The recently completed Cham Pong Bridge, which was constructed with funds from Dantri/Dtinews Newspaper readers and VND1 billion (USD40,000) from the Garment 10 Joint Stock Company, connects Cham Pong and Nam Nghep villages.

Before the bridge was built, more than 1,000 local people used a makeshift wooden bridge that was especially dangerous during flood seasons.

Speaking at the bridge opening ceremony on April 19, Editor-in-Chief of Dantri Newspaper, Pham Tuan Anh, said it was the fifth construction project that Dantri has carried out in Son La so far, with four others being schools in poor districts in the province.

"We received feedback from many readers and lots of donations to help build a bridge after we published an article about residents in Ngoc Chien," Anh said. "Garment 10 Joint Stock Company also donated to this project, following similar cases in the central region. I want to thank the Garment 10 Company and all donors for helping carry out this project."

Anh also expressed gratitude to authorities in Son La Province for creating favourable conditions for the project to have been completed on time.

Attending the event, a representative from the Garment 10 Joint Stock Company, Hoang The Nhu, said he was happy to represent his company and staff at the event in offering their support to the residents of Ngoc Chien.

"With the contribution of VND1 billion from thousands of our staff members, we hope to help ease the hardships for local people," Nhu said, adding that this is the seventh bridge the company had built with Dantri in difficult areas."

Residents in Ngoc Chien Commune are given gifts sent by Dantri readers at the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary of Muong La District Party Committee, Vu Duc Thuan, also thanked Dantri Newspaper, Garment 10 Joint Stock Company and other donors for their valuable support for his area.

Thuan shared that Cham Pong and Nam Nghep villages have 1,122 residents of the H’mong ethnic group who faced lots of challenges due to the difficult mountainous terrain.

"This is a vital project which will help improve the lives of the villagers here," the official said.