The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang should focus on developing a comprehensive agriculture in the direction of forming rice- and fruit-growing areas in combination with the processing industry.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong made the statement while working with provincial leaders during his visit to the province on April 26.

“Agricultural development should be connected with building new rural areas and paying heed to farmers’ living standards,” he said, adding that tourism is also a strength that the province needs to promote.

In the first quarter of this year, Tien Giang province welcomed 190,000 tourists and the figure is expected to sharply increase after its successful hosting of the first Vietnamese Fruit Festival.

Chairman Trong praised Tieng Giang province’s socio-economic development achievements over the past time with its per-capita income reaching 988 USD per head per annum and the rate of poor households falling to 8.1 percent.

The 1.6 million-strong province boasts a rice output of over 1.3 million tonnes exclusive of nearly 1 million tonnes of fruit per year. Last year, the province’s competitive index jumped 12 places to 9th position among 63 cities and provinces nationwide.

On the same day, the NA leader visited Cai Lay district, a former revolutionary base, which is now home to nearly 8,000 martyrs, 3,000 wounded soldiers, nearly 400 heroic mothers and over 5,000 families who tendered services during the war.

He also visited the provincial delegation of NA deputies and presented gifts to former NA deputies./.