Muong Hung commune, Song Ma district has committed to reaching the goal this year. According to Chairman of the communal People’s Committee Cam Binh Minh, the commune has made significant progress so far, with 100% of its communal and inter-commune roads paved, 83% of village roads accessible year-round, and over 98% of agricultural land under irrigation. Additionally, 98% of households have access to a safe, reliable electricity supply, and all schools meet the required infrastructure and teaching standards. Muong Hung has also eliminated all temporary and dilapidated housing, with an average income per capita reaching 45.6 million VND (1,795 USD).

In Phu Yen district, two communes - Huy Tuong and Muong Thai - are also aiming for the new-style rural area status in 2024. As of now, both have met 15 of the 19 required criteria. However, they still need to improve in terms of planning, production organization, political system and legal access, culture, and transportation.

Dinh Thi Thu Ha, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the district People’s Committee, said the district is taking proactive steps to help these communes achieve their goals. “We are ensuring that each commune's plan is clear, practical, and aligned with local conditions. We’re also leveraging local resources and funding from national programmes to support their efforts,” she said.

For criteria that remain unmet, the district has allocated funds from the new-style rural building programme for 2023-2024 to help the communes meet them. In particular, for the production organization criterion, the district has directed specialized agencies to coordinate with the communes to review fruit tree areas and encourage cooperatives to develop membership, and form concentrated production areas for VietGAP certification. The goal is to turn Huy Tuong and Muong Thai new-style rural areas by November.

Of the nine communes set to achieve the status in 2024, Muong Hung in Song Ma and Chieng Mai in Mai Son district have already completed all 19 criteria. Meanwhile, Huy Tuong and Muong Thai in Phu Yen district, as well as Chieng Khay, Ca Nang, Nam Et, and Muong Sai in Quynh Nhai district, have satisfied between 14 and 18 criteria.

The localities are focusing on raising awareness among residents, encouraging them to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices and participate in production-consumption linkages. There is also a push for better waste management in livestock farming, with an emphasis on composting organic fertilizers to reduce environmental pollution. Local communities are being encouraged to participate in "Days for new-style rural development at grassroots-level," organizing environmental cleanups and promoting green, clean, and beautiful landscapes.

Ha Nhu Hue, Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and head of the provincial Coordination Office for the New-Style Rural Area Building Programme, highlighted the province's focus on resource allocation for the communes. "We’ve worked closely with local authorities to assess and evaluate each commune's progress," he said, adding working delegations have been dispatched to inspect the fulfilment of criteria, and help the localities resolve any shortfalls. “We are making sure that national and provincial funds are effectively used to support the programme," he stressed. So far, more than 28.5 billion VND (1.12 million USD) has been disbursed for new-style rural development initiatives.

With less than two months left in 2024, the communes are intensifying their efforts to meet the new-style rural development standards. Local authorities are continuing to promote public participation, emphasizing the role of local residents in the process. By balancing external support with community contributions, these communes aim to fulfill the criteria on schedule.