Lung Tam transformation into a model highland rural commune

Lung Tam, a highland commune located within the Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark, is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Once characterized by misty villages and limited infrastructure, the locality is gradually emerging as a model of highland rural development, where residents work together to build a sustainable and livable community. This journey of change has begun with the simplest foundations: roads, houses, improved living habits, and a shared aspiration for a better future.

Visitors enjoy learning about the brocade products at the Lung Tam Brocade Weaving Cooperative.

By the end of 2025, Lung Tam had fulfilled 14 out of 19 criteria for new-style rural development, with a focus on maintaining and improving the quality of model residential areas. During the 2021–2025 period, the commune mobilized more than VND 57 billion to invest in 31 essential infrastructure projects and implement 43 production development projects benefiting nearly 1,600 households. Notably, nearly 300 temporary and dilapidated houses were eliminated, significantly improving living conditions for local people.

Transport infrastructure has been a major highlight of this transformation. Previously, more than 70% of village roads were unpaved, making travel and trade difficult, especially during the rainy season. Today, 100% of main roads and 95% of alleyways have been concreted, with a total length exceeding 20 kilometers. These roads, now 2.5 to 3.5 meters wide, are not only vital for connectivity but also symbolize community solidarity, as residents voluntarily donated land and contributed thousands of working days alongside state support.

Beyond roads, the appearance of homes and gardens has also changed, becoming cleaner and more orderly while preserving the traditional architectural identity of the Mong ethnic group. Community awareness has improved markedly, particularly in environmental protection. All households in the commune’s 10 model residential areas now have their own waste bins, reflecting a shift toward cleaner and more sustainable living habits.

Economic development in Lung Tam is closely linked to cultural preservation and community-based tourism. The traditional brocade weaving craft, practiced for generations by Mong women, has been revitalized through cooperative models and integrated into tourism activities. Each year, Lung Tam welcomes an average of more than 50,000 visitors, generating stable income from tourism services and helping many families escape poverty.

From a once-disadvantaged highland commune, Lung Tam has now established 10 model residential areas with improved infrastructure, a clean environment, and a well-preserved cultural identity. Its journey of transformation continues, driven by the unity and determination of local people to build a prosperous, sustainable, and truly livable countryside on the Dong Van Karst Plateau.

Phi Anh