(VOVworld)-Hoa Lu in the northern province of Ninh Binh has become the first district in Vietnam to be recognized as a new-style rural area according to new government criteria.

President Tran Dai Quang (R) hands over a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh to a Hoa Lu district representative (Photo: VNA)

A ceremony to present the title was held on Saturday in the presence of State President Tran Dai Quang and Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue, Head of the Central Steering Committee for the National Target Program on building new-style rural areas. Saturday also marked the 110^th anniversary of Hoa Lu district, which is part of Vietnam’s capital in the 11^th century.