On May 28, 2026, the Hai Phong City People's Committee (CPC) issued Decision No. 1983/QD-UBND approving the list of commune groups for New Rural Development (NRD) implementation for the 2026–2030 period. This is a critical document that not only concretizes the National Set of Criteria for NRD in the new phase but also serves as a compass for localities to shape their development roadmaps in line with the long-term urban planning vision of the Port City.
Scientific and Practical Basis for Classification
The classification and grouping of communes are based on strict legal grounds from both central and local levels, including the National Assembly's Resolution on NRD investment and the Prime Minister’s National Set of Criteria for NRD for the 2026–2030 period. Notably, this grouping plan closely follows the Adjusted Planning of Hai Phong City for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.
According to Decision No. 51/2025/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, communes are divided into three distinct groups to apply different development criteria:
- Group 1: Includes communes adjacent to existing urban areas and oriented toward urban development; communes oriented as new urban areas; or communes that have undergone a strong economic structure shift with the agricultural sector's share falling below 10%.
- Group 2: Communes that do not belong to Group 1 or Group 3.
- Group 3: Communes in areas II and III belonging to ethnic minority and mountainous regions as determined by competent authorities.
Hai Phong’s Reality: A Focus on Urbanization
Reviews from the Department of Agriculture and Environment highlight that a typical characteristic of Hai Phong is its rapid urbanization and the absence of specific highland areas. According to the approved list, Hai Phong has 43 communes in Group 1 and 24 communes in Group 2; notably, the city has no communes in Group 3 because there are no administrative units in areas II and III of ethnic minority regions.
Among the 43 communes in Group 1, 42 are located in areas expected to form urban centers, and 9 have reached the criteria of having an agricultural share of less than 10% in their economic structure. Representative communes such as An Lao, Ke Sat, Nam Sach, Phu Thai, Mao Dien, Cam Giang, and Vinh Lai are all classified into this group with a clear urban development orientation. Meanwhile, Group 2 includes communes like Quyet Thang, Tan Minh, Tien Minh, and Nguyen Binh Khiêm, which continue to maintain sustainable new rural development criteria.
Deep Significance of Commune Grouping
The grouping of communes for the 2026–2030 period brings several core values to the city's development:
- First, optimizing investment resources: Clearly identifying which communes are about to become urban (Group 1) and which will focus on agricultural production (Group 2) helps the city allocate budgets and technical support more effectively. Instead of spreading investment thinly, Group 1 communes will be guided to implement NRD criteria associated with urban development standards, avoiding waste when infrastructure might otherwise be demolished or renovated as these areas transition to wards or special zones in the future.
- Second, promoting economic restructuring: For the 9 communes with an agricultural share below 10%, grouping helps these localities access criteria for services, industry, and smart governance sooner, moving away from purely agricultural economic models. This is entirely consistent with the city's trend toward sustainable development and modernization.
- Third, enhancing administrative management efficiency: This activity takes place as Hai Phong moves toward a two-level local government model and pushes for national digital transformation. Reviewing commune data helps finalize information systems on administrative units, effectively serving the construction of digital government and smart cities.
Assignment and Decisive Implementation Roadmap
To bring Decision No. 1983 to life, the CPC has assigned specific tasks to various units:
- Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and related Departments: Responsible for directly guiding and supporting each commune group to implement appropriate NRD criteria.
- Department of Construction: Must continuously review the list of commune-level administrative units in areas expected to become urban according to the General Planning project to 2050 to promptly advise on adjustments if changes occur.
- Commune People's Committees: Based on the approved commune group, they must develop their own NRD plans for the 2026-2030 period, ensuring practicality and alignment with local characteristics.
Parallel to this, the spirit of thrift and efficiency is emphasized. All implementation activities at the commune, ward, and special zone levels must be integrated with other national programs, such as the "National Energy Saving and Waste Prevention Day," to spread the culture of rational resource use toward sustainable prosperity.
The approval of the commune grouping list for the 2026–2030 period is a sound decision reflecting the dynamic development of Hai Phong. This serves as the "roadmap" helping localities not only achieve NRD goals but also prepare for robust urbanization, contributing to building an increasingly modern, civilized, and sustainable Hai Phong in the new era.