We returned to Lai Thieu ward in Thuan An town, where was once the fiercest battlefield of Binh Duong 40 years ago. Lai Thieu now is no longer a devastated area but a crowded urban one.
Changing every day
Lai Thieu is a lot different now with many high-rise buildings, spacious and clean residential areas, instead of uncultivated land in the past. Lieutenant General Nguyen Huy Hieu, who led Trieu Hai regiment across Lai Thieu to advance toward Saigon on April 30th 1975, said: “Returning to Lai Thieu, I could not recognize the fiercest fighting region in the past. On that day, on the way to Saigon, I believed that Lai Thieu would become one new urban center of Binh Duong”.
Lai Thieu after the liberation became one unforgettable war wound in the minds of Binh Duong people. But people of the traditionally revolutionary region were determined to rebuild this land.
Lai Thieu is growing robustly.
The economic development of Lai Thieu ward in recent years came from many favorable factors, such as: the location being adjacent to major urban centers, comprehensive infrastructure… But Lai Thieu has also faced difficulties, especially social issues emerging in the urbanization process.
Overcoming all difficulties, over time, especially in 5 years (2010- 2015), Lai Thieu has grown continuously to become one highlight of Thuan An town. Trade – service has been developing diversely in terms of quality and size, gathered in the inner region and main routes, creating many jobs for local workers. In particular, banking, information - telecommunications, health care, supermarkets, hotels, entertainment... has become a key factor in promoting local economic development. Local cooperatives have developed stably and smoothly.
In the agricultural sector, although agricultural land has decreased due to transfer to building land, plant structure shifted to highly profitable ornamental plants, total value of agricultural production of Lai Thieu ward has grown stably. Besides, flood prevention works has been focused, restored regularly with total expense of many billions.
Ascending
As a new urban area, Lai Thieu has developed infrastructure and urban face, the planning and development of urban areas in accordance with the general orientation till 2020, 2030. Thus, the construction has been conducted in accordance with the land use plan.
Mr. Le Van Cong, Vice Chairman of Lai Thieu ward People’s Committee, said, due to attention and support from authorities, many projects have been carried out as plans, renovating the urban face, such as: Phu Long bridge, roads along Sai Gon river, Eco Xuan villas, Becamex International Hospital…
With the motto "State and people joining hands together", during 5 years, Lai Thieu ward has mobilized many resources, contributions to invest in 21 transportation projects with a total budget of VND25.5 billion including more than VND10 billion contributed from people, organizations, businesses, and 3,000m2 of land worth VND3 billion for construction, urban development in Lai Thieu.
Mr. Binh said, in the future, Lai Thieu will enhance more urban and services to become the urban center of Thuan An town. The ward will continue to encourage trade – services to develop, simultaneously facilitate traditional handicrafts to meet expectations of the Party, government and people of Thuan An town.
Reported by K.Vinh – Translated by Ngoc Huynh
