Xuan Phu sets its sights on green development

(ĐN) - Xuan Phu commune benefits from a large area of fertile agricultural land, a mild climate, and a landscape that is clean, green and safe. Local residents are known for their diligence and willingness to innovate, giving the area strong foundations for sustainable development.

Building on these advantages, Xuan Phu has been steering its development strategy towards high-tech agriculture and eco-tourism, with green growth identified as a way to raise incomes and improve quality of life for local people.

Prioritising clean and green agriculture

In recent years, the Xuan Phu commune Party Committee has directed the implementation of measures to develop sustainable agricultural production, apply high technology, and build branded production–consumption linkages in order to gradually improve productivity and product quality.

As a result, the commune has developed and expanded several practical farming models, including moringa vegetable cultivation, dragon fruit farming by the Lang Minh Dragon Fruit Cooperative, the “two rice crops, one maize crop” model in the Dong Minh and Tay Minh fields, and standardised rice and maize production operated by the Xuan Tien Agricultural Trade and Services Cooperative.

Xuan Phu has also established two production and consumption linkages. One connects dragon fruit production with market distribution; the product has been certified under GAP standards and registered with a commercial trademark. The other links the production and sale of clean maize and rice; rice-growing areas have been certified under VietGAP, and Xuan Tien clean rice has been granted exclusive trademark protection.

The value of agricultural output per hectare in Xuan Phu now stands at 183 million VND per year, an increase of 48 million VND compared with 2020. The commune currently has five products rated three stars under the OCOP programme, with one additional product awaiting three-star certification.

Visitors take photos at the lotus fields of Lang Minh Farm in Xuan Phu commune. Photo: Collaborator

Building on their agricultural strengths, the former Lang Minh and Xuan Phu communes developed several garden-based ecological and experiential tourism models linked to local agricultural products. In Lang Minh, the Lang Minh Farm lotus field became a popular destination for visitors and social media check-ins.

According to Tran Thi Phuong, Secretary of the Xuan Phu Commune Youth Union, local youth take pride in their homeland and actively contribute to local development by promoting its natural beauty. Images of the Lang Minh lotus lake and fruit-laden orchards have been shared widely to promote green, nature-based eco-tourism to a broader audience.

Pressing ahead with green development

According to Lai The Thong, Secretary of the Xuan Phu Commune Party Committee and Chair of the Commune People’s Council, Xuan Phu has recorded distinct achievements across multiple sectors in recent years, particularly in agriculture.

Despite these gains, agricultural production remains small in scale, market linkages are not yet stable, and investment in processing and post-harvest preservation remains limited. Results in developing model agriculture, high-tech farming, and organic-oriented production have yet to fully match local potential.

Based on a clear understanding of the situation, the Resolution of the 1st Congress of the Commune Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term emphasized that innovation and green development as guiding principles. High-tech agriculture is designated as the core sector, while eco-tourism, commercial services, and small-scale industries are positioned as key supporting drivers to promote rapid and sustainable growth and improve residents’ income and quality of life.

To ensure effective implementation, the Standing Committee of the Commune Party Committee has directed all local units to develop action programs following a “six-clear” approach: clear responsibilities, clear tasks, clear accountability, clear timelines, clear authority, and clear outcomes. Each unit is required to implement a grassroots engagement model linked to economic development in line with the targets set out in the Congress resolution.

Nguyen Thi Ly, Deputy Head of the Party Building Commission of Xuan Phu Commune, noted that in implementing the Resolution of the Commune Party Congress, the Commune Party Committee has developed the model “Xuan Phu, a Land of Well-being, Wellness City Xuan Phu.” The model is oriented toward the following criteria: physical health and nutrition care, mental well-being and tranquility, social connection and community cohesion, a clean and healthy environment, intellectual development through innovation and creativity, and spiritual connection that fosters life values.

With its development path over recent years and continued efforts in the time ahead, living conditions in Xuan Phu have steadily improved, reflecting unity between the Party’s will and the people’s aspirations.

One of the measures to implement the model is for Xuan Phu Commune to work with Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH) to study and propose solutions for developing sustainable agricultural tourism. This includes establishing core clubs to promote green lifestyles, organic agricultural production, and building networks of homestays, tour guides, and professional community-based services.

According to Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, Director of the Center for Project Design and Innovation at HUTECH, the Party Committee and People’s Committee of Xuan Phu Commune have recently coordinated with the Design Thinking Community – Techfest Vietnam and the university to conduct surveys and launch the Wellness Nature Connect Program, aimed at developing a sustainable agricultural tourism model in Xuan Phu. The program seeks to shape a form of agricultural tourism that integrates health care and nature connection while fully tapping the commune’s existing potential.

Based on in-depth data collection and comprehensive assessments of the commune’s strengths in agriculture, ecosystems, culture, and community experiences, the participating units have proposed solutions to develop organic agricultural tourism and high-end eco-resort models in Xuan Phu. These include positioning local cuisine as a core tourism product, designing distinctive cultural and ecological check-in tours, and developing adventure sports tourism products at Tra Vo Mountain, with the goal of building Xuan Phu’s green tourism brand.

In addition, initial implementation of the “Xuan Phu – A Wholesome Land (Wellness City Xuan Phu)” model has produced early results, including the production of promotional videos on green eco-tourism in Xuan Phu and the organization of cycling activities to support green tourism development, combined with legal awareness activities at the commune level.

Many residents have expanded organic farming areas, and littering along local roads has largely been eliminated, which helps create a cleaner, more open, and orderly environment. Xuan Phu now offers a growing number of visitor and experiential sites linked to its “bright, green, clean and safe” rural routes, including the Quan Am shrine of the Hoa community, Phong Sanh pagoda, a garden–pond–livestock model run by a local war veteran, a small-scale capon farm operated by a farmers’ association member, and a fishing and garden dining spot in Tan Binh 1 hamlet.

Phuong Hang - Translated by Thien Kim, Thu Ha