(HBO) – The Thung Rech area in Tu Son commune of Kim Boi district has seven hamlets, five of which are home to people who moved here to give land to the construction of the Da River reservoir in the 1990s. When they began settling down here, population in the area was scattered. They have built houses and farmed crops, turning this desolate land into fertile and vast sugar cane and maize fields.




Quach Cong Tien, a resident in Kim Bac 2 (left), attends to Canh orange trees in his orchard that covers more than 3ha of land.

It is difficult to list all difficulties and hardships local residents have faced as well as their efforts to transform the whole Thung Rech area into a luxuriant and fertile land. People have shifted from farming the traditional crops of sugar cane and maize to cultivating citrus trees. Many families have planted orange, tangerine, grapefruit and longan trees, thus improving economic benefits and income. With their new ways of thinking, some pioneers have developed new farming models, helping to give a facelift to the local economy.

Ly Thi Kim, a resident in Kim Bac 4 hamlet, has three orange gardens with more than 1,000 trees planted three years ago. She is also farming maize, harvesting about 20 – 30 tonnes of corn each crop.

Meanwhile, the family of Quach Cong Tien in Kim Bac 2 hamlet, a member of the Muong Dong Cooperative, has invested in a farm covering more than 3ha of land to cultivate citrus trees. Tien said economic benefits from sugar cane and maize farming is decreasing. If 100kg of maize seeds could generate 200 million VND in the past, the revenue has fallen down to around 50 million VND at present. The sale of sugar cane is also no longer stable like it was in the past when sugar cane was sold to sugar factories. Therefore, his family decided to invest in fruit tree cultivation. His entire farm is now under Canh orange and Tan Lac red grapefruit trees which have borne fruit. Since settling down here, the life of local people has become stable with positive changes.

In spite of natural advantages such as favourable climate and fertile soil, residents in the Thung Rech area still face numerous difficulties. While the main road linking hamlets has been concreted, most of other roads traversing hamlets and fields are made of earth and being degraded, affecting travel and transport of farm produce. A water supply system built in the area has also broken down, forcing locals to use water from wells and springs for daily and farming activities. Due to the low per capita income of about 10 – 13 million VND per year, the number of poor households remains high such as 27 of the 41 households in Kim Bac 2 hamlet, or 16 of the 31 households in Kim Bac 4 hamlet. The life has been stable, but how to have sustainably productive livelihoods is still a concern for local residents.

Related Topics


Hoa Binh enhances awareness of "Safe and happy school" Project

The Department of Education and Training of Hoa Binh province held a conference on March 18 to review the performance of the "Safe and Happy School" Project and set out tasks for 2025. The project, funded by the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families (TFCF), aims to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for students. The event saw the attendance of representatives from the TFCF and 26 beneficiary schools.

Industrial zone trade unions enhance support for female workers

With over 70% of their workers being women, trade unions across industrial parks (IPs) in Hoa Binh have been actively safeguarding their legal rights and interests while implementing initiatives to improve their income and well-being.

Provincial General Hospital innovate to better medical check-ups, examination

In recent years, the Hoa Binh provincial General Hospital has continuously innovated itself and improved the quality of medical services to meet the increasing needs of local people. With substantial investments in infrastructure and modern equipment, along with a team of highly qualified doctors and nurses, the hospital has gradually established itself as one of the leading medical units in the Northwestern region and a trusted destination for healthcare for people inside and outside the province.

Le Van Tam Primary School’s programming club shines on national stage

From mastering the fundamentals of programming to achieving national recognition, the Programming Club of the Le Van Tam Primary School (STAR LVT28) in Hoa Binh city has made remarkable strides in the field of robotics.

Hoa Binh youth launch “digital literacy” team

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Committee and the Vietnam Youth Federation chapter of Hoa Binh province organised a programme on March 12 to launch the "Digital Literacy" movement and an online quiz on the resolutions of the Vietnam Youth Federation congresses at all levels, as well as the Politburo's Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

Sustainable forest development tied to environmental protection

As climate change grows more unpredictable, the development of production forests has become essential - not just for economic growth, but for safeguarding the environment and maintaining ecosystem balance. By boosting local incomes, curbing natural disasters, preventing soil erosion, and protecting water resources, these forests play a crucial role in sustainable development.