Enhancing the Quality of New Rural Development Criteria

Le My, a mountainous commune in the northern region of Phu Ninh District, possesses the typical topography of Phu Tho’s midland area. More than 70% of its land consists of low hills and mounds, while the rest comprises small, narrow fields and terraced paddies along the valleys of hills and ridges. Leveraging its available land potential, the commune has focused on directing and encouraging residents to develop fruit trees, timber trees, and raw material crops, particularly those with high economic value.

Beyond traditional crops and livestock, in recent years, the commune has introduced high-yield, high-quality varieties while applying scientific and technical advances in production, animal husbandry, and processing of advantageous products such as tea processing, wood processing, and livestock farming in farm-based and household-based models. The commune has prioritized intensive farming investments, innovation, and scaling up effective production models. Notably, it has established and developed a cooperative group for pomelo cultivation with 16 members, whose pomelo products have been certified under VietGAP standards. Additionally, the Le My Livestock and Poultry Processing Cooperative, consisting of nine members, raises approximately 90,000 meat chickens annually, with the Le My Hill Chicken brand earning a 3-star OCOP certification.

As a mountainous commune with slow industrial development, Le My has shifted focus toward encouraging residents to invest in and expand commercial and service activities, ensuring the supply of essential goods for production, animal husbandry, and construction. Currently, the commune has 44 business households operating in various fields, with rapid growth in transportation services both in quantity and quality. There are now 25 transport vehicles and excavators, along with 19 water transport vessels, effectively meeting the transportation and goods circulation needs of the local community.

Implementing breakthrough measures in mobilizing investment resources for infrastructure development, in recent years, the commune has focused on mobilizing resources by leveraging support from higher authorities and local sources while encouraging residents to donate land and invest in infrastructure projects. Many completed projects have proven effective, creating a widespread impact and driving economic development.

During the 2021-2025 term, the total mobilized capital has exceeded 32 billion VND, primarily allocated to investments in the transportation system, irrigation canal repairs, renovations, and upgrades for Le My Secondary School and Primary School. Additionally, funds have been directed toward constructing, repairing, and upgrading community cultural houses and enhancing public cultural facilities. The emphasis on production development and rural infrastructure investment plays a key role in the commune’s growth, particularly under the National Target Program for New Rural Development.

Following the principle that “New Rural Development is the foundation, agricultural restructuring is fundamental, and the people are the key stakeholders,” Le My has continued to improve the quality of post-recognition criteria in a sustainable manner after being certified as a New Rural Commune in 2018. The focus has been on enhancing the effectiveness of agricultural restructuring, rural economic development, promoting digital transformation in rural development, improving environmental protection, and advancing cultural activities while preserving and promoting traditional values. Additionally, efforts have been made to promote gender equality, improve child nutrition, and enhance healthcare services for rural residents.

At the same time, the commune has worked to strengthen community capacity and shift residents' mindset toward rural economic development. Currently, all 19 criteria meet the standards set by the 2021-2025 New Rural Commune Criteria. The commune has eight residential areas, with Area 8 recognized as a model residential area in 2024. Meanwhile, Areas 1, 6, and 7 are undergoing investments and improvements to meet the model residential area standards by 2025.

Dinh Vu