Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Lê Minh Hoan speaking at the event

Attending the ceremony on behalf of central delegates were: Lê Minh Hoan, Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; Nguyễn Thị Tuyến, Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Women’s Union; Trần Đức Thắng, Member of the Party Central Committee, Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment; along with leaders and former leaders of various central committees, ministries, and sectors.

On behalf of Hanoi were: Trần Sỹ Thanh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee; Nguyễn Văn Phong, Standing Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee; Nguyễn Ngọc Tuấn, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the City People’s Council; Standing Committee members: Nguyễn Lan Hương, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi; Nguyễn Doãn Toản, Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee; Hoàng Trọng Quyết, Head of the Inspection Committee of the City Party Committee; along with leaders of the City People’s Council, People’s Committee, and various municipal departments and sectors.

15 Years of New Rural Development

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Lê Minh Hoan emphasized that if urban areas are the measure of modernity, then rural areas are the embodiment of cultural identity. A country may be as modern as many others, but it will only truly be remembered and respected if it preserves its soul—its rural identity, cultural values, and spiritual essence.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Lê Minh Hoan presented the First-Class Labor Order to the Party Committee, authorities, and people of Hanoi

Vice Chairman Lê Minh Hoan assessed that Hanoi – the millennia-old Capital – both reflects the nation’s socio-economic dynamism and preserves its cultural essence, spiritual life, and enduring values of land and people. In the NRD journey, Hanoi has implemented many practical initiatives with unique approaches, such as: the Đông Trung Model Commune linked to tourism; orientations for developing organic and ecological agriculture; campaigns like “Saturday for New Rural Development” and “Green Sunday”; and programs like “Every house has a number, every road has a name, mural and flowered streets.” Notably, the city has gathered people’s feedback to measure satisfaction.

He stressed that NRD is not only about paved roads, bright lights, modern schools, or clean medical stations, but more importantly, about new vitality—reflected in the mindset and actions of farmers and rural communities who dare to change and prosper legitimately. The NRD program is not simply infrastructure development but a comprehensive transformation of quality of life, turning rural areas into places worth living in, worth visiting, and worth returning to.

In the context of the two-tier local government model, the Vice Chairman expressed his belief that Hanoi’s Party Committee, authorities, and people will continue to promote the NRD movement in depth and sustainability, closely tied to the cultural identity of the Capital.

According to him, NRD requires new approaches: grassroots officials should not only rely on rigid documents but must also innovate based on the unique characteristics of each village and commune. Rural development spaces are not limited to production but should integrate culture, society, and community—where the capability and awareness of the people are decisive factors.

“NRD is not merely a title but a spiritual hallmark; not merely a milestone achieved, but a journey to honor those who have quietly contributed for years… Hanoi should launch a movement of ‘Every community a new initiative, every commune leader an initiative.’ That way, the rural picture of Hanoi will be diverse, vibrant, and full of emotion. Keep going to the grassroots, listening to the people, working with them, repairing with them, and dreaming with them. Let every model, initiative, craft village, and cooperative become seeds of great change,” the Vice Chairman stressed.

A Starting Point for a New Stage of Development

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Trần Sỹ Thanh stated that the city has always maintained a development orientation of being “green – harmonious – sustainable,” with rural areas as the foundation, urban areas as the driving force, heritage as the identity, culture as the core, and the people as the center. From this vision, Hanoi has quickly translated the Party and State’s policies into specific, practical, and innovative actions.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyễn Mạnh Quyền was honored to receive the Third-Class Labor Order

When the program began in 2010, Hanoi had 401 communes participating, with each commune meeting on average only one criterion. To date, after nearly 15 years of implementation, the program has become a widespread movement with strong social influence, mobilizing the strength of the entire political system and people. The rural face of the Capital has undergone fundamental and comprehensive transformation.

The Capital’s economy has grown strongly, and people’s living standards have continuously improved: the GRDP growth rate in the third quarter this year is estimated at 8.85%, much higher than the same period last year. Agricultural production value has grown over 3% annually; agricultural and forestry exports have exceeded USD 2 billion. Rural per capita income increased from VND 13 million (2010) to VND 74.3 million (2024), the highest in the country. Hanoi no longer has poor households.

Rural infrastructure has developed synchronously and modernly: 100% of commune and inter-village roads are paved or asphalted; 100% of commune medical stations meet national standards; over 95% of people have health insurance; over 96% of schools meet standards. More than 95% of households use clean water; the irrigation system ensures water supply for over 95% of agricultural land. Between 2010–2024, Hanoi mobilized over VND 185 trillion for NRD, of which the people contributed over VND 21 trillion.

On behalf of the Prime Minister, Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trần Đức Thắng presented the Certificate recognizing Hanoi’s completion of NRD tasks.

Thanks to these results, by 2024, 100% of Hanoi’s communes had met NRD standards, of which: 229 communes met advanced NRD standards (60%); 109 communes met model NRD standards (29%); all 18 districts and towns completed/achieved NRD standards (100%). Among them, 6 out of 17 districts achieved advanced NRD standards (35%). Hanoi also led the nation in the OCOP program with 3,463 products (21% nationwide), including 9 five-star products.

Chairman Trần Sỹ Thanh said that on June 22, 2025, the Prime Minister issued the Decision recognizing Hanoi’s completion of NRD tasks in 2024. On September 19, 2025, the State President signed the Decision awarding the First-Class Labor Order. “This demonstrates the sound policy of the Party and State; it is the result of solidarity, high political determination, and the collective efforts of the entire people of the Capital.

The NRD program has truly become ‘the Party’s will and the people’s hearts,’ bringing profound changes in economy, society, culture, environment, and quality of life, and laying a solid foundation for a new stage of development for the Capital,” he emphasized.

Many individuals with achievements in NRD were awarded Certificates of Merit by the Prime Minister. The Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee also awarded Certificates of Merit to collectives and individuals for their contributions to NRD

According to him, completing NRD tasks is not the end point but the starting step for a new stage of development. In the context of Hanoi restructuring administrative units under the two-tier local government model, the city continues to regard Agriculture, Farmers, and Rural Areas as a crucial foundation for development. In the coming time, Hanoi will focus on five key tasks.

These include: thoroughly implementing central policies; researching and issuing special mechanisms to improve NRD quality toward urbanization; developing sustainable, modern rural economy; restructuring agriculture; building value chains; promoting “four-party” linkages; developing ecological, organic, and circular agriculture tied to tourism; strengthening investment in education, healthcare, culture, science and technology; forming a modern, civilized farming class capable of adapting to digital transformation; focusing on environmental protection; developing green – clean – beautiful living spaces; building a Capital in harmony with nature and livable for future generations; ensuring national defense and security; consolidating grassroots political systems; and promoting people’s ownership.

Standing Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee Nguyễn Văn Phong and Chairman of the City People’s Council Nguyễn Ngọc Tuấn presented Certificates of Merit from the Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee to individuals with outstanding achievements in NRD.

“With the solid foundation already achieved, with high political determination and the people’s unity, Hanoi will continue to advance firmly on the path of building a Capital that is rich in identity – modern – civilized – happy, where development is measured not only by growth figures but also by quality of life and people’s happiness,” Chairman Trần Sỹ Thanh stressed.

Some images from the event:

By Minh Ngọc,  Vietnam Business Forum