Maintaining the models of Exemplary residential area

An “Exemplary residential area” (ERA) is a residential model that meets established standards in infrastructure, landscape, culture, social affairs, and the environment, playing an essential role in the development of new-style rural areas (NRA) and civilized urban spaces. In recent years, Dong Nai Province has made significant progress in developing ERAs through various creative and practical approaches.

Members of the Youth Union branch of Lang Lon Hamlet, Cam My Commune, take part in cleaning a road in the exemplary residential area of Lang Lon Hamlet. Photo: B. Nguyen

During the 2026–2030 period, the programme on developing new-style rural areas is expected to undergo significant changes. Notably, localities will no longer implement the “advanced NRA” or “model NRA,” replacing them with the “modern NRA” model. However, the ERA model will continue to be maintained and expanded by localities, creating a foundation for building civilized and modern rural areas.

A livable residential community

Visiting the Exemplary Residential Area (ERA) of Lang Lon Hamlet, Cam My Commune, Dong Nai Province, many are impressed by the model roads lined with well-kept houses and solid fences, with cleanliness maintained from homes to alleyways. Roads leading deep into neighborhoods are green and vibrant, thanks to rows of trees and flowers planted along both sides of the road. Residents feel secure when traveling, as the area is equipped with a lighting system and surveillance cameras to ensure public order and safety. ERAs also emphasize the establishment of community regulations and conventions so that all residents can jointly monitor and uphold a civilized lifestyle.

Pham Thi Lien, Head of Lang Lon Hamlet, Cam My Commune, shared that in building the ERA, the locality effectively mobilized contributions from the entire community, from funding road construction to installing street lighting and security cameras. The role of residents is even more critical in maintaining ERA standards, including contributing to electricity costs for street lighting, caring for flower-lined roads, and keeping shared spaces clean and tidy. Notably, the ERA has excelled in waste separation at source; organic waste is reused to produce compost for maintaining flower beds, ornamental plants, and clean agricultural production.

In recent years, ERAs like the one in Lang Lon Hamlet have continued to be replicated across the province. These areas are uniformly developed, with clean, well-maintained road systems that reach every alley and hamlet. Flower-lined roads that are bright, green, clean, and beautiful are becoming increasingly widespread. Notably, ERAs have performed well in meeting challenging environmental criteria, including waste separation at source, transitioning to safe agricultural practices, and maintaining public order and safety. These areas also focus on developing internal rules and conventions that aim to foster cohesive residential communities with culturally rich and civilized lifestyles.

During the 2021–2025 period, not only did the number of ERAs increase rapidly across the province, but they were also continuously improved, helping transform rural villages into desirable places to live. Along with steadily improving material living standards, residents’ spiritual and cultural lives have also been cared for and enhanced. Dong Nai’s impressive achievements lie not only in building and expanding ERAs but also in sustaining and continuously refining the model, forming cohesive communities with civilized and modern ways of life.

After administrative consolidation, Dong Nai Province has 72 rural communes. In the 2026–2030 period, the province aims for 70% of communes to meet NRA standards, with at least 10% achieving modern NRA standards. The ERA model will continue to be maintained by localities, with the goal of continuously improving the material and spiritual lives of rural residents and building green, cultural, and safe living environments.

Civilized and modern rural villages

In the post–new–style rural area (NRA) phase, particularly with the implementation of the two-tier local government system, Dong Nai Province is focusing on accelerating digital transformation and applying digital technologies to develop the rural economy and build civilized, modern rural communities. To date, residents in many remote communes across the province have gained access to digital transformation applications introduced by local authorities. Specifically, residents participate in platforms such as Zalo groups for Exemplary Residential Areas, hamlets, and communes; Facebook pages used by mass organizations for communication; commune-level websites; and the Dong Nai Provincial Public Service Portal. As a result, residents are better connected with organizations and authorities, leading to more effective information dissemination and public outreach.

Nguyen Thi Thanh, Party Cell Secretary of Gia Lao Hamlet, Xuan Thanh Commune, proudly shared that the Gia Lao ERA was commended for five consecutive years of good performance. “Building an ERA is difficult, but maintaining it is even more challenging. The key is persistence in mobilization so that residents actively participate, gradually forming a civilized and modern lifestyle.” Most households in the area use smartphones. The hamlet has five main Zalo groups, including the commune police’s “Peaceful Connection” group, groups for hamlet officials and residents, and the ERA group, which allows information to be shared quickly and fosters residents’ sense of responsibility in community activities.

Currently, hamlets and communes across the province have established Community Digital Technology Teams, comprising members such as party secretaries, hamlet heads, youth, and women. In particular, these teams have leveraged the enthusiasm of tech-savvy youth members in communication and guidance, helping rural residents participate in digital transformation.

Nguyen Thanh Hau, Secretary of the Youth Union branch of Lang Lon Hamlet, Cam My Commune, shared that the cell has gathered 55 youth members who actively participate in local community activities. Most regularly, they take part in “Volunteer Saturdays” and “Green Sundays.” Each week, Youth Union members join efforts to clean and care for trees along model roads. Their sense of responsibility is strong, making them the vanguard force in local movements.

Youth also play a key role in public communication efforts on drug prevention and school violence prevention, as well as in implementing the locality’s digital transformation goals. Specifically, after office hours, the Youth Union divides into teams to visit households, where they promote and guide residents in installing and registering electronic identification accounts (VNeID). They also help promote, instruct, and support residents in installing digital transformation tools and electronic payment applications, such as digital signatures, social insurance and health insurance registration, and cashless payment services.

By Binh Nguyen - Translated by Trieu Ngan, Minho