(VOVworld) – Quang Ninh province basically completed the national new rural development program by the end of 2015. Rural infrastructure has been upgraded and the number of poor households in rural areas has been reduced significantly.

Quang Ninh is Vietnam’s northeasternmost province. It has abundant natural resources including sea, forests, and soil for socio-economic development. It was the first province in Vietnam that established a steering committee for new rural development with a particular focus on communications. Local residents and businesses have responded enthusiastically to the new rural development program. Duong Thi Men, head of Yen Duc cooperative, said: “We have contributed to building new roads and social welfare programs. We have created jobs and helped local residents develop tourism.”

Quang Ninh province has been developing industry and services to boost agricultural development. A number of areas have been zoned to grow specific plants as local specialties. The income of people in rural areas increased from 500USD in 2010 to 1,500USD in 2015. Le Quoc Khanh of An Sinh commune, said: “Paved roads have eased our transportation. We earn a net profit of approximately 4,000 USD a year.”

Quang Ninh was the first province in Vietnam with all of its communes having plans for new rural development. Dong Trieu was the first commune in northern Vietnam to become a new rural area. 86 communes have completed all new rural criteria. Quang Ninh is one of the 10 leading provinces and cities in the national new rural development program.

Vice-chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Dang Huy Hau said the province has determined new rural development a long-term process: “After accomplishing the new rural development program, we aim to develop advanced rural areas up to 2020. Investments will be made to develop local specialties while improving their quality to serve social demand.”