Attempting to have 80% communes reaching new rural standards in 2024

According to the Central Office for New Rural Development Coordination, over 78% of communes throughout the country already meet the requirements for new rural areas, representing an almost 5% rise compared to the end of 2022. Out of all the communes, almost 1,800 of them fulfill the requirements to be classified as improved new rural areas, which is about 900 more communes than at the end of 2022. Additionally, 340 communes meet the criteria to be considered exemplary new rural areas, which is an increase of nearly 230 communes.

A total of 280 district-level units across 58 provinces and cities have achieved the standards for new rural areas, marking an increase of over 30 districts compared to the previous year. Out of these, 3 districts have been acknowledged for meeting the requirements for enhanced new rural areas. Specifically, 22 provinces and cities have achieved a 100% rate of their communes satisfying the criterion for new rural areas, which is an increase of 4 provinces compared to the end of 2022. The Prime Minister has acknowledged the provinces of Nam Dinh, Dong Nai, Ha Nam, Hung Yen, and Hai Duong for successfully constructing new rural areas.

Although there are some positive aspects, it is important to note that there are still four provinces - Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, and Dien Bien - where less than 30% of their communes meet the criteria for new rural areas. Additionally, there are five provinces - Cao Bang, Dien Bien, Quang Binh, Khanh Hoa, and Kon Tum - where no district-level unit has been acknowledged for effectively finishing the construction of new rural areas. The objective for 2024 is to achieve an 80% compliance rate among communes across the country in meeting the requirements for new rural areas. This includes approximately 32% of communes meeting the criteria for upgraded new rural areas and exemplary new rural areas. Additionally, it is expected that at least 290 district-level units will successfully complete the construction of new rural areas.

There are presently over 12,000 OCOP (One Commune One Product) products nation wide that have been awarded 3 stars or higher. This is an increase of more than 3,200 products compared to the end of 2022. Out of the total, there are precisely 42 products that got a top rating of 5 stars. The Red River Delta area is the top contributor in the nation, representing more than 30% of the overall quantity of One Commune One Product products. The Mekong Delta area comprises around 20% of the total. The Southeast area has the lowest percentage, accounting for over 5% of the overall number of items.

Vietnam has a total of more than 6,500 organizations that are part of the OCOP program, with about one-third of them being cooperative groups. The Central Office for New Rural Development Coordination assesses that the consistent yearly growth in the quantity of OCOP goods is a notable aspect of the National Target Program for New Rural Development.

In 2023, a total of almost 7,000 billion VND from the state budget and over 2,200 billion VND from other sources were allotted to central and local ministries and sectors to construct new rural areas. Furthermore, a total of 1,000 billion VND in foreign funding was assigned to 16 provinces to invest in the grassroot healthcare system in vulnerable regions.

As of April 2024, just 12% of the public investment funds that were assigned for prior years had been distributed for implementation in 2024. The disbursement rate for public investment in the allotted funds for 2024 has reached 22% of the planned amount, while the business capital has achieved over 6% of the predicted amount.

58 out of 63 provinces and cities have implemented strategies to promote rural tourism as part of the new rural development initiative outlined in Decision 922/QD-TTg. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has approved 20 models in 20 provinces. These models primarily aim to promote the growth of agritourism, which involves linking rural tourism with agricultural production, artisan villages, cultural preservation, environmental protection, and enhancing the rural landscape.