Vietnam to have 60% of communes to meet new rural standards in 2020

Vietnam is expected to have 60% of its rural communes qualify as new rural areas by the end of 2020, according to a report by the programme’s coordinating office.

A new rural area in Nam Dinh province
A new rural area in Nam Dinh province

The office stated that as of the end of May, the number of communes that meet the criteria of a new rural area was 5,177, accounting for 58.2% of the total number of communes, the smallest official administrative unit in Vietnam.

126 districts and towns among a total of 664 in 45 provinces and centrally-governed cities have been recognised as having completed the new rural building programme, with nine having all of their communes meeting the criteria.

Vietnam aims to raise the number of new rural communes to at least 80% by 2025, with the average income of rural residents increasing by a multiple of 1.36 compared with 2020.

The areas which have been recognised as new rural areas during the 2016-2020 period will continue to strive to meet the higher standards contained in the programme.

Over the next five years, the programme aims to further improve rural residents’ living standards, build modern rural infrastructure aligned with urbanisation and implement climate change adaptation.

It also seeks to ensure a clean, green and safe rural environment, making the countryside become a more liveable region.