Dong Anh Advancing Modern Rural Development

The promotion of new rural development, combined with urban transformation criteria, has quickly modernized villages in Dong Anh district, enhancing their urban living conditions.

Dong Anh district's agricultural sector is shifting toward concentrated production, establishing specialized areas to ensure quality and food safety

Beacon of new rural development

According to the Hanoi Coordination Office for New Rural Development, Dong Anh district has implemented a range of solutions aimed at sustainable poverty reduction and improving residents' quality of life. Vice Chairman of the District People's Committee Nguyen Anh Dung emphasized efforts such as constructing and repairing homes for low-income households, providing fertilizers, rice seeds and breeding livestock, and offering tuition exemptions and health insurance support for near-poor families. As a result, the district has eradicated poverty. Additionally, Dong Anh has promoted the movement "All People Unite to Build a Cultural Life," encouraging cultural, artistic and sports activities and preserving traditional arts. Consequently, 153 out of 155 villages and hamlets now meet cultural standards.

Agriculture plays an important role in the socio-economic development of Dong Anh district. To boost residents' incomes, the district invests annually between VND10-15 billion to help farmers adopt technological advancements in agricultural production. Emphasizing ecological and organic farming, the district focuses on applying scientific techniques to establish high-value cultivation and livestock models. The agricultural sector is transitioning toward concentrated production, creating specialized areas that ensure quality and food safety.

In the district, many specialized models have been developed, focusing on high technology and scientific advancements in production. Dong Anh currently maintains specialized and concentrated agricultural production areas effectively. These include 800 hectares for yellow sticky rice in Thuy Lam, Lien Ha, Duc Tu and Viet Hung communes. There are also 800 hectares for safe vegetable production in Van Noi, Tien Duong, Nam Hong, Bac Hong, Nguyen Khe, Co Loa and Tam Xa communes. Additionally, 200 hectares are dedicated to growing peach blossoms, kumquats, lilies, and ornamental flower pots in Uy No, Tien Duong, Tam Xa and Vinh Ngoc communes. Corn production spans 100 hectares in Tam Xa and Vinh Ngoc communes, while fruit-growing areas, including pink bananas and grapefruit, cover another 100 hectares in Tam Xa, Vinh Ngoc, Hai Boi and Dai Mach communes. Furthermore, Dong Anh has a high-tech model for safe vegetable and orchid production on 7.23 hectares. It also features 20 hectares of safe vegetable production following the VietGAP model and organic practices through cooperatives such as Khai Hung, Song Hong, Bac Hong RAT, Ba Chu and Hai Anh Co., ltd. The district supports 53 large-scale livestock models, investing in modern livestock barns.

The recognition of many communes meeting new rural standards reflects the achievements of the local government and residents

Investing significantly in rural development

Mr. Nguyen Anh Dung said that to achieve the goal by 2025, all of the communes will meet advanced new rural standards, and 50% will achieve the model new rural standards. In the coming period, Dong Anh will direct and guide communes to invest in and implement the missing criteria while enhancing the criteria already met. The focus will be on maintaining and improving the quality of these criteria in alignment with the advanced new rural standards and model new rural areas, in connection with urban development.

The district has adopted the motto "Easy to do first, difficult to do later," identifying communes that fully meet the conditions for completing new rural criteria. Those communes, with resources from the district and commune budgets as well as mobilized community support, will be recognized for completing new rural construction and advanced new rural status. The district has integrated its criteria into a comprehensive set for advanced rural development, comprising 12 groups of criteria and 36 specific indicators, ensuring effective use of investment resources. Additionally, the district emphasizes public awareness to encourage community participation in the New Rural Development Program. The implementation process includes close monitoring to promptly address any difficulties and obstacles, said Dung.

Mr. Tran Van Ban from Luong No village (Tien Duong commune) pointed to the park in front of his house and expressed his happiness: "This area used to be an empty lot where many families used to build barns for livestock. Wastewater from these barns flowed directly into the lake, causing significant environmental pollution. On hot days, the stench was so strong that families had to close their doors, yet the smell still lingered. Now, thanks to the New Rural Development Program, this empty lot has transformed into a playground and a space for community activities. Both mornings and afternoons, this area is bustling with community engagement."

Nguyen Ba Huy, head of Luong No village, said that Tien Duong commune has rapidly transformed from an agricultural area facing many challenges into a locality with well-developed infrastructure. The quality of life for residents has significantly improved since the implementation of the new rural development initiative.

Evaluating the progress of new rural development in Dong Anh district, Ngo Van Ngon, Deputy Chief of the Hanoi Coordination Office for New Rural Development, said that the recognition of many communes meeting new rural standards reflects the achievements of the Party Committee, government, and residents. This aims to ensure that people benefit from the policies of the Party and the State. While the communes are transitioning to wards, they remain committed to the program. The collaborative efforts of the State and the community have led to valuable results in building a new rural area.

By Nguyen Mai, Vietnam Business Forum