Life changed thanks to foreign currency.

As a mountainous commune still facing many difficulties, Thuong Nong has a fragmented terrain and small-scale agricultural production with low economic value. For many years, creating jobs and increasing income for local laborers was a major challenge for the commune's Party committee and government. However, in recent years, the appearance of the villages has improved significantly as the wave of people going to work abroad has spread strongly.

In early 2025, with active support from the local government in completing the necessary documents and accessing preferential loans of nearly 200 million VND from the Social Policy Bank, Ms. Phuong Mui Diet from Ban Cuom village successfully completed the procedures for working abroad in Taiwan.

Leaders of Thuong Nong commune are disseminating information to local residents about policies supporting overseas labor export.

With a stable job and income, Ms. Diet regularly sent money back to her family. Seeing the clear positive results, in February 2026, Ms. Diet's husband, Mr. Trieu Can Ton, also registered for overseas employment in Taiwan. To date, the couple has not only repaid all their bank loans but also saved enough money to send back to their family to build a new, sturdy house, officially escaping the poverty list of the commune.

Also in Ban Cuom village, in 2025, Mr. Chuc Can Ta was guided by the commune to apply for a preferential loan of 160 million VND to work in Taiwan for 3 years. Currently, after more than a year of working, he has paid off almost all of the principal and interest on the bank loan. Mr. Ta shared: In the future, he will continue to save money to send back to his family to pay off debts and invest in long-term production and livestock farming so that he will have capital after completing his contract and returning home.

The spacious house of Ms. Phuong Mui Diet's family was built with savings accumulated from participating in overseas labor export programs in Taiwan.

Standing alongside workers

According to a report from Thuong Nong commune, to date, the entire commune has 97 workers employed in foreign markets. In 2016 alone, the locality successfully sent 34 workers to traditional markets such as Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea .

The success of those who spearheaded the overseas labor export movement has created a positive ripple effect. The number of people in Thuong Nong participating in overseas labor export has steadily increased over the years. High and stable incomes from international markets have not only helped many ethnic minority families pay off their debts and build decent houses, but have also completely changed the mindset of the local people regarding labor and production.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Dung, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Thuong Nong commune, said: Currently, job opportunities abroad are very wide open with many markets offering good working conditions and income such as Japan , South Korea, and Taiwan. Many of the occupations accepted are precisely the strengths of the local people, such as farming, caring for and harvesting vegetables, processing agricultural products, or caring for livestock. In particular, the Japanese market is no longer limited to skilled trainees but has expanded to accept workers of various skill levels, creating significant potential for the locality.

The family of Ms. Chúc Thị Sỷ, from Bản Cưởm village, has a more comfortable life thanks to their two children working abroad.

To ensure that people can confidently participate in overseas labor export, the Thượng Nông commune government has promptly and fully implemented the State's support mechanisms and policies. The commune proactively coordinates with specialized agencies to provide support, necessary training, and guidance on administrative procedures quickly and efficiently. At the same time, the appraisal and disbursement of preferential loans from the Social Policy Bank are carried out openly, transparently, and to the correct beneficiaries.

Besides financial support, raising awareness among local officials and the public about the importance of sending workers abroad is also given special attention, helping people to clearly distinguish reputable businesses and avoid risks from fraudulent organizations.

Chairman of Thuong Nong Commune People's Committee, Nguyen Anh Dung, emphasized: Overseas labor export is not simply about "exporting" labor, but also about "importing" knowledge, technology, and management skills back to the locality. Many returning workers have become successful entrepreneurs, applying knowledge and professional work ethics from abroad to production and business. This creates a positive cycle: money is accumulated, and experience is transferred.

To attract more workers to participate in the next phase, Thuong Nong commune has determined to continue promoting the role of mass organizations in propaganda, mobilization, monitoring, and supervision of the implementation process.

The commune will closely coordinate with reputable labor export companies to organize direct consultations in each village; focusing on prioritizing support for laborers from poor and near-poor households and families entitled to preferential policies; creating conditions for laborers to start businesses after returning home through credit policies and job placement within the country... Only then will the path to overcoming poverty in the Thượng Nông ethnic minority region truly be sustainable.

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