Dong Nai’s effective implementation of National Target Program on New-style Rural Development

Deputy Prime Minister (Deputy PM) Ho Quoc Dung chaired a nationwide online conference on July 6 to accelerate the implementation of the National Target Program on New-style Rural Area Development, Sustainable Poverty Reduction, and Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2026–2035 period, with the first phase covering 2026–2030.

At the Dong Nai conference venue, the meeting was chaired by Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang.

The program aims for approximately 65 percent of communes nationwide to meet new-style rural standards by 2030, including about 10 percent recognized as modern new-style rural areas. The program also aims to have five provinces and cities recognized as having fulfilled their new-style rural development tasks by 2030. The State has earmarked approximately VND423 trillion for the program during the 2026–2030 period. By 2030, the program seeks to increase the average income of rural residents to 2.5–3 times the 2020 level, raise the average income of ethnic minority communities to half of the national average, reduce the nationwide multidimensional poverty rate by 1–1.5 percentage points annually, and lower the multidimensional poverty rate in ethnic minority and mountainous areas to below 10 percent.

Delegates attend the online conference at the Dong Nai venue. Photo: Binh Nguyen

The integration of the three national target programs from the previous period into one has helped establish a more unified management mechanism, reducing fragmented administration, minimizing overlaps in implementation areas, target groups, and support policies, while giving local authorities greater flexibility in coordinating and allocating resources.

However, several challenges remain. To date, implementation has largely focused on institutional reforms, organizational restructuring, and preparations for implementation plans and funding. Tangible improvements at the grassroots level have yet to become evident, while many initiatives related to infrastructure, livelihoods, income generation, poverty reduction, and the development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas are still in the planning stage or have only recently begun. Progress also varies considerably among localities.

Dong Nai views the program as a key driver of rural economic development, improving living standards, strengthening social welfare and narrowing regional development gaps, while contributing to the city's goal of achieving double-digit economic growth in the coming years.

The city has already issued its implementation plan for the 2026–2030 period, together with its 2026 action plan.

Under its targets, 100 percent of Dong Nai's communes are expected to meet new-style rural standards by 2030, with at least 10 communes achieving modern new-style rural status. In 2026, the city aims to have at least six communes officially recognized as meeting new-style rural standards.

Addressing the conference, Deputy PM Ho Quoc Dung said that following the National Assembly's adoption of Resolution No. 257/2025/QH15 on the National Target Program, it became the first program to complete all required procedures one month ahead of schedule.

He noted that the program has delivered significant achievements by improving rural and mountainous infrastructure, raising living standards, supporting livelihoods, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and addressing housing and agricultural land needs.

Specifically, the National Target Program on New-style Rural Area Development exceeded four of its seven key performance indicators, while the remaining three were largely achieved. Nationwide, more than 25,000 OCOP (One Commune, One Product) items have been developed, an achievement he described as highly commendable. Meanwhile, the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas met or exceeded six of its nine targets.

Nguyen Thi Hoang, Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai City People's Committee, reports on the city's implementation of the National Target Program at the conference. Photo: Binh Nguyen

The Deputy PM urged ministries and central agencies to intensify implementation efforts, proactively resolve obstacles and provide stronger support to local governments. He also assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to closely monitor program outputs and address shortcomings, particularly ineffective or improperly targeted disbursement of public funds.

In addition, he called for stronger inspection and supervision, with implementation outcomes, disbursement performance and the effective use of public funds serving as the primary benchmarks for evaluating the program. He also emphasized the need to step up public communication efforts, particularly among ethnic minority communities, while encouraging greater community participation in implementing the program.

By B. Nguyen - Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha