Phong Thinh commune (Thanh Chuong district) receives the Decision recognizing it as an advanced new rural commune.

Many positive aspects emerge from the new rural development program.

Located in a semi-mountainous area, far from the district center, Phong Thinh commune had a low starting point; the lives of the vast majority of people depended on agricultural production. After more than 10 years of persistently implementing the National Target Program for building new rural areas, the locality has made significant progress.

The results, recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as achieving the new rural standard in 2019 and the advanced new rural standard in 2024, demonstrate the comprehensive development of the locality through the completion of 19 general criteria regarding rural planning, synchronized investment in infrastructure: electricity, roads, schools, health stations, cultural and sports facilities, residential housing, etc.; improved quality of life for the people; and strengthened political system.

In Phong Thinh commune, the economy has diversified from purely agricultural, monoculture rice farming to commercially viable crops such as potatoes and sweet corn on paddy fields, and black olives, pomelos, grapefruits, and jackfruit in orchards and hills. Livestock farming has developed in scale and the total number of cattle, pigs, chickens, and deer has increased; five farms have been established with an income of 300-500 million VND/year/farm.

Industries and services have also developed in conjunction with labor export, with over 250 workers currently employed in other countries. The average per capita income in Phong Thinh commune in 2024 reached over 57 million VND; the poverty rate decreased to 2.54%.

At the announcement ceremony, comrades Nguyen Hong Nham – Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phong Thinh commune and Trinh Van Nha – Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thanh Chuong district, affirmed the role of unity and innovation in leadership and direction of the Party committees, government and organizations in the political system from the commune to the hamlets. They consistently implemented the "5 Đồng" (unity of heart, unity of mind, unity of strength, unity of action) and "4 Cùng" (together) principles: together discussing, together deciding, together doing, together benefiting; and launched the "1+1" movement – ​​each organization and individual is associated with a meaningful project, model, or action contributing to improving the quality of new rural criteria and advanced new rural criteria…

In particular, the locality has fostered and promoted the spirit of self-reliance, self-improvement, and collective effort among officials, Party members, and the people, contributing money, labor, land, and assets through the strict implementation of the motto: "The people know, the people discuss, the people do, the people supervise, and the people benefit."

Of the total resources of over 167 billion VND mobilized for the construction of new rural areas and advanced new rural areas in the locality, more than 97 billion VND was contributed by the people and their children living away from home. Specifically, during the four years of building advanced new rural areas (2021-2024), the people contributed more than 18 out of a total of 32 billion VND.

New opportunities for growth

Speaking at the ceremony to receive the Certificate of Recognition for achieving advanced new rural standards, Chairman of the Thanh Chuong District People's Committee Trinh Van Nha emphasized: Based on the foundation already achieved, along with a number of bridge and road projects that have just been put into use and are continuing to be invested in, and the orientation of merging Phong Thinh with other communes in the Cat Ngan area, with Phong Thinh as the center, these are the conditions that open up opportunities for the locality to continue to develop further in the future.

The Chairman of the People's Committee of Thanh Chuong district also provided guidance on several issues for the Party Committee and the government of Phong Thinh commune, focusing on promoting the application of science and technology, increasing the value of agricultural production, and linking it with the development and expansion of industries, services, and trade.

Focus on socio-cultural development; especially improving the quality of spiritual life, caring for people's health and social welfare, and enhancing the quality of comprehensive education.

Local authorities also need to focus on ensuring security and order, resolutely combating social evils, building a solid national defense and people's security posture; and building a strong political system to meet the requirements of the new situation.

At the announcement ceremony, on behalf of the Provincial People's Committee, Ms. Vo Thi Nhung – Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment – ​​presented the decision and certificate recognizing Phong Thinh commune as having achieved advanced new rural standards in 2024, along with a reward of 600 million VND in construction projects; and awarded Certificates of Merit from the Provincial People's Committee to one collective and two individuals for their outstanding achievements in building advanced new rural areas.

The People's Committee of Thanh Chuong district also awarded Certificates of Commendation to 5 collectives and 5 individuals who have achieved outstanding results in building advanced new rural areas.