Hanoi Advances Comprehensive, and Sustainable Rural Communities

In recent years, Hanoi’s countryside has seen remarkable transformation. Besides economic growth and rising incomes, the city’s rural areas have also achieved steady progress in culture, security, and quality of life.

Hanoi aims to build a prosperous, eco-friendly, and sustainable countryside

Rising incomes

The picture of Hanoi’s rural development in 2024 is marked by an average per capita income of VND73.8 million per year, with many communes reaching VND80-90 million. This progress stems from restructuring agricultural production, promoting new economic models, and the rapid expansion of the “One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) program.

According to Mr. Ngo Van Ngon, Deputy Chief of the Hanoi Coordination Office of New Rural Development Program, the city mobilized VND86.8 trillion for the program in 2021–2024, exceeding its target of VND71.8 trillion (120.8%). Of this, VND36.7 trillion came from the city budget, VND43.8 trillion from district budgets, VND2.3 trillion from communes, and VND4 trillion from non-budgetary sources. The city has prioritized improving both material and spiritual well-being for its residents.

Hanoi has capitalized on its reputation as the “land of a thousand crafts,” home to 1,350 craft villages, including 337 recognized traditional villages. Handicrafts from Bat Trang, Van Phuc, and Phu Vinh now reach more than 40 international markets, generating significant revenue while preserving cultural heritage.

The city also leads the nation in the OCOP program with 3,317 certified products, which not only demonstrate quality but are also gaining access to global markets. In 2024, Bat Trang and Van Phuc were recognized by the World Crafts Council as official members of the World Craft Creative Cities, marking international recognition of Hanoi’s rural craftsmanship.

The most striking achievement has been poverty reduction. In 2021, Hanoi still had 4,463 poor households (0.21%). By 2023, the figure fell to 690 households (0.03%). By the end of 2024, the city had eradicated poverty entirely, one year ahead of schedule, surpassing the 2021-2025 target by 182%. Today, only 9,570 near-poor households remain, accounting for 0.77%.

Alongside economic progress, Hanoi’s rural cultural life has improved significantly. All villages and residential groups have established community charters; civilized practices in weddings, funerals, and festivals have spread widely, reducing outdated customs. Nearly all villages (99.1%) now have cultural houses, serving as community centers for social activities, neighborhood bonds, and public health.

The “All People Unite to Build Cultural Life” movement has achieved broad consensus, providing a strong foundation for cultural villages and neighborhoods, and creating momentum for socio-economic development. Currently, 95% of households maintain the “Cultural Family” title, while 95.4% of villages uphold their “Cultural Village” status.

Hanoi has also expanded rural tourism linked to craft villages, ecological farming, and cultural experiences. International visitors making pottery in Bat Trang or weaving silk in Van Phuc are now common activities, bringing Hanoi’s rural areas closer to the world.

Harmonizing urban and rural growth

Completing the city-level New Rural Development program is not the end, but the beginning of a new phase. As Hanoi shifts to a two-tier local government model, with larger communes and wards, the challenge is to build rural areas that are modern, sustainable, and harmonized with urban growth.

In the coming years, Hanoi will prioritize rural economic development through craft villages, cultural preservation, eco-tourism, experiential tourism, and infrastructure investment under the principle of “well-planned and modern.” Digital transformation will be the foundation of this model, covering smart agriculture, e-commerce, and streamlined governance.

Hanoi will also continue to replicate best practices, highlight role models, and openly address shortcomings. The key lesson is clear: New Rural Development can only be sustainable when each citizen recognizes their rights, responsibilities, and role in driving change.

Over the past decade, New Rural Development Program has fundamentally reshaped Hanoi’s suburban landscape. More importantly, it has shifted local mindsets: from traditional agriculture toward multi-sector economies linking farming with services, tourism, and trade. Rural production now emphasizes cooperation and partnerships; the economic structure is better balanced; and infrastructure in culture, healthcare, and education is steadily improving. Trust between citizens and government has grown stronger, underpinned by social solidarity.

Looking ahead, Hanoi aims to develop “model rural areas” where technology and tradition, modernity and heritage, economic growth and cultural sustainability come together. In this way, Hanoi supports Vietnam’s broader goal of turning the countryside into a living environment that is prosperous, culturally rich, environmentally friendly, and sustainable.

By Minh Ngoc, Vietnam Business Forum