The Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF), an umbrella group of the country’s public organisations, convened a conference in the central province of Quang Ngai on June 5 to share its experience in new rural development.

Representatives from VFF chapters in 10 central and Central Highlands provinces heard effective methods to engage rural locals in the campaign and the drive “All people are united to build cultural life in residential areas”.

Apart from a State budget allocation of over 5.2 trillion VND (247.6 million USD), localities nationwide raised more than 157.8 trillion VND (7.5 billion USD) for the cause, over 18 trillion VND (857 million USD) of which was sourced from the public, or 11.45 percent.

The VFF chapter of the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai raised about 450 billion VND (21.4 million USD) and 26,700 square metres of land to build gardens and roads, install street lights and dredge irrigational canals.

In the central province of Ha Tinh, the VFF chapter involved the public community in donations for infrastructure upgrades in schools, medical stations, cultural and sport areas and the elimination of more than 13,200 temporary shelters.

The central province of Thua Thien-Hue has raised over 315 billion VND (15 million USD), or 6.7 percent, for its rural reconstruction campaign and offered interest-free loans to farmers.

Participants also proposed solutions to existing hindrances at the event.

Building infrastructure, improving production capacity, building public works, protecting the landscape and environment and promoting local traditions and cultural identities are among the criteria on building new-style rural areas initiated by the Government in 2010.-VNA