Creating Livable Countryside

With all 382 communes meeting new rural standards, 63 communes meeting advanced new rural standards, and 15 communes recognized as meeting model new rural standards, Hanoi has been recognized by the Government as the national leader in new rural development. The achievement of advanced new rural criteria in many communes has helped transform Hanoi’s suburban areas into livable rural communities. The rural landscape has improved noticeably, becoming more modern and civilized, while traditional cultural values continue to be preserved and promoted.

A kindergarten in a commune in suburban Hanoi

With strong political determination, flexible organization, and creative implementation, Hanoi has become a leading locality in the country for building new-style rural areas. Recently, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed a decision recognizing Hanoi for successfully completing its new rural development program. This marks an important milestone in Hanoi’s journey of more than a decade of continuous effort and also opens a new stage of development in building a modern and sustainable countryside.

Since implementing the National Target Program on New Rural Development in 2010, Hanoi has faced many challenges due to its large area, high population, and numerous remote communes with difficulties in infrastructure, production, and living conditions. After more than a decade of continuous efforts, Hanoi’s rural areas have seen significant improvements, not only in their appearance but also in the material and spiritual lives of the people.

Over the past 10 years, Hanoi has concentrated its resources on major investments in transport infrastructure, irrigation systems, electricity, schools, medical stations, and cultural institutions. Policies supporting production development and improving rural incomes have been effectively implemented. Notably, the movement “All people unite to build new rural areas and civilized urban areas” has emphasized the role of the people as the central force, fostering internal strength and broad social consensus.

Impressive figures on new rural development vividly reflect these efforts. Currently, 93.5% of rural households in Hanoi have access to domestic water from centralized clean water plants, with a target of reaching 100% by the third quarter of 2025. All communes in the city have now been recognized as meeting new rural standards. As of 2024, the average per capita income in rural areas was nearly VND75 million per year, and there are no longer any poor households. Hanoi continues to lead the country in building new rural areas.

Thanks to the advanced new rural development program, Hanoi has made significant improvements in rural socio-economic infrastructure

Ngo Van Ngon, Deputy Chief of the Hanoi Coordination Office of the New Rural Development Program said that, from the outset, the Hanoi Party Committee identified new rural development as a key political task sustained over many terms. The two programs, 02-CT/TU and 04-CT/TU, launched by the Party Committee at different stages, laid a solid foundation for the entire implementation process. Hanoi also established a city-level Steering Committee, initially led by the Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee and later by the Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, clearly demonstrating strong leadership from the highest level.

The management of the program has been carried out methodically, with regular meetings, close supervision, and especially the clear assignment of responsibilities to each department, sector, and locality. During the 2010-2020 period, the Steering Committee conducted over 55 field inspections to promptly address and resolve obstacles. In the 2021-2025 period, annual plans have been developed with clear targets and allocated resources, enabling each district and commune to take the initiative in implementation.

One of Hanoi’s most notable successes has been effectively mobilizing the strength of the people. Rather than relying on subsidies, the city focused on communication to help people clearly understand their role as the central driving force. Shifting from the perception that rural development was solely the State’s responsibility, residents gradually became proactive contributors in various forms, such as cash, land donations, goods, and labor, collectively valued at over VND20 trillion.

Hanoi not only excels in macro-level management but also places strong emphasis on training and capacity-building for grassroots cadres. The principle of leading by example and hands-on guidance is strictly followed. Each year, the city organizes hundreds of training courses for officials involved in new rural development to enhance their management, operational, and implementation skills. Hanoi has also introduced several notable pilot models, including the Women's Association for New Rural Development linked with microfinance, the model of farmers leading rural development efforts, and successful examples in land consolidation and rural infrastructure improvement.

Hanoi and the entire country are entering a new stage of development, aiming for rapid and sustainable progress in the new era of national growth. In the coming period, the city will continue to prioritize sustainable rural economic development, focusing on effectively leveraging the potential and strengths of traditional craft villages. It will also work to preserve and promote cultural heritage while linking new rural development with the growth of eco-tourism, craft village tourism, experiential tourism, and spiritual tourism. Hanoi will also continue to invest resources in building a brighter, greener, cleaner, more beautiful and modern rural infrastructure system to enhance the material and spiritual well-being of its people.

In particular, the city will continue to promote communication about exemplary models, successful experiences, and creative approaches in new rural development. It will also promptly identify and address limitations and weaknesses in localities that remain passive or ineffective. Building on the city-level successes in rural development, Hanoi will expand effective models and innovative methods, aiming for higher goals and creating modern, green, clean, and beautiful rural areas. These efforts are expected to drive balanced and harmonious development between urban and rural areas in the future, Mr. Ngo Van Ngon added.

By Bao Ngoc, Vietnam Business Forum