42.4 percent of communes earn new rural area status
As of the end of 2018, a total of 3,787 communes nationwide or 42.4 percent have been recognised as new-style rural areas, representing a year-on-year rise of 8.02 percent.
Residents in new-style rural areas gain access to clean water (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – As of the end of 2018, a total of 3,787 communesnationwide or 42.4 percent have been recognised as new-style rural areas,representing a year-on-year rise of 8.02 percent.
According to the National Coordination Office of the National TargetProgramme on NewRural Development, the southern province of Dong Nai has takenthe lead in this regard, with all of its 133 communes gaining the status.
Sixty one district-level localities in 30 centrally-run cities and provinceshave been recognised as new rural areas, up 18 districts from the number at theend of 2017 and surpassing the set target.
More than 322 trillion VND (13.8 billion USD) has been mobilised to carry outthe programme, including 8.7 trillion VND (374.1 million USD) sourced from theState budget, the office said. Rural residents contributed more than 18.3trillion VND to implement the programme.
Nguyen Minh Tien, head of the office, said the programme has given a faceliftto rural areas, adding that more attention has been paid to developinglarge-scale agricultural production using high technologies, new-stylecooperatives and environmental protection.
However, there remained gaps between localities and regions during theimplementation of the programme, the official said. While Ho Chi Minh City, DaNang city and Dong Nai, Nam Dinh and Ha Nam provinces have basically completedthe target of new-style rural areas and begun to work on the higher target ofmodel rural areas, some provinces, for example the northern mountainousprovinces of Dien Bien, Bac Kan and Cao Bang, still recorded low numbers ofcommunes meeting standards for new-style rural areas.
In 2019, the target is to raise the percentage of new-style rural areas to about48-50 percent of total communes. At least 10 more districts are hoped to earnthe recognition, and there will be no communes completing less than fivecriteria.
The National Target Programme on New-style Rural Area Building, initiated bythe Government in 2010, sets 19 criteria on socio-economic development,politics, and defence, aiming to boost rural regions of Vietnam.
The numberof criteria was increased to 20 in 2015.
The list of criteriaincludes the development of infrastructure, the improvement of productioncapacity, environmental protection, and the promotion of culturalvalues.-VNA
The National Target Programme on New-style Rural Area Building for 2018 has achieved its set targets three months earlier than planned, said Nguyen Minh Tien, head of the programme’s Central Coordination Office.
Viet Yen has become the first district in the northern province of Bac Giang to earn the status of a new-style rural district, in 2018, two years ahead of schedule.
An additional 15 communes in the northern port city of Hai Phong have been recognised as completing all criteria of the new-style rural area building programme so far this year, raising the total number to 89.
The programmes have brought about positive changes to rural infrastructure, comprehensively improved the material and spiritual lives of farmers, and contributed to Vietnam's economic restructuring, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.
The festival highlighted the contributions and robust development of Vietnam's revolutionary press over the past century while promoting press products and showcasing the creativity of Vietnamese journalists.
The programme on sustainable poverty reduction has achieved its annual targets for reducing the poverty rate as assigned by the National Assembly and the Government. It has fulfilled five specific objectives and five five-year goals, and met nine out of 12 indicators related to addressing basic social service shortages.
UNICEF stands ready to support the Government in implementing this important law and in continuing to invest in teachers as the cornerstone of a resilient, inclusive, and high-quality education system for all children.
PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted how Vietnam's revolutionary press has continuously evolved and strengthened over the past century, affirming its role as a sharp and vital political, cultural, and ideological weapon serving the Fatherland and the people in the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
Residents in new-style rural areas gain access to clean water (Source: VNA) 
