The Architects of a New Life in Lam Dong's Indigenous Villages
More than just trusted messengers bringing the Party's guidelines and the State's policies to local communities, village elders, village chiefs, and other respected community leaders in Lam Dong have become pioneers in economic development, advocates for eliminating outdated customs, and champions of building a more civilized way of life. Through their leadership and dedication, they have become the architects of a new life, helping transform the face of indigenous villages across the province.
More than just trusted messengers bringing the Party's guidelines and the State's policies to local communities, village elders, village chiefs, and other respected community leaders in Lam Dong have become pioneers in economic development, advocates for eliminating outdated customs, and champions of building a more civilized way of life. Through their leadership and dedication, they have become the architects of a new life, helping transform the face of indigenous villages across the province.
For the past seven years, K'Lo, former Secretary of the Party Committee of Dak Plao Commune (now Quang Khe Commune, Lam Dong Province), has been at the forefront of bringing the Party's guidelines and the State's policies to local people through practical actions and tangible results.
Beyond campaigning to eliminate outdated customs, he has devoted himself to helping local residents change their mindset toward production, making better use of the area's potential to improve their livelihoods.
According to K'Lo, being chosen by the people of B'Tong Village as a trusted community leader is both an honor and a great responsibility. Drawing on many years of grassroots experience, he believes his mission is to help local people build better, more prosperous lives.
With that conviction, he has spent years encouraging local residents to attend agricultural training courses and confidently replace low-yield crops with more suitable and productive farming models.
In 2023, K'Lo took the initiative to bring together local households to launch a commercial goat-farming project. By making effective use of readily available natural feed, the model has created jobs and increased incomes for many ethnic minority families in the community.
What I hope for most is not simply to see a few more households raising goats, but to see people change their mindset—making the most of their local advantages to increase their incomes and escape poverty sustainably. Once the way people think about production changes, their lives will change as well.
K'Lo, a respected community leader in B'Tong Village, Quang Khe Commune, Lam Dong Province
The success of K'Lo's model demonstrates that when respected community leaders take the lead through action, their influence extends far beyond words of encouragement. The same pioneering spirit has been embraced by Cil Ha Phuoc in Ta Nung 2.
About six years ago, while many local households still regarded coffee as their primary crop, Phuoc boldly converted his low-yield coffee plantation into a dollar eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea), a foliage crop grown for the floral industry. Starting with just over 1,000 square meters, the plantation has proven to be economically successful, inspiring many other farmers to adopt the model and diversify their production.
Inspired by Phuoc's pioneering efforts, many local households have confidently adopted modern farming techniques and shifted to crop varieties better suited to local conditions. In addition to coffee, plantations of dollar eucalyptus, gerberas, chrysanthemums, and Italian ruscus foliage have helped transform the landscape of Ta Nung 2, giving the area a vibrant new agricultural identity.
Notably, since 2023, Ta Nung 2 Residential Group has had no poor or near-poor households. The community has emerged as a model for local economic development and improved living standards.
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Alongside their pioneering role in economic development, respected community leaders across Lam Dong Province have also played a pivotal role in promoting civilized lifestyles. Through their influence and trusted voices, they have helped transform public attitudes, foster positive habits, and strengthen people's sense of responsibility and self-discipline within their communities.
A striking feature of Ta Nung 6 Residential Group in Cam Ly - Da Lat Ward is its clean streets, where litter is rarely seen. This achievement is the result of a collective effort by local residents, supported by the tireless advocacy and exemplary leadership of Ly The, a respected community leader, together with the local authorities.
For many years, Ly The has worked closely with the Fatherland Front Committee and the residential group administration, patiently encouraging each household to change daily habits and raise awareness of environmental cleanliness and sanitation.
Thanks to Ly The's persistent efforts, sorting household waste and disposing of it at designated collection points has become a routine practice for most residents. Each month, community members join together to clean neighborhood roads, resulting in tidy, well-maintained streets and putting an end to the littering that was once common.
If we want a clean and beautiful neighborhood, every family must first take responsibility for keeping their own home clean. When everyone does their part, our environment will become greener, cleaner and more beautiful.
Ly The, a respected community leader in Ta Nung 6 Residential Group, Cam Ly–Da Lat Ward, Lam Dong Province
Similarly, after serving for more than a decade as a respected community leader among the Mong ethnic community in Dak Snao 2 Village, Quang Son Commune, Lam Dong Province, Giang A Ly has steadfastly accompanied local residents in changing their mindset, improving their livelihoods, and building a more civilized way of life.
One notable example came in early 2026, when, thanks to his advocacy, many households voluntarily donated land for the construction of a local market. More than just a place for buying and selling goods, the Dak Snao 2 Market has helped foster a new community culture, with residents becoming more conscious of environmental cleanliness and maintaining orderly, tidy and well-organized trading areas.
The community market is not only a place for trading goods, but also a space where our traditional cultural values are preserved and celebrated. It has become a gathering place that strengthens community bonds while contributing to a more prosperous, well-developed neighborhood that retains its unique cultural identity.
Giang A Ly, a respected community leader in Dak Snao 2 Village, Quang Son Commune, Lam Dong Province
Beyond helping establish the community market, Giang A Ly has consistently encouraged members of the Mong ethnic community to uphold the Party's policies, preserve their cultural heritage, and embrace a more civilized way of life.
Across Lam Dong Province, more than 800 respected community leaders in ethnic minority areas continue to quietly serve as vital bridges between the Party and the people. Through their credibility, dedication and practical actions, they not only help translate the Party's guidelines into tangible results but also inspire innovation, foster the development of more prosperous villages and hamlets, preserve traditional cultural values, and promote sustainable development.
Text and photos: Duong Phong
Layout: Pham Luong
This article includes archival photographs provided by colleagues