Nam Dinh is one of the pioneering provinces in the new countryside construction movement. The province actively researched and launched a set of advanced and model new rural area criteria immediately after completing the first phase of the movement.
Nam Dinh province has recognized that new rural development is a resource for sustainable socioeconomic development. The Party, the government, and the people of Nam Dinh have united, consented, innovated, and mobilized the synergized force of the entire political system for new rural development. With a people-centric approach and State support policy, the new rural development program of the province has become a popular movement.
Nam Dinh was one of the first two provinces in the country to complete new rural development tasks in 2019. In September 2023, the province had 189 out of 204 communes and towns (92.65%) certified to meet advanced new rural standards, with 19 communes (10.1%) certified to meet model rural standards. Currently, six communes have completed dossiers to request recognition of model new rural development standards in 2023.
New rural development results are an important factor in promoting local sustainable socioeconomic development. Nam Dinh province’s agricultural and rural economy has undergone transformational changes and advanced to higher levels of quality and efficiency in merchandise production. The province has built 458 “large-field” models with a total area of 21,844 ha, of which 3,121 ha is contractually covered by traders. Fragmented livestock farming has been reduced in presence and scale while large-scale livestock farming has been gradually expanded. Fisheries have grown by an average of 7-8% per year, driven by a strong shift to aquaculture in place of wild fishing.
Nam Dinh province has recognized that new rural development is a resource for sustainable socioeconomic development. The Party, the government, and people of Nam Dinh have united, consented, innovated, and mobilized the synergized force of the entire political system for new rural development. With a people-centric approach and State support policy, the new rural development program of the province has become a popular movement.
Nam Dinh was one of the first two provinces in the country to complete new rural development tasks in 2019. In September 2023, the province had 189 out of 204 communes and towns (92.65%) certified to meet advanced new rural standards, with 19 communes (10.1%) certified to meet model rural standards. Currently, six communes have completed dossiers to request recognition of model new rural development standards in 2023.
New rural development results are an important factor in promoting local sustainable socioeconomic development. Nam Dinh province’s agricultural and rural economy has undergone transformational changes and advanced to higher levels of quality and efficiency in merchandise production. The province has built 458 “large-field” models with a total area of 21,844 ha, of which 3,121 ha is contractually covered by traders. Fragmented livestock farming has reduced in presence and scale while large-scale livestock farming has been gradually expanded. Fisheries have grown by an average of 7-8% per year, driven by a strong shift to aquaculture in place of wild fishing.
Nam Dinh province has made significant strides in rural development, with the per capita income of rural people in 2022 improving to VND65 million, helping narrow the urban and rural gap. The collective economy and agricultural cooperatives have developed strongly in the province, with 385 cooperatives, of which 64 agricultural cooperatives signed contracts to cover consumption for farmers. Some agricultural products have been exported directly to Europe and Japan, motivating the development of commercial agricultural production.
Tam Thanh commune (Vu Ban district) has undergone significant changes, with infrastructure upgrades, improved livelihoods, and nurtured neighborly relationships. Villagers are united to build an advanced and model new rural area, with special emphasis on upgrading the road system and beautifying the “bright - green - clean - beautiful” environmental landscape. Residents in Phu Thu Village - Tam Thanh not only donated land to expand roads but also raised money for alley expansion and upgrading as well as for construction of four village roads with a total length of 650m. The spacious village cultural house, costing over VND1 billion, includes a 120-square meter cultural house, a playground, and other facilities for cultural, artistic, and sporting activities of villagers. Tien village also mobilized its villagers to raise VND1.2 billion to build 1.3 km of a concrete road, which is 20cm thick and 6.5m wide, with many sections expanded to 9m. Not only contributing concrete for road construction, roadside households also built a drainage system to ensure environmental sanitation. An Lac village concreted more than 177m of infield roads while Du Due village continued to invest in completing the night lighting system.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Bai, Chairman of Tam Thanh People’s Committee, emphasized that people are the executors and beneficiaries of new rural development achievements. The Party Committee and the People’s Committee directed villages, agencies, and organizations to inform and mobilize people to actively participate in achieving advanced new rural development standards and model new rural development standards based on the people-centered approach. Grassroots Party cells have enhanced their leadership and upheld public democracy, openness, and transparency in infrastructure construction.
With the joint effort of the people, the Party, and the government of the commune, internal resources have been promoted, and external support has been enlisted to construct a clinic (costing nearly VND6 billion) and two infield roads (more than VND300 million). Moreover, the authorities have also sped up administrative reform, applied digital transformation, and developed the agricultural economy, industry, and trade services. At present, the share of industrial value and commercial services in the commune has increased robustly, accounting for 80% of the economic structure. The commune has 50 livestock farms, four companies, and more than 200 service households, providing a stable source of income for villagers. In 2022, the commune’s per capita income was VND62 million. The poverty rate decreased to 0.82%, and 95% of the population bought health insurance. Villagers practice good cultural lifestyle and environmental sanitation. Solid waste is collected and treated at a rate of 100%. Security and order are always stable.
Nam Dinh province has thoroughly grasped the viewpoint that “Agriculture, farmers, and rural areas have an important role and position in the cause of reform, national construction and defense; serve as a great basis and force in socioeconomic development, environmental protection, climate response, political stability, national defense, security, cultural preservation and promotion and international integration”. Nam Dinh always determines that new rural development has a starting point but has no ending point. New rural development criteria must be constantly reinforced to improve quality and ensure sustainability. The province will continue to implement many solutions to successfully achieve advanced new rural development, exemplary new rural development, and smart countryside to make Nam Dinh an increasingly prosperous, beautiful, civilized land and a livable and peaceful countryside.
By Do Ngoc, Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
October 2024
Hanoi