One of key factors contributing to Long Hung commune’s success is the local authorities’ decision to restructure the local economy towards commodity production. To achieve this goal, Long Hung commune has applied the model of vast rice fields, reorganized local production, and cooperated with businesses to ensure stable outputs and increase economic values for their products. Appropriate restructuring of husbandry and crops on Long Hung commune’s saline soil has boosted local production and living standards. Nguyen Van Loi said his family earns 20,000 USD a year growing oranges, pomelos, and tangerines: "I grew sugarcane for 6 years with very little profit. Then we shifted to growing citrus fruits with much higher efficiency. This has improved our living conditions and generated jobs for other people in our commune."

A ceremony to recognize Long Hung's fulfillment of the national rural development program's criteria on November 3rd, 2014. Photo: thst.vn

Farmers in Long Hung commune have shifted to growing citrus fruits and lotus to collect lotus seed buds, in combination with fish farming, earning thousands of USD annually. They have also applied advanced technologies to improve productivity, have sought stable markets for their products by establishing cooperatives and clubs, and have contributed land and money worth 2.5 million USD to build roads and upgrade local infrastructure. Le Van Trang told us: "Thanks to local authorities’ communications on new rural development, more and more people have voluntarily contributed land and money to build roads, schools, and healthcare centers. We’re happy to contribute to local development." 

This year, Long Hung commune recorded an average per capita income of 1800 USD and a 7% decrease in the number of poor households. The communal infrastructure has been markedly improved. All local households now have access to electricity and clean water. Nguyen Huu Duc, Deputy Secretary of Long Hung commune’s Party Committee, told VOV: "The ultimate goal of the national rural development program is to improve people’s living standards. This can be done by boosting local production and developing the local economy. Public consensus has contributed significantly to this goal. People have agreed to change their old production methods and ways of thinking for more effective production."