(VOVworld) – Phong Dien in Can Tho City has been recognized as a new-style rural district. After 5 years of implementing the National Target Program on New Rural Development, living conditions in Phong Dien have greatly improved.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan at the ceremony to mark Phong Dien district becoming the first new-style rural district in Can Tho city. (Photo: VNA)

Phong Dien was the first in Can Tho and the second in the Mekong Delta region to become a new-style rural district. The achievement was thanks to Phong Dien’s investment in rural infrastructure, particularly rural transportation and irrigation, to support local production. The district also converted less productive farm land to other crops, aquaculture, and ecological tourism.

Phong Dien’s rural area is now remarkably improved, with many new spacious and well equipped houses standing between fruit-laden orchards. Many new schools and medical clinics have been built. Muddy paths have been paved and wooden bridges have been replaced with solid concrete bridges. The current per-capita income is nearly 1,600 USD a year, 620 USD more than 5 years ago.

Hoang Thi Phuong of Nhon Ai commune said: “travel has become much more convenient. Roses grow along the roadsides. Local people are very happy.”

Thanks to enhanced communications to make locals aware of the benefits of the new rural development program, the call for a joint effort to build a new-style rural area in Phong Dien has spread to every person. Over the past 5 years, Phong Dien has raised more than 81 million USD for the program, and at least 25% came from private individuals and businesses.

Nguyen Van Su, Chairman of Phong Dien’s People’s Committee, said: “this is just the beginning. We’re not self-satisfied. We’re determined to hold on to the title ‘new-style rural district’. The district administration will continue to invest in upgrading or building new infrastructure and will ask the agricultural sector to show farmers how to restructure production and form production chains to increase their incomes.”

To ensure the quality and effectiveness of the program, Phong Dien will continue to improve people’s lives, promote communications, and create consensus among its residents.

In addition, the Can Tho authorities will work with Phong Dien’s leaders to review the implementation of the program in each commune and help each commune address any pending issues and maintain its achievements so far.

According to Le Van Tam, deputy chairman of the Can Tho City People’s Committee, “Can Tho has paid particular attention to Phong Dien’s strong potential for ecological tourism. We’ll create a detailed plan to turn the district into an ecological tourism destination.”

Phong Dien’s success will motivate the district to further infrastructure improvement and production restructuring.