(VOVworld) – Thanh Thang, whose population is mostly Catholics, has become Can Tho City’s first commune to complete all criteria of the national new rural development program. This success is attributed to the local people’s consensus and determination to contribute to communal development.

Thanh Thang is one of two communes in Can Tho selected to pilot the national new rural development program. After 3 years of implementing the program, Thanh Thang has completed all of the program’s criteria, one year ahead of schedule. Priest Pham Hong Nhat of Hai Hung parish, Vinh Thanh diocese, told VOV: "Priests and local authorities have cooperated to launch campaigns to protect the environment. We no longer have to suffer from inundation during rainy seasons thanks to newly paved roads and better irrigation systems."

Being aware of the importance of new rural development, local Catholics have contributed both money and labor to upgrade the local infrastructure. Roads connecting hamlets have been built at a cost of 2.7 million USD, most of which was donated by local people. Do Van Trich, a Catholic follower in Thanh Thang commune, said: "Trading and transportation have become much easier thanks to an upgraded traffic system. Many families have become better-off."

Paved road leading to Thanh Thang commune, Can Tho City. Photo: baocantho.com.vn

Since Thanh Thang began to build new rural areas in 2011, the commune has completed several difficult criteria of the program, including rezoning and upgrading local rural infrastructure, upgrading the electricity system, and building houses, post offices, healthcare centers, and schools. In 2013, Thanh Thang completed the construction of its irrigation system, rezoned fields, restructured crops, and reorganized high-yield rice production zones, contributing to improving local income. Tran Tien Dung, another local Catholic follower, told VOV: "We definitely support the authorities’ guidelines and instructions to speed up production. The local government and people joined hands to dredge canals and build dams around fields. Local farmers have also been instructed to grow 3 crops per year."