Farmers in Huổi Luông Hamlet, Phong Thổ District trade bananas with Chinese buyers. Photo thongtindoingoai.laichau.gov.vn/

Phàn Thị Phương is the party secretary of La Vân Village, Phong Thổ District in the northern province of Lai Châu. For more than ten years, she has devoted her time visiting every household in the district to help eradicate poverty.

Thanks to her dedication, there are only five poor households left in the village out of a total of 37. 

It took us one hour travelling by motorbike from the commune’s centre to reach the village of La Vân. 

Greeting us with a hospitable, enthusiastic smile, the young party secretary of La Vân, who was appointed in 2014, said ever since she took office, she had always wondered how she could educate people while she was still living in poor conditions.   

To escape poverty, she discussed with her husband how to make use of her large piece of land by switching maize and cassava plantations to banana crops. She and her husband also drove to each household, helping citizens to harvest bananas and sell them to traders. 

After two years of hard work, she had managed to save VNĐ100 million (US$4,270) a year. Each month, she earns VNĐ20 million from bananas and selling other commodities. 

Phàn Thị Phương and other female farmers in the village tend to their banana trees. VNA/VNS Photo Việt Hoàng

Back in 2009, when Phương was only 21 year old, she joined the Communist Party of Việt Nam. As a member of the Party, she realised her mission in life was to try her best and help others in the village. 

Each day, after finishing her work, the 31-year-old visits other households publicising Party policies. At night, she works with other female officials encouraging people to switch from normal crops to bananas. 

As a result, the poverty rate has declined through the years. At the moment, many citizens are able to own a nice house TVs, motorbikes and refrigerators.
“La Vân is a border village and we still have five underdeveloped households. There are no social evils like drug addiction, and you always feel secure here,” said Phương. 
         
“Our Party committee has four members, and as the secretary, I often study the policies and instructions from senior leaders to renew and enhance the quality of my group. Alongside, I have to prepare and ensure instructions from our superiors are promoted. In 2018, the La Vân committee attained the title of advanced party,” she added. 
         
Lê Văn Dung, chairman of Huổi Luông Commune's Party Committee in Phong Thổ District, said: “Phương always try to complete the mission her leaders assign to her. To people in the village, she has dedicated herself to the development of the commune. The village is a spotlight in the local work to eradicate poverty.”
Thanks to her devotion to the people, Phương has been awarded a certificate by her communal leader. “This is a group effort. I feel like there is much more I need to do for my community and I will continue to contribute as much as I can to the development of Huổi Luông so in the future, poverty will be totally eradicated from here,” said Phương. VNS