Spring in ethnic minority hamlets in Northwestern region

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When white plum flowers are in blossom, Phu La ethnic minority people in Khua Cha hamlet, Dien Bien province are busy preparing for the Lunar New Year celebrations.  

This year Phu La households have a more bustling Tet atmosphere. They are tidying up houses and hamlet lanes and to make chung, square sticky rice, and giay, round sticky rice, cakes, the two most important cakes in a Tet feast. Despite economic difficulties, each Phu La family plans to wrap around 20 cakes this year hoping for a prosperous year.

The Phu La ethnic minority people in Khua Cha hamlet, Dien Bien province. (Photo: Vu Loi/VOV)

Giang A Dung, chairman of Phinh Sang commune People’s Committee in Dien Bien, said the local authorities have given much attention to Phu La ethnic community, one of the least populated groups in Vietnam.

“We have outlined specific plans to review disadvantaged Phu La ethnic households and helped them to have a happy Tet. We’ve mobilized villagers to contribute materials to help Phu La poor people,” Dung said.

This year Mong ethnic minority people in Nui Hong hamlet in Son La province will have a happier Tet because the area has been connected to the national electricity grid.

Thao A Pao, head of Nui Hong hamlet, said, “I’m very happy because we now have electricity. I will buy a TV, a fridge, a telephone, and an electric cooker. Everything will be brighter in the evening.”

Leaders of Lai Chau’s military command and Red Cross Society present gifts to disadvantaged families in Sin Suoi Ho commune. (Photo: Thanh Hoa/baolaichau.vn)

Against the coldness of the days close to Tet, ethnic minority groups in the border commune of Ma Ly Chai in Lai Chau will feel warmer with support from the provincial military command.

Ms. Chang Ga Phu, a resident in Ma Ly Chai, said, “We’re so glad to receive the Party and State attention and gifts. We hope that the Party, State, and border guards will continue to help us improve our lives. We will continue to join efforts with border soldiers in safeguarding national border.”

Duong Dinh Duc, Deputy Chairman of Phong Tho district People’s Committee, said the support is a great source of encouragement for local people, whose economic conditions remain poor.

“With the motto ‘Everyone should have Tet’, we reviewed the circumstance of social beneficiaries and poor households and provide them with necessary support to help them have a proper Tet,” Duc added.