As 2024 draws to a close, Hai Phong has added 53 communes meeting the advanced new rural development (NTM) standards, raising the total to 137 out of 137 communes, achieving 100%. Additionally, 56 communes reached the exemplary NTM standard, increasing the total to 104 out of 137 communes, or 76% — surpassing the plan by 12 communes. The city has completed and submitted dossiers to the central government for appraisal and recognition of four districts meeting the advanced NTM standards, and the Bach Long Vi district meeting the standard NTM criteria. These achievements mark significant progress and lay a solid foundation for Hai Phong to successfully complete the national target program on new rural development by 2025.
137/137 Communes Meet Advanced NTM Standards, 104/137 Achieve Exemplary NTM Status
This notable success is attributed not only to the proactive engagement of the entire political system but also to the strong consensus and support from all levels of the population. In 2024, the city prioritized mobilizing the largest-ever investment resources for the NTM program.
Among the total resources mobilized for the program, estimated at VND 39,616 billion, VND 3,783 billion came directly from the city’s budget. This included VND 3,738 billion in public investment for infrastructure projects such as transportation, schools, cultural houses, and health stations; VND 45 billion in operational funds supporting direction, management, communication, public satisfaction surveys, lighting system management, land use certificate adjustments, OCOP product development, VietGAP model support, and pesticide packaging collection. Additionally, VND 5,387 billion was sourced from integrated funds, VND 28,246 billion from credit capital, VND 1,000 billion from enterprise mobilization, and VND 1,200 billion from public contributions, primarily through land donations for constructing exemplary NTM infrastructure.
Alongside financial resources, the city implemented comprehensive, timely, and effective policies and mechanisms for the program. Enhanced communication and advocacy efforts have elevated the role of local residents as key stakeholders in the NTM construction process.
Residents have actively participated through concrete actions such as donating labor, money, materials, and land for rural infrastructure, while also boosting agricultural production to increase income, improve living standards, promote cultural life, protect the environment, and maintain social order and safety. In 2024 alone, over 12,500 organizations, households, and individuals donated approximately 230,000 m² of land for construction and expansion of facilities, valued at about VND 1,200 billion.
As a result, a series of socio-economic infrastructure projects have gradually transformed the rural landscape towards a civilized, modern style closely aligned with urban standards. Roads have been upgraded and asphalted with widths ranging from 3.5m to 9m, equipped with street lighting and tree planting; roads 7m and 9m wide include sidewalks. Education, healthcare, and cultural facilities have been invested in and upgraded, significantly improving education quality, healthcare services, and cultural life for rural residents.
Currently, 100% of communes in the city have achieved universal early childhood education for five-year-old children and maintained improved quality; all communes meet and maintain universal primary and lower secondary education standards at level 3, with adult literacy eradicated at level 2. All communes have learning communities rated “good” or higher.
All communes implement physical education models for students to develop fitness, skills, and endurance. Health insurance participation averages 99% across communes. All communes meet the national health criteria, have implemented electronic health management, telemedicine, and electronic medical records. All 137 communes have installed outdoor fitness equipment in public areas to meet the exercise needs of residents.
At the close of 2024, Hai Phong had 137/137 communes certified as advanced NTM, and 104/137 as exemplary NTM. Moving into 2025, the city has set three major goals for the national target program on new rural development: striving for 100% of communes (except four communes in Cat Hai district — Dong Bai, Nghia Lo, Hoang Chau, Van Phong) to essentially meet exemplary NTM criteria; four districts (Vinh Bao, Tien Lang, An Lao, Kien Thuy) to basically complete model exemplary NTM district criteria; and for the city to complete its new rural development mission.
Main Tasks
To achieve these goals, the city has identified core solutions to effectively implement key tasks. Priority is placed on advancing the construction of exemplary NTM projects in communes from 2024 onwards; maintaining, improving, and stabilizing all achieved advanced and exemplary NTM criteria, especially those related to security, environment, and production development. At the same time, procedures for recognizing exemplary NTM communes will be promptly initiated for eligible communes.
Proactive coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Central NTM Steering Office, and related ministries and agencies will ensure timely explanations, supplementation, and completion of dossiers for district recognition as advanced NTM or special NTM (for Bach Long Vi district).
Additionally, efforts will focus on meeting the criteria to fulfill the exemplary NTM district requirements. The city will study and select at least one smart NTM commune model per district. From the first quarter of 2025, Hai Phong will begin procedures to submit dossiers to the central government for appraisal and recognition of the city’s completion of the NTM program, targeting official recognition by the Prime Minister in the third quarter of 2025.