Hanoi Recognized for Completing the Task of Building New Rural Areas by 2024

On June 22, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1226/QD-TTg, officially recognizing Hanoi as completing the task of building new rural areas (NTM) in 2024. This is an important milestone, recognizing the persistent efforts of the political system and the people of the capital for more than a decade of implementing the national target program on building new rural areas.

National conference to review the National Target Program on New Rural Construction

This recognition is based on current regulations such as Decision No. 321/QD-TTg dated March 8, 2022 on stipulating criteria and conditions for provinces and centrally run cities to complete the task of building new rural areas in the period of 2021-2025; Decision No. 125/QD-TTg dated January 15, 2025 amending a number of contents of Decision 321/QD-TTg; Decision No. 18/2022/QD-TTg dated August 2, 2022 on the order and procedures for recognition consideration; and Decision No. 03/2024/QD-TTg dated March 7, 2024 amending and supplementing a number of articles in current regulations.

Hanoi currently has 18 districts and towns in rural areas. In the process of implementing the new rural development program, the whole city has mobilized the combined strength of all levels of government, organizations and communities. With a methodical approach, clear decentralization and close supervision, Hanoi has achieved impressive results in many fields.

By the end of 2024, all 100% of Hanoi's communes have met the new rural standards according to the national criteria. Not only stopping at the standard level, many communes continue to be recognized as meeting the advanced new rural standards, even model new rural areas - showing even development, not just in form but in connection with the reality of people's lives. The socio-economic infrastructure in rural areas has been significantly improved: roads have been synchronously hardened, electricity and water systems have been upgraded, schools and medical stations have been invested in modernly, creating favorable conditions for production development and improving the quality of life.

At the same time, the income of people in rural areas of Hanoi has continuously increased. Thanks to promoting the restructuring of the agricultural sector, applying high technology and expanding rural economic models, Hanoi has created tens of thousands of new jobs, contributing to reducing the poverty rate and increasing the rate of skilled workers. The emulation movements to build new rural areas have changed people's awareness, helping them move from a passive role to actively participating in community activities and building their homeland.

A bright spot in Hanoi's journey to build a new rural area is the focus on preserving the traditional cultural identity of each locality and each village. Grassroots cultural institutions are invested in; traditional festivals are organized safely and economically, creating a positive atmosphere in the community. In addition, environmental protection is given special attention. Many localities have effectively implemented the model of collecting and sorting waste at source, treating domestic wastewater, and beautifying the landscape, contributing to building a clean and beautiful living space.

According to Decision 1226/QD-TTg, the Hanoi People's Committee is assigned the responsibility of announcing the recognition results and organizing rewards in accordance with regulations. At the same time, the city needs to continue to maintain and improve the quality of the achieved criteria, especially the criteria related to culture and environment - two core contents in ensuring the sustainability of the program.

In the coming time, Hanoi aims to gradually upgrade the communes that meet the standards to advanced and model levels. The city also clearly identifies: building new rural areas has no end point, but is a continuous process of improvement, enhancing the quality of life, developing the rural economy in a modern, sustainable and environmentally harmonious direction.

The recognition decision is not only a recognition of the results achieved but also a motivation for the city to continue promoting its role as the political and administrative center of the whole country, and at the same time a model in implementing the new rural program. Hanoi's results are also valuable lessons for other localities in the journey of comprehensive, sustainable and humane rural development.

By Minh Ngoc, Vietnam Business Forum