VND851.38 trillion (US$39 billion) was raised for the national target program on rural development in 2010-2015, says a government report just sent to National Assembly (NA) deputies.

More than VND266.78 trillion, 31.34% of the total, was sourced from the State budget, VND434.95 trillion (51%) from credit, VND42.2 trillion (4.9%) from the business community, and around VND107.45 trillion (12.62%) from the public.

The Government said the program has changed the perception of a majority of people, with many of them attracted to the development of new rural areas. They have actively taken part in rural development projects.

The infrastructure investment of such magnitude has significantly changed the face of many rural areas in the nation. The material and spiritual lives of a large number of rural people have improved. Agricultural production has been transformed, helping boost incomes of rural people.

However, the Government admitted multiple shortcomings remain to be solved. Many localities have been sitting on huge debts. By the end of January this year, 53 of the country’s 63 cities and provinces had put total debts of infrastructure projects at more than VND15.27 trillion.

As of this September, 2,061 communes, 23.1% of the nation’s total, had met new standards for rural areas. Over 47,400 kilometers of rural road meeting the technical standards of the Ministry of Transport has been constructed, up by 10,250 kilometers from 2001-2010. Nearly 103,400 kilometers of road has been upgraded, while some 27,000 bridges have been built and repaired.

Around 50,200 kilometers of canal has been reinforced. More than 28,700 irrigation works and 6,070 kilometers of embankment have been developed in rural areas.

Some 7,300 communes (82.2%) have had access to the national power grid. In upland villages which have no access to the national grid, small generators have been put in place to meet their basic electricity needs.

Educational facilities have also received due attention, especially of kindergartens and boarding schools. Children of ethnic minorities and in mountainous areas have been provided with tuition assistance and student loans.

Broadband Internet connections are now available at most post offices and cultural houses in rural areas. Some 55% of the communes have public Internet access points, while over 80% of the population has been able to use 3G phone service.

SGT