Rural development in Vietnam is a continuous process that goes beyond infrastructure, requiring innovation, new production methods, and community transformation.
This perspective was underscored by Mr. Le Minh Hoan, vice chairman of the National Assembly and former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, at a consultation workshop in Hanoi.
Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the event sought feedback on the National Target Program for New Rural Development for the 2026–2030 period.
According to former minister Hoan, rural Vietnam cannot afford to follow outdated paths.
“If you want things you have never had, you must do things you have never done,” he said.
While past discussions on rural development focused on roads, schools, and well-built homes, the priority today must be fostering a knowledge-based countryside, enhancing rural connectivity, and building a sustainable economy.
He stressed the need to revitalize rural communities through education and knowledge-sharing while preserving traditional crafts. Promoting agricultural tourism, rural entrepreneurship, and farm-based economies would strengthen value-chain linkages and create a countryside that balances tradition and modernity.
Providing an update on the program’s progress, Ngo Truong Son, chief of the Central Coordination Office for New Rural Development, reported that by January 2025, 78% of communes had met new rural standards, nearing 97.5% of the 2021–2025 target.
At the district level, 47.2% of units had achieved recognition, a significant improvement since 2021.
Additionally, 23 provinces and cities had attained 100% compliance, with 15 also meeting district-level rural standards.
These gains, alongside other National Target Programs focused on ethnic minority and mountainous areas and sustainable poverty reduction, have helped transform rural landscapes.
Infrastructure has been modernized, and effective production models have been replicated nationwide.
The average annual rural income in 2024 reached VND56.4 million ($2,200), 1.35 times higher than in 2020, while the multidimensional poverty rate fell to 4.8% in 2023.
Access to clean water also improved, reaching 58%, up 7% from 2020.
Challenges and future goals
Despite these achievements, challenges remain. Many remote and mountainous communes still lack the infrastructure to meet rural standards, and some localities struggle to sustain progress.
Digital transformation in agriculture is slow, limiting productivity and value-added growth, while rural waste and wastewater management remain pressing environmental concerns.
Under Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW of the 13th Party Central Committee’s Fifth Plenum, Vietnam aims to achieve comprehensive and sustainable rural development linked to urbanization by 2030.
For the 2026–2030 period, the National Target Program for New Rural Development seeks to extend new rural standards to over 90% of communes, with half reaching advanced status.
At the district level, more than 70% of units are expected to meet the standards, with 35% achieving advanced status.
The overarching goal is to double or triple rural incomes by 2030 while addressing regional disparities.
To support these ambitions, several specialized programs will be implemented, including the One Commune, One Product (OCOP) Program, rural tourism development, an environmental protection and clean water initiative, a digital transformation drive to create “smart rural areas,” and a security and order improvement scheme. These initiatives aim to ensure that rural development is sustainable, modern, and integrated into the global economy.
An estimated VND89 trillion will be needed to fund rural development from 2026 to 2030.
This investment will focus on helping 1,600 communes – primarily in disadvantaged areas – meet new rural standards, supporting at least 140 districts in achieving new rural status, and sustaining progress in over 6,400 communes and 320 districts.
Additionally, innovative models such as “Happy rural communities” and “Smart rural areas” will be piloted to establish best practices for future expansion.
Mr. Cao Duc Phat, former minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and former deputy head of the Central Economic Commission, proposed a modern new rural development program in line with the 13th National Party Congress and Resolution No. 19. This framework should build on past achievements while addressing emerging challenges.
In light of rapid technological advances, climate change, and shifting labor trends, he outlined a four-pronged strategy: developing a green, digital rural economy that generates high-value jobs; preserving cultural identity while enhancing rural communities’ well-being; strengthening environmental protection and climate resilience; and upgrading rural infrastructure to accelerate urban integration.
Closing the workshop, deputy, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam reaffirmed that the 2026–2030 phase would set higher standards, making new rural development a driving force for other national programs.
The Ministry will refine the program’s framework and seek further expert input before finalizing its roadmap. (VietnamNews)