Upgrading model residential areas

Dong Nai has expanded to 50 model residential areas, with both quantity and quality steadily increasing. These areas contribute to making the countryside more livable and narrowing the urban-rural gap.

One notable factor is the growing awareness among residents, especially in fulfilling challenging environmental criteria such as waste sorting at the source and maintaining clean, green, and beautiful rural environments. There has also been a shift toward safe agricultural practices.

Model rural communities

To be recognized as a model residential area, communities must meet a range of criteria, including environmental, landscape, traffic, cultural, healthcare, education, public order, and civic awareness standards. Especially important are the clean and aesthetic standards, from homes to alleys, with concrete roads and well-maintained greenery.

Notably, it is not only wealthy villages that succeed in this movement. Even areas with limited resources have shown creativity in building model residential areas.

In Xuan Phu (Xuan Loc District), a disadvantaged commune with limited water supply during the dry season, residents worked together to develop three model roads. Some contributed flower seeds, others money or labor. Local officials and mass organizations took the lead in these efforts.

According to Huynh Tan Hau, Chairman of Xuan Phu Commune People’s Committee, though the commune achieved model new rural status in 2022, meeting the updated standards is even more demanding. The commune continues to focus on upgrading model residential areas and plans to develop smart hamlets. These efforts pay particular attention to improving both material and spiritual quality of life for all 13 ethnic groups living in the area.

Model residential areas also emphasize cultural development, with facilities used effectively and no legal violations. Households live in solidarity, upholding cultural and civil values.

Expanding clean production

Beyond the "clean house, clean alley" effort, many model residential areas are shifting toward organic, safe farming to maintain a healthy rural environment.

Binh Loi (Vinh Cuu District), despite starting with limited resources, was the first commune in the province to achieve model new rural status. It now has four model residential areas.

Nguyen Thi Nga, Head of Hamlet 4 and Women’s Union leader, shared that residents there have embraced green practices—building flower-lined roads, sorting waste at the source, and composting organic waste for farming. They also run the “Green House” project, collecting recyclables to fund support for orphans and disadvantaged women.

Cam My District is another example of success, particularly in Song Ray Commune. There, model KDCs not only maintain clean surroundings but also adopt organic farming techniques. Residents sort waste, use probiotic (IMO) and MEVI yeast to compost agricultural by-products into bio-fertilizers and organic pesticides, cutting costs while producing safe food.

Model residential areas tied to safe production continue to spread across the province.

In Xuan Tay (Cam My District), Party Secretary and People’s Council Chairman Do Quang Thuy said the commune is piloting “model gardens” alongside model KDCs. These gardens fulfill environmental criteria while encouraging farmers to adopt safe, science-based production. The goal is to develop scenic, productive gardens that support eco-tourism and increase income for locals.

Binh Nguyen