Dong Nai sets high goals in building new rural areas.

The national criteria for new rural areas (NRA) for the 2026-2030 period have undergone many changes and are more demanding than in the previous period. This poses a significant challenge in achieving the goal of building new rural areas in 2026 and throughout the 2026-2030 period for the young city of Dong Nai.

However, many communes in Dong Nai have been striving to overcome difficulties and challenges, setting high goals and demonstrating strong determination to achieve the New Rural Area (NRA) status by 2026. The entire city has 6 localities aiming to achieve NRA status by 2026, an increase of 1 commune compared to the previously set plan.

Maintain high goals in building new rural areas.

Following the merger, Dong Nai province has 95 commune-level administrative units, including 23 wards and 72 communes. The province aims to have 5 communes meet the standards of the New Rural Area program according to the National Criteria for New Rural Areas for the period 2026-2030 by 2026. After 10 communes are upgraded to wards from April 30, 2026, in line with the goal of urbanizing Dong Nai into a city, only 62 communes will remain to implement the New Rural Area program. Among the 10 communes upgraded to wards, many have basically achieved the New Rural Area status. Therefore, these communes must make significant efforts to reach the target earlier than planned.

Officials from the Farmers' Association of Xuan Dinh commune visit a high-tech cantaloupe farm in the area. Photo: Lo Van Hop.

Based on meetings and feedback from relevant departments, agencies, and localities regarding the finalization of the list of communes striving to achieve New Rural Area standards in 2026, replacing communes that have been upgraded to wards, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dong Nai City has drafted a Decision of the City People's Committee approving the list of communes striving to achieve New Rural Area standards in 2026, comprising 6 communes: Thong Nhat, Xuan Dinh, Xuan Bac, Dinh Quan, Phu Vinh, and Cam My. Thus, if the draft is approved, in 2026, Dong Nai City aims to have 6 communes achieving New Rural Area standards, an increase of 1 commune compared to the initial target.

This presents a significant challenge because the National Criteria for New Rural Development (NRD) for the period 2026-2030 includes many newly issued indicators compared to the previous period; some indicators require a higher level of achievement. The NRD program has also undergone major qualitative changes, focusing on developing a green economy , digital transformation in agriculture, improving the environment, and enhancing the quality of life for rural people.