Around 12.35 quadrillion VND (468 billion USD) will be mobilised for new-style countryside building and poverty elimination during 2026–2035, heard a recent meeting between National Assembly Vice Chairman Le Minh Hoan and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Of the sum, about 4.93 quadrillion VND is expected to fund efforts during 2026–2030, and the other 7.42 quadrillion VND for 2031–2035. Funding will come from the central budget, local budgets, capital from national and local programmes, credit, businesses' support, and contributions by people, according to an investment policy proposed for the national target programme on new-style rural area development and sustainable poverty reduction for the 2026–2035 period.

According to the NA Vice Chairman, the programme must adopt a flexible and effective implementation mechanism to truly reach every citizen. He stressed the need for stronger coordination among ministries, sectors and, particularly, local authorities.

The programme should continue prioritising investment in infrastructure facilities and roads while also promoting and preserving cultural values and identities of each locality, especially ethnic minority communities, he said, adding that to ensure effective implementation, it is essential to boost training and capacity-building for local officials, particularly at the commune level.

In addition to recognising communes that meet all new-style countryside criteria, Hoan suggested considering rewards for those excelling in specific areas such as agro-tourism, cooperative economy development, or digital transformation, which will provide encouragement and motivation for communes.

Ngo Truong Son, head of the Central Coordination Office for New-Style Rural Area Development, stated that merging the two national target programmes on new-style rural area development and sustainable poverty reduction into one demonstrates a strong political will to streamline the apparatus, enhance state governance efficiency, integrate multi-sectoral goals, strengthen interregional and inter-level coordination, and promote the central role of the people.

According Son, the new programme provides a framework for fruitfully carry out the Politburo's important resolutions, including the ones on making breakthroughs in science - technology development, innovation, and digital transformation; international integration; law building and enforcement; and private sector development. It incorporates critical elements such as improving grassroots institutional quality, supporting rural startups, and enhancing region – market – value chain connection.

It will be carried out nationwide, spanning all 34 provinces and cities with 2,621 communes, 687 wards, 13 special zones, and every village.

Beneficiaries include poor and near-poor households, those newly escaping from poverty, and relevant individuals, communities, cooperatives, enterprises, and other organisations nationwide, with priority given to rural areas and disadvantaged communes.

The programme focuses on developing the rural economy toward higher value and sustainability by supporting the development of OCOP products, and distinctive forms of agrotourism, ecotourism, and community-based tourism linked with local and regional strengths. It will continue to promote the central role of people and businesses in new-style rural area building and sustainable poverty reduction.

Crucially, attention will be paid to strengthening inspection, supervision, and evaluation across all levels and sectors, while empowering communes and communities through transparent oversight mechanisms.

A review of new-style countryside development after July 1, 2025, for the 2026–2030 period, shows that 1,719 of 2,621 communes (65.6%) are likely to meet the 2021–2025 new rural standards, with 362 communes (21%) expected to qualify as advanced new-style rural areas, and 59 communes (3.4%) as model ones.

Regarding sustainable poverty reduction, if the 2026–2030 national multidimensional poverty standards are applied, the country’s multidimensional poverty rate is projected at 11.7%, with around 350 communes having this rate above 50%./.VNA