader like Chairman Nguyen Van Hoan: “Hoan cares a lot about the lives of the locals. He often meets and talks with them to learn about their difficulties in order to find appropriate solutions.”

Hoan is loved and respected by everyone in Bac Son commune. Active in social activities, he has become a role model in developing people’s household economy: “I was among the forerunners in developing the farm model of planting cash crops and raising hedgehogs and poultry. In 2007 and 2008 we also raised cows. We now have 10 hectares for growing fruit trees and cash crops. Our average income is approximately 4,000 USD a year.”

Although Hoan no longer has to worry about his own family’s finances, he keeps telling himself to work harder to help improve locals’ lives materially and spiritually.