Where I was born

The vast land that for me is probably never strange

Where - there are always mountains still covered by clouds far away

The air is fresh, not suffocating like prosperous place…

Introducing to everyone - my beloved Lao Cai is where I was born.

(“Lao Cai where I was born” of the author Hieu Bon.)

On January 1^st, 1996, in the cold wind of early spring, for the first time, a third grade girl, which was I came in Lao Cai town. I still remembered the feeling of being overwhelmed by the shimmering lights on Hoang Lien Street, the main road of Lao Cai town at that time. But at that time, Lao Cai still had many difficulties, the Provincial Party Committee area was the row of old grade 4 houses surrounded by reeds. In addition to the main road, most of the roads are dirt roads, gravel roads, people's lives were still very poor. At that time, the construction and establishment of Lao Cai was being implemented with many difficulties and challenges.

A corner of Lao Ca City

10 years, 20 years, 30 years has passed, the third grade girl has grown up every day in the hustle and bustle of the innovative Lao Cai. Witnessing the potholes that were once full with holes now has been paved with asphalt with the row of houses on either side; the reeds are replaced by spacious and modern administrative areas; national standard schools; the conveniently planned markets… The Lao Cai - Hanoi highway is considered the "economic backbone" axis for the entire Northwest region, shortening the distance in space and time, opening up great opportunities in the social economic development and tourism of the localities. Students studying in Hanoi now only need 4 hours to return to their parents, which I still wished for in the past.

When I am gone

When I return to the capital, I realize that people still think of Lao Cai as the strange mountainous region

They still think that their people have to stay in huts to go to school by horse not like other people…

I don't blame them because they don't know how different Lao Cai is now.

Lao Cai, one of the six poorest provinces in the country, has risen to become the most developed province in the Northwest, the fairly developed province of the Northern Midlands and Mountains. The economic growth rate is high, continuous, maintained at a high level, the average period of 1991 - 2020 reaching 10.89%/year. Rapid economic restructuring, the proportion of the agricultural economy decreased gradually. State budget revenue in the area in 2020 will reach 9,089 billion VND (478 times higher than in 1991), ranking the third compared to the northern midland and mountainous provinces. Agriculture has always been identified by the province as the most important and leading industry to achieve the goals of hunger eradication, poverty reduction and population stabilization. Industrial economy, import-export, tourism and service have many breakthroughs. In particular, Lao Cai border gate economic zone is active, attracting thousands of businesses and organizations to participate in business activities, affirming its position as the "leading" of the economy. Tourism which used to have resort tourism products in Sa Pa, now being effectively exploited, showing the diversity, richness, distinctive and unique characteristics of Lao Cai with many tourist attractions in Sa Pa, Bac Ha, Bat Xat and Lao Cai city, especially Sa Pa National Tourist Area with the majestic Fansipan peak, has gradually affirmed its position on the tourist map of Vietnam, as well as the world. The social economic infrastructure is invested, upgraded and relatively synchronous. The appearance of rural areas has many prosperity; The program to reduce poverty and ensure social security for policy beneficiaries, ethnic minorities and disadvantaged areas is focused, the poverty rate will decrease from over 60% in 1991 to 8.2% in 2020…

Accompanying economic development, the social cultural sector has also undergone strong changes and achieved many important achievements. Cultural works from villages, hamlets, communes, wards, districts and cities such as museums, libraries, cultural centers, multi-purpose gymnasiums, stadiums, parks... have been invested synchronously for better serve of the spiritual life of the people. The education and training with many achievements, the quality of education is in the top of the northern mountainous provinces. The quality of health protection and care for the people has been improved, and the medical network has been developed from provinces to villages. National defense and security are always guaranteed and maintained, foreign relations are increasingly expanded and strengthened… 

Party establishment has been carried out comprehensively, synchronously, drastically and effectively. When re-establishing the province, the Provincial Party Committee had 493 unit party organizations with 10,942 party members; 451 villages and hamlets still had no party members. Until now, the province has had nearly 50,000 party members, the percentage of party members; 100% of villages and hamlets have independent branches.

And there are many numbers that are the results of the transformation and breakthrough of Lao Cai to become the most vibrant and developed province of the Northwest region.

Being a child born and grown up in Lao Cai, witnessing the change and development of the rich and beautiful homeland, that is pride, joy and excitement. Those results and achievements are thanks to the contribution from the history of fighting against foreign invaders, industriousness, creativity, productive labor to build the country, from the flesh and bone sacrifices of the Heroes, from the sweat, effort, wisdom and enthusiasm of the generations of ancestors and predecessors, from the efforts of all classes of people in the great unity of ethnic groups in the province. In particular, the pioneering role of the Provincial Party Committee has led all the people of Lao Cai ethnic groups to overcome all difficulties and challenges, achieve many great victories and achievements, making an important contribution to the revolutionary road of the Party and the nation.

The road ahead is opening for Lao Cai many opportunities and advantages, but also many difficulties and challenges. But with the solidarity, striving and attention of the Central Government, the authorities and people of all ethnic groups, Lao Cai has the right to be proud and aspire that Lao Cai city becoming an "international metropolis", the international cooperation, economic zones and logistics; The destination of flights to all five continents, of trains, platforms and highways connecting trade; the civilized, hospitable and friendly Lao Cai people welcome visitors from all over the world to Sa Pa - the city in the mist, Y Ty - Thousand of forests, Bac Ha - the White Plateau; which is the model of international relations "Neighboring" of peace, cooperation and development.