Ban Luoc women join hands to build their homeland

BHG - Women today not only play the role of "keeping the fire" in the family but also actively participate in economic development, cultural preservation and community building. In Ban Luoc commune (Hoang Su Phi), ethnic minority women have been quietly writing a beautiful story of perseverance, creativity and national pride while preserving traditional cultural identity and striving to become rich right on their homeland.

BHG - Women today not only play the role of "keeping the fire" in the family but also actively participate in economic development, cultural preservation and community building. In Ban Luoc commune (Hoang Su Phi), ethnic minority women have been quietly writing a beautiful story of perseverance, creativity and national pride while preserving traditional cultural identity and striving to become rich right on their homeland.

The winding road leading to Suoi Thau 2 village, Ban Luoc commune, in early summer, seems to be woven from the green of the mountains and forests and the light pink of the remaining peach and plum clusters. In the traditional stilt house, Ms. Vuong Thi Diem, a Dao ethnic person, is busy preparing traditional dishes for tourists. Ms. Diem is 28 years old this year. Previously, she was just a rice and corn farmer, but since the community tourism development movement was launched, she has boldly changed her mindset, learned more tourism skills, and explained the history and culture of the ethnic group. Now, she is the owner of a famous homestay in the village and an inspiration to many other women in the commune.

Ms. Vuong Thi Diem and her husband catch carp in the fields and prepare food for tourists.

Sharing with us, Ms. Diem said: “At first, I thought that I was an ethnic minority woman with little education, so how could I do tourism ? Thanks to the support of the Women's Association of the commune, I was able to attend training courses in Hanoi, learn more about communication and cooking methods suitable for lowland and foreign guests, so gradually I realized that I could do it. Now the whole commune has nearly 10 homestays, most of which are owned by women.”

Ms. Vuong Thi Phuong, a Dao ethnic in Suoi Thau 2 village, is also a typical example. From a person who has been attached to the fields all year round, she has boldly learned and developed a model of growing Shan Tuyet tea combined with community tourism. Thanks to the application of preliminary processing and packaging techniques according to food hygiene and safety standards, her family's tea products have been sold on e-commerce platforms and local agricultural fairs, helping to increase her family's income. Ms. Phuong shared: "We want Shan Tuyet tea from our village not only to drink, but also to be a typical product, bringing the identity of the Dao people to the world. We do this not only for economic reasons, but also to preserve the traditional craft, preserve the soul of the mountains and forests, and affirm the position of the highland PN people."

Currently, Ban Luoc commune has nearly 10 homestays, most of which are owned by women. Photo: Contributor

Comrade Vuong Thi Sinh, President of the Women's Union of Ban Luoc Commune, is the person who directly mobilizes women to participate in new economic models. According to her, in order for women to truly play their role in the new era, it is important to help them change their mindset. With a style of being close to and understanding the people, Ms. Sinh not only promotes gender equality but also directly guides members in vocational training, accessing credit, promoting products, etc.

Ms. Sinh shared: “Rural women suffer many disadvantages, from learning conditions to access to information. The Commune Women's Association determines that we must be a companion, supporting women to learn a trade, access technology, and confidently step out of their comfort zone. In addition, we focus on preserving cultural identity because it is a valuable asset of ethnic women. Now, many women not only know how to do business, but also work as tour guides and do communication through social networks. By 2024, the entire Ban Luoc commune will have more than 80% of households with women participating in self-sufficient economic models, from growing organic vegetables, raising bees for honey, to doing tourism... Average income has increased by 1.5 - 2 times compared to 5 years ago; in particular, the rate of girls going to school and studying at higher levels is increasing."

Ms. Dang Thi Xuan, Thai Binh village, Ban Luoc commune, diversifies crops to increase family income.

To help members and women become more and more brave, confident and shining, the Women's Association of Ban Luoc commune is continuing to support women in economic development through specific activities such as: Propagating and mobilizing women to promote initiative and creativity in production and business development; mobilizing members to produce and do business according to the value chain, expand household economy, collective economy, safe and organic agricultural production, create products with brands, values, economic efficiency, high competitiveness, actively participate in the program "One Commune One Product" (OCOP) on the basis of key products, traditions, strengths of the locality... Support the establishment and improvement of the quality of operations of cooperatives/cooperative groups managed by women; support connection and product consumption.

The story in Ban Luoc is a vivid demonstration of the inner strength of the highland women in the new era. From hands that were only used to holding hoes and weaving looms, they now hold phones, cameras, manage social media accounts, and lead the community towards green and sustainable development. They are not only the “fire keepers” in their families, but also the “fire makers” for the whole village, lighting up the belief and aspiration to rise up in the mountains and forests.

Article and photos: NGUYEN YEM

Source: https://baohagiang.vn/van-hoa/202506/phu-nu-ban-luoc-chung-tay-xay-dung-que-huong-500468d/