Hanoi (VNA) – Party General Secretary To Lam has called for intellectual efforts, engagement of scientists and experts, as well as global expertise to chart strategies for the development of urban and rural areas, ensuring that they meet the country’s growth requirements in the new era.
He made the call while presiding over a working session on September 17 with the Standing Board of the Government Party Committee regarding the implementation of the Party Central Committee’s Resolution No.19-NQ/TW on agriculture, farmers and rural areas and the Politburo’s Resolution No.06-NQ-TW on urban planning, construction, management, and sustainable development.
The Party chief ordered an objective and comprehensive review of the implementation of the documents as well as meticulous study of challenges arising from the administrative restructuring and organisation of the two-tier local government model. He underscored the need to study global trends in modern urban and rural development to supplement and revise the two resolutions, making them relevant to the nation’s needs.
He noted that urban growth and rural development are inseparable and strategic missions that must complement each other, adding modern urban areas drive the nation’s growth while prosperous and sustainable rural areas provide solid foundations. He also ordered early issuance and implementation of standards for administrative and urban classification, helping consolidate and build strong local governments.
According to a report from the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Policies and Strategies regarding the implementation of the documents over the past three years, Resolution No.19 has driven progress in developing eco-agriculture, modern countryside, and civilised farmers.
Agricultural production has remained stable, serving as a backbone of the economy, with the export of agro-forestry-fishery products hitting a record 62.5 billion USD in 2024 and forecast to reach up to 70 billion USD this year. Rural transformation has accelerated across multiple sectors, with economic and social infrastructure developing rapidly. Farmers have embraced their central role, actively pursuing production restructuring and applying scientific technology and digital transformation.
Yet challenges remain such as unsustainable farming practice, weak regional planning, unstable export markets, and yawning gaps in new-style rural area development between regions.
Meanwhile, Resolution No.06 has driven urban growth, with new residential areas, better infrastructure and services, and streamlined administrative procedures. Besides the project on building one million affordable housing units has shown tangible results. Average per capita urban housing space is expected to reach 31.5 square metres this year, exceeding targets. However, shortcomings persist in urban development and management, resource allocation, and regional connectivity./.
