The “Bright - Green - Clean - Beautiful” campaign has been spreading widely, contributing to the transformation of Hanoi’s rural landscape.

As the political and cultural heart of Vietnam, Hanoi is taking a leading role in advancing the national new rural development programme. One of the city’s most transformative initiatives, the “Bright - Green - Clean - Beautiful” campaign, has been widely embraced by communities, contributing to the dramatic enhancement of rural landscapes and livability.

In recent years, Hanoi’s rural development efforts have yielded remarkable results. All communes across the city have successfully met the basic national criteria for new rural areas, with many now advancing toward higher standards, including advanced and model rural classifications.

A key factor driving this success has been the far-reaching impact of the “Bright - Green - Clean - Beautiful” movement.

Street-sweeping and vacuum trucks help mechanize environmental sanitation efforts in rural Hanoi.

In Dai Dong Commune, Thach That District, local authorities have been actively implementing the "Bright - Green - Clean - Beautiful" campaign since 2022. According to Vice Chairman Kieu Cao Than, various departments and social groups have taken responsibility for managing specific stretches of village roads, engaging in activities such as planting flowers, painting murals, and maintaining cleanliness.

Efforts have led to the removal of over 300 illegal signs and advertisements, while community volunteers, particularly members of the Women’s Union, continue to play a crucial role in regular waste collection and beautification drives.

In Bat Trang Commune, Gia Lam District, the campaign has evolved into a collaborative, community-wide effort, where residents and businesses contribute resources to upgrade local infrastructure without waiting for government funding.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Trung Kien highlighted that the initiative has boosted public awareness, encouraging active participation in maintaining a cleaner, more organised, and smarter rural environment. Tasks such as street sweeping and waste collection, once solely handled by local authorities, are now enthusiastically taken up by residents, with women’s groups leading daily cleanup and planting efforts.

In Kim Quan Commune, Thach That District (Hanoi), the implementation of the “Bright - Green - Clean - Beautiful” movement has not only beautified the landscape but also improved environmental standards.

Hong Van Commune (Thuong Tin District), known for its ornamental plant village, has fully embraced the "Bright - Green - Clean - Beautiful" campaign, transforming its rural landscape. In just two years, locals have planted nearly 10km of flower-lined, tree-shaded village roads.

"Greenery and flowers not only beautify the village but also cool the air and improve public health," shared resident Nguyen Thi Thao. "If everyone contributes a little, the whole commune benefits."

The movement has also resonated with the younger generation, with youth unions actively participating in “Volunteer Saturdays” and “Green Sundays”—initiatives focused on tree planting, trash collection, and vibrant mural painting on village cultural houses.

According to Nguyen Xuan Dai, Director of Hanoi’s Department of Agriculture and Environment, all districts and towns across Hanoi have now fulfilled the basic rural development goals.

Five districts—Thanh Tri, Gia Lam, Hoai Duc, Dong Anh, and Thanh Oai—have been officially recognised as meeting the advanced rural standard. Additionally, 229 out of 382 communes have achieved advanced rural status, surpassing national targets by 40 per cent, while 109 communes have reached model rural status, exceeding the original goal by 29 communes.

Environmental criteria, historically one of the most challenging aspects of rural development, have been prioritised by local governments and communities alike. Thanks to broad-based public support, the movement has significantly accelerated progress, making these ambitious goals more attainable.

The campaign has also expanded to include activities that preserve cultural traditions and promote a civilized lifestyle in communes across Dan Phuong District (Hanoi).

As emphasised by Mr. Ngo Van Ngon, Deputy Chief of Hanoi’s New Rural Development Coordination Office, the campaign has also revitalised cultural life. Many village cultural centers have been refurbished, sports facilities installed, and public spaces created for community engagement. Some localities have even combined the campaign with eco-tourism and rural experience initiatives—bringing both aesthetic and economic value.

More than a slogan, “Bright - Green - Clean - Beautiful” has become a concrete movement rooted in collective responsibility and civic pride. It is playing a key role in fulfilling the vision laid out in the 17th Hanoi Party Congress: building a rural Hanoi that is increasingly prosperous, modern, and culturally rich—with a steadily rising quality of life for all its residents. VNS