The Hanoi Coordination Office of the New Rural Development Program reports that many communes are working to improve criteria set for comprehensive and smart new-style rural areas.  

Phuc Tho District in Hanoi meets the new-style rural criteria. Photos: Lam Nguyen/The Hanoi Times

The adoption of the criteria for new-style rural areas has improved people's material and spiritual lives and led to the construction of a more modern and culturally rich Hanoi countryside.

As of May 16, 65 communes in the city meet the requirements for new-style rural areas, including two: Yen My and Dai Ang communes in Thanh Tri District reaching the advanced standard (8/8 fields), according to Nguyen Van Chi, Deputy Head of the office.

"While the majority of communities have met the standards in two to four of the designated areas, local governments must work to meet more criteria to achieve higher levels of success," he emphasized.

For modern rural areas

In mid-May, Bat Trang Commune (Gia Lam District) was awarded the title of "Model of New Style Rural Construction" in tourism and public security.

Taking advantage of being a famous traditional pottery village, the local authorities have focused on building an exemplary new-style rural area in tourism and public security.

In My Duc District, Phung Xa Commune was recognized last year as having completed the construction of a new-style role model rural area in terms of education and training with all kindergarten, primary, and secondary schools meeting national standards, according to Phung Xa Commune People's Committee Chairman Vu Van Chuy.

Pham Dinh Thanh, a resident of Phung Xa Commune, said that his secondary schoolchildren are always excited to go to school to study in spacious and well-equipped classrooms.

On the other hand, Thuong Tin District's Nhi Khe Commune has been recognized as an exemplary new-style rural area in 2023 in terms of health, culture, education and training thanks to its well-equipped schools and clinics.

For higher levels 

Vegetable plantation with advanced technology in the outskirts of Hanoi's Hoai Duc district.

In 2021, Dai Dong Commune became the first locality in Thach That District to be recognized as an exemplary new rural development in health and culture. The local government and people are working to improve the quality of these areas while creating role models in education and training.

Khuat Thanh Huyen, Secretary of the Dai Dong Commune Party Committee, said that in 2022 and 2023, the commune's secondary school invested VND37 billion (US$1.4 million) to build 22 more classrooms and a sports venue. More than VND60 billion (US$2.3 million) will be invested in the primary school to ensure its facilities meet the national level 2 standard.

"This year, we will apply for district and city evaluation and recognition of this area," she said.

Vu Van Chuy, Chairman of the Phung Xa Commune People's Committee, said that after completing the exemplary new rural development in education and training, the commune has targeted to develop Phung Xa into an e-commerce commune by 2024.

"Phung Xa has a flourishing weaving industry. We will use digital technology and e-commerce platforms to promote product consumption. The commune will invest in a stable, high-speed Internet infrastructure and support training in packaging, logistics, online insurance, and cashless payments," he said.

Meanwhile, Pham Huy Khoi, Chairman of the Bat Trang Commune People's Committee, said the the standardized exemplary rural area will create momentum for the commune, allowing them to meet the standards for the remaining areas and improving the certified ones such as tourism and security.

The commune will work with businesses to adopt more digital solutions to make Bat Trang a typical tourist destination of the capital, he stressed.

Ngo Van Ngon, Deputy Head of the Hanoi Coordination Office of the New Rural Development Program, said that in addition to helping the exemplary new rural localities to achieve the set targets, the city is directing communes to improve other areas to build comprehensive and smart new rural areas.