Thanh Trì is a shining example in Hà Nội for its achievements in environmental management within the new-style rural development programme. Photo courtesy of the Hà Nội People's Committee.

HÀ NỘI When travelling along the main roads of Thanh Trì district, Hà Nội, one can easily see the remarkable transformation of these rural areas.

The once rugged village roads have been paved with concrete or asphalt, making them clean and spacious, ponds and lakes have been renovated with secure embankments and the environment around the villages is green and clean.

Those differences were brought upon by the economic and cultural values from the new-style rural model here in Thanh Trì, despite the numerous challenges that the district faced in building them.

Thanks to the strong political will of its party committee, government and citizens, Thanh Trì district has made significant strides, making it a leading example in rural development during the 2021-2025 period.

Liên Ninh commune in Thanh Trì was recognised by Hà Nội as having completed the new-style rural model in 2023 across six areas: public security, environment, healthcare, culture, education and training and digital transformation. Today, the commune has evolved into a more prosperous, beautiful and civilised area.

In Nội Am village, a pilot site for the 'smart village' model within the new-style rural framework of both Liên Ninh commune and Thanh Trì district, a public internet system has been installed at the village’s cultural house, providing residents with convenient access to information.

In Vĩnh Trung village, Đại Áng commune (Thanh Trì district), the tailoring trade has attracted about 225 households, including 25 companies and large production facilities with between 30 to 50 workers each. The craft village produces about five million products, with average revenues of VNĐ2.5 billion (US$100,000) per large facility and VNĐ900 million ($36,400) per household.

Nguyễn Thị Tuyến, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Hà Nội Party Committee, awards the certificate recognising new-style rural communes to those in Thanh Trì district. Photo courtesy of the Hà Nội People's Committee.

To date, Thanh Trì district has completed the new-style rural development in all 15 of its communes, surpassing the targets set by the city for the 2021-2025 period. This programme has gradually reshaped the face of the localities within the district.

Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Anh, Head of the Economic Department of Thanh Trì district, said that the district focused on building a solid foundation with all communes meeting the advanced new-style rural standards. With eight optional areas, the district has closely followed the new-style rural criteria to synchronise its activities.

Đại Áng commune, Thanh Trì district (Hà Nội), invests in livestock development according to new-style rural criteria. Photo courtesy of the Hà Nội People's Committee.

Tứ Hiệp commune, Thanh Trì district (Hà Nội), is recognised for meeting the new-style rural standards in five areas, including education and training. Photo courtesy of the Hà Nội People's Committee.

According to Nguyễn Văn Hưng, Vice Chairman of Thanh Trì District People's Committee, the success stems from the decisive leadership of the Thanh Trì Party Committee, the involvement of the entire political system and, notably, the collective efforts of the people. The Party Committee of Thanh Trì identified the new-style rural development as a key and ongoing task, aiming towards upgrading the district into an urban district and the communes into wards.

Thanh Trì is the first district in Hà Nội to have a commune meeting comprehensive new-style rural standards across all eight areas. Photo courtesy of the Hà Nội People's Committee.

With the solid foundation already established, Thanh Trì district will continue to enhance the quality of its new-style rural criteria, striving to make its hometown increasingly prosperous and civilised. The district's success is not only the result of relentless efforts but also lays the groundwork for Thanh Trì to pursue higher goals in the future, transforming the district into an urban district and the communes into wards.

Ngọ Văn Ngôn, Deputy Chief of the Hà Nội New-Style Rural Development Programme Coordination Office, noted that Thanh Trì is the first district in Hà Nội to have two communes meeting the comprehensive new-style rural standards across all eight areas. It is also the only district that achieved one hundred per cent new-style rural communes within just one year (2023). VNS