A youth union official from Phuc Hoa Commune (Tan Yen) guides people on how to register on the e-commerce platform. (Photo: NGUYEN MIEN)

Valuable experiences

In the 2023-2025 period, Phuc Hoa Commune, Tan Yen District is one of three localities nationwide selected to pilot the construction of an e-commerce commune model. During the implementation process, the commune encountered many difficulties because most households and individuals engaged in agricultural production lacked knowledge and skills to sell in the digital environment.

Introducing, promoting and connecting agricultural product consumption through cyberspace has not been widely implemented, mostly relying on traditional methods, direct buying and selling through agents.

In order to successfully build an e-commerce commune model, right from the time it was selected as a pilot site, the commune clearly identified its key tasks. In particular, propaganda and training work to raise awareness of digital transformation and e-commerce in new rural construction has been an area of focus.

The locality has sought support from all levels, sectors and units in the province to invest in developing infrastructure, investing in equipment for e-commerce, and expanding electronic payment solutions to farming households, thus ensuring safety, easy access, and ease of use.

Up to now, the commune has built a high-tech agricultural production model in Lan Thinh Village, bringing high economic efficiency. At the same time, in 2024, the commune will develop a digital map of agricultural products, connecting with cultural sites and large local production areas to support the promotion and trade promotion work, bringing agricultural products to cyberspace. Currently, nearly 200 booths have been registered on e-commerce platforms.

In addition to the above model, Phuc Hoa Commune has also been successful in actively transforming the crop structure, applying scientific and technical advances and high technology to improve the quality and value of products consumed in domestic and international markets.

Viet Lap Commune, Tan Yen District, has achieved the standard of a model new rural commune in culture in 2023. Not stopping there, the commune government chose Dong Sen Village to build a smart village model. During the implementation process, the appearance of the countryside has increasingly improved, the spiritual life of the people has been increasingly improved, and the rate of rich households has increased rapidly.

To achieve this result, there is guidance and support from the superior authorities and specialised agencies. The district and commune has identified villages that often face obstacles in guiding people to complete related procedures and documents and applying digital transformation to production.

Thanks to the application of technology in selling products, farmers’ agricultural products are trusted by many people. (Photo: VAN HOC)

Thanks to the efforts of the government and people, the locality has now met 4/4 cultural criteria. The cultural and sports movement has been widely deployed. To date, Viet Lap Commune has established a total of 31 art and sports clubs; all clubs have specific operating regulations. The cultural facilities are spacious. The preservation and promotion of traditional art forms are focused on.

Attention is paid to investment in traffic infrastructure, irrigation, medical and educational facilities. Political security and social order and safety are maintained. The appearance of the countryside is increasingly improving, and people's lives are increasingly improving.

According to Decision No. 72/QD-UBND of the People's Committee of Bac Giang Province, Doan Bai Commune (Hiep Hoa District) was recognised as a model new rural area in education. Next, Doan Bai Commune selected the villages of An Hoa and Giua to pilot the model of building smart new rural areas.

Identifying the people as the main subjects of the new rural area construction process, Doan Bai Commune has focused on promoting and diversifying communication work on the benefits and importance of digital transformation, helping people understand and respond to implementation.

Nguyen Van Thanh, Head of An Hoa Village, shared that the village will continue to promote and improve the criteria in building new rural areas and propagate and mobilise the whole people to join hands to build and develop our homeland.

Premises for building a model new-styled rural commune

To promote the digital economy in rural economic development, as well as the application of digital technology in new rural construction in general, the authorities of Bac Giang Province have also actively maintained the database information system on cultivation and livestock; deployed the construction of a new database on dike works, irrigation and key agricultural products and growing areas; and built a QR-Code for consuming agricultural products through online platforms and e-commerce floors.

Furthermore, the province to create a favourable investment environment to attract businesses, including telecommunications and information technology corporations, to invest in digital infrastructure and internet connection at the commune, village, and hamlet levels, as well as technology infrastructure associated with service development in the fields of: education, health, culture, tourism and e-commerce.

Localities strive to have more smart new rural models. Building smart villages plays an important role, creating a premise for implementing other criteria in building a model new rural commune. To effectively implement this model, thanks to the funding support from higher levels, localities need to continue to promote internal resources and mobilise socialised capital.

Party committees, authorities, Fatherland Front committees, departments, branches, and organisations should pay attention to guiding people to actively implement digital transformation in building new rural areas; support restructuring of crops and livestock; and apply high technology. At the same time, they should exploit the available potential and advantages to the fullest, and establish a suitable roadmap to complete the construction of smart villages on target.