The “Lighting up rural roads” project was launched in HCM City’s Bình Lợi Commune on July 20 by the city Youth Union. – VNA/VNS Photo Thu Hương

HCM CITY – HCM City has effectively built new-style rural areas to improve the lives of local people and the rural landscape.

The national programme of building new-style rural areas in the city has received strong public support, demonstrated through land donations, production development, poverty reduction, cultural life improvement, and other practical activities.

Bùi Minh Thạnh, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, said: “In the process of building new-style rural areas, the city has focused on comprehensive and in-depth development, directly improving living conditions and changing the mindset and lifestyle of rural residents.”

Before the merger of the former Bình Dương and Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu provinces into the city on July 1, the three localities – HCM City, Bình Dương, and Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu – had introduced numerous plans and projects to develop production in rural areas, he said.

These initiatives helped raise residents’ incomes, establish specialised growing areas, and expand effective production models.

Many exemplary models have left a strong mark and spread widely, he said.

These models include the Cần Giờ Tương Lai Agriculture – Trade, Service, Tourism – Investment and Construction Co-operative in Bình Khánh Commune, the Goat Farming Co-operative in Hưng Long Commune, and the “Each religious site – one green area to protect the environment” model.

Community initiatives such as contests to build clean, green and environmentally friendly works, or the movement to reduce the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags in Thạnh An Commune, have raised environmental awareness in each household.

In addition, many residents have donated land for road building, helping strengthen community bonds and development.

Before the administrative merger, HCM City and Bình Dương and Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu provinces had a total of 141 new-style rural communes and 624 products recognised under the country’s “One Commune- One Product” (OCOP) programme.

HCM City is strengthening information, communication, promotion, and trade activities, connecting supply and demand for OCOP products through channels such as regional OCOP connection weeks, fairs, exhibitions, conferences, workshops, competitions, product displays and presentations.

It is promoting the sales of OCOP products at supermarkets and through e-commerce platforms like Tiki, OCOP247, and Lazada, as well as via social media such as TikTok.

It aims for the total production value of the agricultural sector to increase by 3.3 per cent this year.

In 2026-30, the city aims to build “civilised farmers, ecological agriculture, and modern rural areas.”

Alongside production development, the city focuses on improving agricultural and rural infrastructure.

It has drafted a plan for irrigation development to 2030, with a vision to 2045, which aims to reduce flooding, support agricultural production, and adapt to climate change.

Thạnh said: “The city has issued policies linking new-style rural development with urbanisation in rural areas. This contributes positively to completing rural infrastructure and climate-adaptive infrastructure.”

These policies also mobilise social resources to invest in infrastructure, social welfare, and employment, helping to reduce the urban-rural gap.

The city has taken various measures to implement the national programme on building new-style rural areas, including the movement “The whole city joins hands to build new-style rural areas.”

This movement has created a strong transformation, helping to reshape the city’s rural landscape.

HCM City’s Youth Union has actively participated in this movement, implementing various activities.

For instance, it held the activity day “Joining Hands to Build New-style Rural Areas” and the 159th Green Sunday in Bình Lợi, An Long, and Bàu Lâm communes on July 20. The event attracted over 300 members, youth, residents, and international volunteers.

Practical activities included free medical check-ups for the elderly, launching clean and green roads, inaugurating children’s playgrounds, giving gifts to children and disadvantaged families, and donating 20 computers to these communes’ public administrative service centres and community activity points.

After planting trees with fellow volunteers and seeing the green road gradually take shape, Nguyễn Duy Khang, a student from the University of Health Sciences - Vietnam National University - HCM City, felt extremely happy and proud.

This helps improve the rural landscape and sends a message about a green, civilised, and sustainable lifestyle, he said.

“We also donated more than 300 environmental books for children, along with many other practical activities to promote a positive, eco-friendly lifestyle in the community,” he said.

Trịnh Thị Hiền Trân, deputy secretary of the Youth Union, said that building new-style rural areas is a major policy of the Party and State to improve socio-economic conditions and the environment, enhancing residents’ quality of life.

With initiative, pioneering spirit, and strong ambition, the city’s young people have been actively participating in this process, she said. – VNS