• The impetus of the new rural development
  • Those who "keep the flame" of the new rural development
  • Making breakthroughs in building new rural areas and achieving sustainable poverty reduction.

Meeting standards doesn't always equate to achieving quality.

The core objective of building new rural areas is sustainable socio -economic development and improving the material and spiritual lives of the people. However, in some places, the implementation process still shows signs of chasing after achievements. Some communes are recognized as meeting the standards, but people still lack clean water for daily use, have unstable incomes, and unstable livelihoods. Some households are recognized as having escaped poverty, but in reality, their lives have not improved much.

This was also a concern of Comrade Pham Thanh Ngai, former Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and former Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau province, during his visits to the grassroots. Witnessing households still facing difficulties but being removed from the list of poor households to meet the criteria, he once reminded: "Building new rural areas must be genuine, not just chasing achievements. If people are still suffering, we must look straight at the truth to find ways to resolve the problems."

This concern serves not only as a reminder of the responsibility of officials in implementing policies but also highlights the need to re-examine the current approach to building new rural areas. Because if the focus is solely on "meeting standards" without addressing the real difficulties faced by the people, then the achieved title will hardly create lasting consensus and trust.

Small traders at Cai Keo Market (Quach Pham Commune) hope to have access to favorable loan sources and stable tax policies so that they can confidently conduct business, develop the economy, and improve their living standards.

This reality is also reflected in the slow progress of infrastructure projects. Many households living along the embankment of the Luong The Tran canal (Tan Hung hamlet, Ly Van Lam ward) have reported that the road has seriously deteriorated after more than 20 years of use. Many sections have subsided, peeled off, and are deeply flooded during high tides, making travel, schooling, and shopping difficult for residents, especially during the rainy season.

Residents reported that at a meeting with constituents in October 2025, local leaders acknowledged the situation and stated they would consider allocating funds to reinvest in the road in 2026. Therefore, they hoped the project would be implemented soon. However, to date, there has been no concrete action taken, causing residents considerable anxiety as the rainy season has begun.

It's not just a story about slow-developing roads; it's also the general sentiment of many residents in areas with prolonged planning delays. Projects stalled for years discourage people from investing in businesses, and they hesitate to repair dilapidated houses. This reality shows that building new rural areas cannot simply stop at fulfilling criteria on paper; it requires decisive implementation, responsible planning, and management closely aligned with the real lives of the people.