The Party and State have paid special attention to the implementation of the national target program on building new rural areas across the country. After 3 years of piloting in 11 communes and 1 year of nationwide implementation, the program has gained initial results, contributing to changing the appearance of the countryside. A recent conference to review the program has determined that it’s necessary to have cooperative measures and high consensus from central and grassroots levels to achieve better results.
The national program from 2011 to 2020 aims to modernize the socio-economic infrastructure in rural areas, re-arrange the economic structure and production models, develop agriculture on a par with industry and services, connect rural and urban development, and improve people’s living standards. During the pilot phase in 11 communes, more than 100 agricultural and handicraft production and service models were created, improving efficiency and raising rural incomes. Vital infrastructure was built using government funds and local donations. Tran Van Hau, a resident in Tan Lap commune, Binh Phuoc province says: "The new rural program has been well implemented from central to local levels. Roads, schools, clinics, and electricity grids have been developed, which benefits local travel and our children’s education. Our lives have been significantly improved."
After the successful pilot phase, the program has been expanded to thousands of communes with the target of having 20% of the communes meeting the 19 criteria for new rural areas by 2015. Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Huy Ngo says: "The criteria of new rural areas include adequate schools, cultural houses, good roads, and sanitary facilities. The people are happy to benefit from the program. It’s just the initial results. In addition to government funding, the people have contributed labor, land, and money."
Localities which have successfully mobilized involvement by the administration, social organizations, businesses, and the public have gained the best results. Dang Ngoc Son, Director of the Ha Tinh provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says: "The Party, social organizations, and the administration should encourage people to play their role in the program. Local administrators should be role models for the people to follow."
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has set targets for next year that 90% of the communes will have general plans and 50% of the communal officials will be trained in building new rural areas. The campaign “The entire nation joining hands to build new rural areas” is expected to radically transform Vietnam’s rural areas.
Anh Huyen