Crossing Chen Pass to reach Bac Yen in the final days of the year, amid the biting cold of the highlands, we accompanied commune leaders on visits to present Tet gifts to residents. We clearly felt the excitement and gratitude of local people as they received attention and support ahead of the Lunar New Year. While directly inspecting the situation and presenting Tet gifts to residents of Sub-area 1, Ha Thi Ngoc Yen, Secretary of the commune Party Committee, personally handed meaningful gifts to poor households and policy families, encouraging them to celebrate Tet in a joyful yet economical manner.

Sharing information about Tet preparations, Yen said that the commune has 682 poor households and more than 500 near-poor ones. On this occasion, the commune Party Committee directed relevant departments to organise delegations to visit and present Tet gifts; implement urban beautification and ensure traffic safety corridors; maintain a clean and safe environment during Tet; ensure supply and demand of goods and manage prices of essential commodities; organise cultural and artistic activities to celebrate the New Year; and effectively maintain security and order before, during, and after Tet.

Upon receiving Tet gifts, poor households and policy families were deeply moved. War invalid Nguyen Van Sao expressed his joy: “We are very happy to receive Tet gifts and attention from provincial and communal leaders. This timely support helps our family celebrate a warmer Tet.”

This Tet holiday, 161 people with meritorious services, relatives of martyrs, reputable persons, and elderly residents in Bac Yen commune received gifts from the State President, the provincial Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee. The commune also distributed 7.9 tonnes of rice to support 132 poor households during Tet and mobilised social funds to provide Tet gifts worth between 250,000 VND and 500,000 VND (19 USD) each to 605 poor households.

In addition to meaningful gifts for disadvantaged families, Bac Yen commune is organising various cultural and artistic activities reflecting ethnic traditions, creating a vibrant community atmosphere in the early days of the New Year. The commune plans to host an Ethnic Cultural and Sports Festival, with competitions such as tug of war, stick pushing, crossbow shooting, and con (cloth ball) throwing, along with folk dance performances. An art programme celebrating spring will also be held. In the first quarter of 2026, the commune will hold a women’s air volleyball tournament to celebrate the Party’s founding anniversary and the New Year at the communal sports ground.

The commune has also proactively coordinated with the Phu Yen – Bac Yen Regional Electricity Management Team and the Bac Yen Water Supply Branch to ensure stable electricity and water supply for production and daily life. Health care and food safety management have been strengthened. Inspection teams have been deployed to combat smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods, focusing on key items such as firecrackers, explosives, e-cigarettes, food, confectionery, alcohol, tobacco, fuel, electronics, and refrigeration equipment. Medical facilities are staffed around the clock and fully equipped with supplies and medicines. The commune police have launched a peak campaign to combat crime, enhance local management, mobilise the surrender of illegal weapons, and ensure fire prevention, traffic safety, and social stability in ethnic and religious communities.

Meaningful gifts, sincere visits, and traditional cultural and sports activities promise a warm and lively Tet in this mountainous area that still faces many challenges. As Bac Yen welcomes Spring 2026, the attention and responsibility of the local authorities serve as a solid foundation strengthening public trust and creating favourable conditions for ethnic communities to confidently engage in production, preserve cultural identity, and work together to build an increasingly prosperous Bac Yen.