(VOVworld) – The national target program to build new rural areas has boosted the industrialization and modernization process in Vietnam’s countryside. With steady and appropriate measures, Ngu Hung commune in Thanh Mien district, Hai Duong province has changed for the better to become a highlight of the new rural development program.

Nguyen Xuan Hoang Pho, Chairman of Ngu Hung commune People's Committee introduces VOV's reporters to the newly paved road.

Ngu Hung is a farming commune in Thanh Mien district, about 80 km from Hanoi. Over the past two years, the commune has made visible changes, especially its rural infrastructure, by implementing the new rural development program. Inter-hamlet roads and lanes have been expanded and paved. Public works, including a school, clinic, cultural house, and library, have been built near beautiful ponds. The results can be attributed to the unity of the local authority and people in developing the countryside. Nguyen Xuan Hoang, Vice Chairman of Ngu Hung commune, said: “The aim of the new rural areas program is to develop the local economy and benefit the people. In the past 2 years, the authority has instructed the people to carry out new rural development activities. The commune has achieved 10 of the 19 criteria. The people were highly supportive of the plan to upgrade rural roads.”

The local authority has mobilized all resources and focused on building infrastructure. In 2012, the commune mobilized 85 households to donate nearly 600 sqm of land and 1,400 work days to upgrade and build 3.3 km of inter-hamlet roads. Pham Thi Nguyet a villager said: “My family and neighbors have responded to the State’s program of building new rural areas. In the beginning, we were hesitant. After it was explained, we understood and supported the program. My family donated land and money. We contributed 60 sqm of land for road expansion.”

Ngu Hung commune has focused on rezoning fields and upgrading inter-field roads to mechanize production. Convenient roads serve the development of the agricultural services. The commune has over 100 farms which have adopted new varieties of animals and plants to yield higher productivity. Nguyen Cong Tuc is one of them. “Previously, we grew rice but productivity was not high because the low field was easily inundated. With the support of the authorities, we changed to the production of fish, bananas, and litchis. The beginning was quite hard but now we are now making a profit. I’m happy with this model.

Ngu Hung commune is continuing to upgrade the irrigation system, develop vocational training for farmers, and improve the cultural infrastructure. The commune aims to complete all 19 new rural criteria by 2015.