Xuan Loc builds modern new-style rural area

Dong Nai province’s Xuan Loc commune was established through the merger of five communes and townlets, including Xuan Truong, Xuan Tho, Suoi Cat, Xuan Hiep communes and Gia Ray townlet. Among them, the four communes had previously met the model new-style rural standards with a focus on sustainable agricultural commodity development. Meanwhile, Gia Ray townlet achieved the status of a civilized urban area and is progressing toward becoming a Grade IV urban area.

Grounded on these favorable foundations, Resolution of the first Party Congress of Xuan Loc Commune for the 2025–2030 term set a vision to build a modern, comprehensive new-style rural area in all aspects.

Model road in Xuan Loc commune.

Agriculture considered as the development cornerstone

According to the report from Xuan Loc Communal People’s Committee, between 2020 and 2025, the commune prioritized investment in socio-economic infrastructure. Notably, 41 transport infrastructure projects were implemented with a total investment of about VND 258 billion. As a result, 100% of the commune-managed roads are now asphalted or concreted; 100% of households have access to electricity; and over 91.3% have access to clean water. During this period, local agricultural production reached more than VND 2.1 trillion, with an average annual growth rate of over 3.2%. The rural landscape has become increasingly modern and well-developed.

Pham Van Dao, a resident of Tho Hoa Hamlet, shared that all roads leading to the villages and hamlets have been paved with asphalt or concrete, making them spacious, clean, and convenient for residents’ daily activities and production. In particular, the commune has been expanding model roads that are well-lit, green, clean, and beautiful thanks to active participation of local community.

To achieve the goal of sustainable agricultural development, Xuan Loc commune encourages the expansion of production linkage chains, supported by policies such as partial subsidies for production materials and assistance in technical training. Products within these chains are also purchased by cooperatives and enterprises at prices higher than market rates.

Nguyen Thi Cat Tien, Party Committee Secretary and Chairwoman of the Commune People's Council, emphasized that the commune's orientation for the coming period is to build a modern new-style rural area with faster and more comprehensive development in infrastructure and agriculture. The commune plans to accelerate the adoption of scientific and technological advances in production, aiming to form specialized farming zones. It also seeks to boost income per hectare and promote the OCOP (One Commune One Product) program to build brands for local agricultural products.

Another important goal is to advise and propose that the provincial authorities implement breakthrough solutions for infrastructure and transportation connectivity to attract major enterprises and corporations. This would help drive economic growth in line with provincial and central directives, targeting double-digit growth.

Expanding effective production models

Following the merger, Xuan Loc consists of all communes that had already achieved model new-style rural status with sustainable agricultural commodity development. The goal for Xuan Loc now is to further scale up sustainable, large-scale agricultural production. The commune continues to focus on high-tech agriculture, organic farming, and integrating these sectors with eco-tourism and spiritual tourism.

Consequently, high-tech and organic agricultural production models, along with safe linkage chains, are being actively expanded across the commune.

The Xuan Truong Mango Agricultural Service Cooperative is the investor behind the project featuring the large-scale model field of Hoa Loc specialty mango production and consumption. The project spans 34 hectares of long-established mango growing area managed by experienced growers. Most cooperative members focus on off-season cultivation to supply the Tet (Lunar New Year) market, where prices are higher. The cooperative has adopted VietGAP standards and is gradually transitioning to organic farming, which has enhanced the quality and market recognition of Xuan Truong mangoes.

Nguyen Van Dung - Director of the cooperative shared that although the Hoa Loc mango variety is difficult to grow and maintain, cooperative members are skilled farmers who consistently achieve high yields and quality. Their increasingly shared commitment to building a trustworthy "clean mango" brand for Xuan Truong has become a key factor in securing profits of hundreds of millions of VND per hectare annually.

Meanwhile, the Suoi Cat Cocoa Agricultural Service Cooperative has chosen a clean cocoa farming model linked to processing and eco-tourism. Its production chain has attracted over 100 households, expanding the cocoa cultivation area to more than 100 hectares.

According to Director Truong Van My, fresh cocoa prices have steadily increased since 2024, fetching strong returns to farmers. The cooperative has also invested in deep processing, producing cocoa powder, chocolate, cocoa butter, and cocoa wine while integrating experiential tourism activities. To date, the cooperative has achieved many impressive results, such as being named among the Top 10 Excellent Asian Brands by the Asian Economic Research Institute in coordination with the Vietnam Union of Science for Business Development; and having its Xuan Loc cocoa experiential tourism product recognized as a 3-star OCOP community-based tourism product by the local authority. As a result, cooperative members now earn an income of VND 500–600 million per hectare.

By Binh Nguyen

Translated by Minh Nguyet - Thu Ha