Circular No. 05/2022/TT-BNNPTNT guiding certain contents for the implementation of the National Target Program on New Rural Development for the period 2021-2025 under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for certain contents of implementing the National Target Program for Building New Rural Areas during the period of 2021-2025 within the scope of management under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development building new rural areas during the period of 2021-2025 within the scope of state management under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development State of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

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Pursuant to Decree No. 15/2017/NĐ-CP dated February 17, 2017 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Pursuant to Decree No. 27/2022/NĐ-CP dated April 19, 2022 of the Government on the regulations on management and implementation of national target programs;

Implementing Decision No. 1689/QĐ-TTg dated October 11, 2021 of the Prime Minister on promulgating the plan to implement Resolution No. 25/2021/QH15 dated July 28, 2021 of the National Assembly approving the investment policy for the National Target Program for Building New Rural Areas during the period of 2021-2025;

Implementing Decision No. 263/QĐ-TTg dated February 22, 2022 of the Prime Minister on approving the National Target Program for Building New Rural Areas during the period of 2021-2025;

At the proposal of the Director of the Central Office for Rural Area Coordination and the Head of the Legal Department;

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development issues this Circular guiding certain contents of implementing the National Target Program for Building New Rural Areas during the period of 2021-2025 within the scope of state management under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the entire rural area.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. Scope of application: This Circular guides certain contents of implementing the National Target Program for Building New Rural Areas during the period of 2021-2025 as stipulated in Decision No. 263/QĐ-TTg dated February 22, 2022 of the Prime Minister on approving the National Target Program for Building New Rural Areas during the period of 2021-2025 (hereinafter referred to as the New Rural Areas Construction Program) within the scope of state management under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on the entire rural area. The Prime Minister on approving the Target Program for New Rural Area Construction for the period 2021-2025 (hereinafter referred to as the New Rural Area Construction Program) within the scope of state management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in rural areas throughout the country.

Article 2. Applicability: This Circular applies to organizations and individuals related to the implementation of the New Rural Areas Construction Program at villages, hamlets, ấp, bản, buôn, phum, sóc (hereinafter referred to as village), commune, district, town, city of 63 provinces and centrally governed cities with communes.

Article 2. Implementation Principles

Article 2. Close integration between the New Rural Areas Construction Program and the National Target Program for Sustainable Poverty Reduction, the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas, other programs and projects being implemented in the rural area; linking with local socio-economic development plans and in line with approved rural area construction master plans.

The establishment, approval, and assignment of the implementation plan for the New Rural Areas Construction Program shall be carried out in accordance with Chapter II of Decree No. 27/2022/NĐ-CP and relevant guiding documents.

Chapter II

ORGANIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAM CONTENTS

Section 1

DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, BASICALLY INTEGRATED, ENSURINGCONNECTION BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS AND BETWEEN DIFFERENT REGIONS

Article 4. Improving and enhancing the quality of irrigation systems and disaster prevention and control at commune and district levels to ensure sustainability and adaptability to climate change.

a) Reviewing, improving mechanisms, policies, and guidelines for completing and enhancing the quality of irrigation systems; supporting key policy contents for small-scale irrigation development, field irrigation, and advanced water-saving irrigation according to Decree No. 77/2018/NĐ-CP dated May 16, 2018 of the Government;

b) Reviewing, adjusting, and supplementing irrigation content into commune general construction planning and district construction area planning;

c) Constructing new, renovating, and upgrading irrigation works in accordance with commune general construction planning and district construction area planning, creating connections between communes;

d) Investing in constructing field irrigation works linked with land consolidation, applying advanced farming methods, water-saving irrigation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions;

đ) Establishing and consolidating management organizations for irrigation works to ensure effective and sustainable operation; Mobilizing community participation, applying science and technology advancements in investment and management of irrigation works; Training and enhancing management skills for individuals and organizations involved in managing and operating irrigation works;

e) Implementing maintenance of irrigation works in accordance with regulations; conducting inventory, monitoring, and handling violations within the protected areas of irrigation works and wastewater discharge, ensuring safety and water quality in irrigation works;

g) Building some models of smart irrigation and water-saving irrigation as a basis for expansion and proposing appropriate mechanisms and policies;

h) Providing information and communication on state policies and laws regarding the management and utilization of irrigation works to raise public awareness about protecting these works, maintaining water quality, and using water efficiently;

2. Improving and enhancing the quality of disaster prevention and control systems at commune and district levels:

a) Reviewing, improving mechanisms, policies, and guiding documents for implementing the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, and the Law on Dikes in the province to ensure consistency, feasibility, and effective implementation in line with local conditions;

b) Integrating disaster prevention and control content into commune and district socio-economic development plans to meet requirements for proactive disaster prevention and control following the principle of "4 at the scene" in新农村建设；

c) Guiding, building, and updating disaster prevention and control plans, emergency response plans, and disaster prevention maps in新农村建设；

d) Preparing and maintaining regularly or having ready plans to mobilize materials, equipment, supplies for disaster prevention and control activities according to approved plans; organizing community participation in risk assessment and disaster prevention map creation;

đ) Building, repairing, and upgrading disaster prevention and control facilities and essential infrastructure to reduce disaster risks serving disaster prevention and control in新农村建设；implementing resettlement and reorganization of residents in frequently affected areas in conjunction with新农村建设；installing guidance and warning signs at high-risk points for disasters;

e) Strengthening, consolidating, training, rehearsing, and investing in equipment to enhance the capacity of disaster prevention and control teams, provincial, district, and commune-level officials, and residents to meet the needs of proactive disaster prevention and control from the grassroots level according to the principle of "4 at the scene"; building training materials, guidance, propaganda, and disaster prevention and control activities in新农村建设；

g) Reviewing, upgrading, and perfecting communication equipment to ensure timely information dissemination, guidance, and warnings to the public; promptly evacuating people and minimizing risks when disasters occur;

h) Building model projects as a basis for expansion and proposing appropriate mechanisms and policies;

i) Popularizing knowledge and skills on disaster prevention and control among the public and communities; integrating disaster prevention and control content into新农村建设activities in cultural events and communications;

k) Organizing inspections, reviews, preventing, and handling violations of laws related to the protection of disaster prevention and control facilities in新农村建设.

Article 5. Investment in building county-level agricultural product procurement-supply centers; agricultural technology centers; modern agricultural product supply systems.

Clause 1. Agricultural technology centers: Implemented in accordance with the provisions of Resolution No. 08/NQ-CP dated January 24, 2018 of the Government on the Program of Action of the Government to implement Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW dated October 25, 2017 of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee on continuing to reform the organizational structure and management, improving the quality and efficiency of operations of public service units; Decree No. 120/2020/NĐ-CP dated October 7, 2020 of the Government on the establishment, restructuring, dissolution of public service units and other relevant regulations.

Article 6. Investment in synchronous infrastructure in concentrated raw material areas linked to value chains, infrastructure in clusters of rural craft villages and rural industries.

Clause 1. Concentrated investment in synchronous infrastructure in concentrated raw material areas linked to value chains.

Point b) Consolidating, upgrading and developing production area infrastructure, including both agricultural production infrastructure and infrastructure serving the development of primary processing, processing, preservation and trade of agricultural products.

Clause 2. Investment in infrastructure for industrial clusters of rural craft villages and rural industries shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 52/2018/NĐ-CP dated April 12, 2018 of the Government on developing rural industries (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 52/2018/NĐ-CP).

Article 7. Construction and completion of centralized water supply works meeting quality standards as prescribed.

Clause 1. Investment in centralized rural clean water supply projects through socialization and public-private partnerships for flatland areas, densely populated regions with favorable socio-economic conditions; supporting investment in construction of projects for remote, mountainous, ethnic minority areas, coastal, border, island regions; accurately calculating and fully covering costs of rural clean water supply, cross-subsidizing within the investment and management of rural clean water supply projects.

Clause 2. Investment in constructing centralized rural clean water supply projects linked to sustainable exploitation and operation management after investment, in line with new rural planning and other related plans, responding to water resource degradation, natural disasters, adapting to climate change.

Clause 3. Investment in repairing, upgrading and expanding existing centralized rural clean water supply projects to meet the needs of socio-economic development; upgrading and replacing equipment and water treatment technology lines to ensure compliance with health ministry standards.

Clause 4. Investment in constructing large-scale centralized rural clean water supply projects spanning multiple communes and districts, synchronized with rural infrastructure, connected to urban water supply systems where appropriate to ensure effective and sustainable operation; prioritizing the use of water from irrigation systems, reservoirs, and dams for domestic water supply.

1. Review and develop plans to organize drainage and treat domestic wastewater, integrate them into the overall construction planning of communes and implement drainage and domestic wastewater treatment projects according to the developed plans.

2. Apply and transfer advanced technology for treating household and village-scale domestic wastewater suitable to regional conditions.

3. Pilot models for treating domestic wastewater using ecological technology, low cost, simple design, easy to construct, operate, and maintain.

4. Develop and replicate models for collecting and treating domestic wastewater at household and village scales that are appropriate to the characteristics of each locality.

5. Promote awareness and mobilize people to renovate drainage systems and apply appropriate domestic wastewater treatment models based on actual conditions, minimizing untreated wastewater discharges into the environment.

Section 2

EFFECTIVELY RESTRUCTURING THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR, DEVELOPING RURAL ECONOMY; STRONGLY IMPLEMENTING THE ONE-VILLAGE-ONE-PRODUCT PROGRAM; STRONGLY DEVELOPING RURAL INDUSTRIES AND HANDICRAFTS; DEVELOPING RURAL TOURISM; IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF COLLECTIVE ECONOMIC ORGANIZATIONS' ACTIVITIES

Article 9. Implementing restructuring of the agricultural sector and developing rural economy, small-scale industries, and services towards circular economy, ecological agriculture, leveraging advantages of terrain, climate, natural scenery, and socio-economic infrastructure

Pursuant to Decision No. 150/QD-TTg dated January 28, 2022 of the Prime Minister approving the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas for the period 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050; Decision No.255/QĐ-TTgFebruary 25, 2021 of the Prime Minister approving the Plan for Restructuring the Agricultural Sector for the period 2021-2025 and related guiding documents.

1. Developing cooperation and linkage in production and consumption of agricultural products

a) Reviewing and perfecting mechanisms and policies to promote development of cooperation and linkage in production and consumption of agricultural products;

b) Providing information and communication about state policies, laws, models, and experiences in developing production and consumption linkages of agricultural products;

c) Building pilot models as a basis for replication and proposing appropriate mechanisms and policies;

d) Training to enhance capacity, knowledge, and skills for civil servants managing state work on developing cooperation and linkage in production and consumption of agricultural products and households, groups, cooperatives, and enterprises participating in such development;

e) Organizing activities to survey, evaluate, promote trade and investment to facilitate meetings and cooperation in production and consumption of agricultural products.

a) Supporting the establishment, consolidation, and development of farmers' cooperative organizations (cooperatives, associations, commodity associations) in raw material areas;

b) Supporting the implementation of agricultural extension work and technology transfer, developing community agricultural extension models following guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

đ) Prioritizing digital transformation activities in raw material areas such as: building digital agricultural maps (land, weather, climate, crop distribution, varieties, biodiversity...); digitizing production plans, crop rotation, staggered planting schedules according to consumption and processing capacities; product traceability; environmental monitoring (soil, water...);

e) Encouraging the comprehensive application of machinery, equipment, and technology across agricultural production stages with trained human resources ensuring occupational safety, technical infrastructure, and organized agricultural production, including building and developing comprehensive mechanization projects in agriculture and regional mechanization center projects, implemented in accordance with current laws and related guiding documents;

g) Training to enhance capacity, knowledge, and skills for state management officials, enterprises, groups, cooperatives, and farmer households participating in raw material areas;

h) Providing information and communication on policies for developing raw material areas, exchange visits, experience sharing; organizing forums, seminars, handbooks, leaflets, guidance materials... for managing and developing raw material areas;

i) Organizing trade promotion, investment promotion, agricultural product fairs; connecting sales channels, developing markets for rural agricultural products; establishing a website to introduce and promote products; setting up and operating an electronic commerce portal connecting trade within raw material areas;

k) Organize conferences, seminars, inspections, and evaluations on the construction and development of effective centralized raw material areas, synchronized mechanization, enhancing processing and preservation capabilities of agricultural products along value chains linked to quality standards and raw material regions; apply high technology in modern agricultural production, adjust production structures, contributing to promoting digital transformation in agriculture.

Article 11. Effectively implement policies on investment for forest protection and development, payment policies for forest environmental services, and the Sustainable Forestry Development Program for the period 2021-2025.

1. Continue to effectively implement policies on investment for forest protection and development, payment policies for forest environmental services.

Implement the contents stipulated in Decree No. 156/2018/ND-CP dated November 16, 2018 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Forest Law; Decree No. 83/2020/ND-CP dated July 15, 2020 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 156/2018/ND-CP dated November 16, 2018; Decree No. 75/2015/ND-CP dated September 9, 2015 of the Government on policies for forest protection and development linked with sustainable poverty reduction policies and support for ethnic minorities, and related guiding documents.

2. Develop sustainable forestry for the period 2021-2025.

Implement according to the contents prescribed in Decision No. 809/QD-TTg dated July 12, 2022 of the Prime Minister approving the Sustainable Forestry Development Program for the period 2021-2025, guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and related guiding documents.

Article 12. Develop rural industries; promote salt production and processing along value chains; implement the One Commune One Product Program (OCOP).

1. Develop rural industries.

Implement according to the contents prescribed in Decree No. 52/2018/ND-CP and related implementing documents, focusing on the following contents:

a) Implement models for developing rural industries; preserve and develop traditional craft villages; prioritize building models for preserving and developing traditional craft villages linked with tourism, developing handicraft products linked with tourism and export;

b) Organize the annual Vietnam Handicraft Products Competition;

c) Establish criteria for evaluating the activities of craft villages; establish criteria and guidelines for recognizing, developing, and honoring master craftsmen and skilled workers in craft villages;

d) Organize vocational training for laborers in craft villages; build a digital map of Vietnamese craft villages; promote digital transformation in the field of rural industries; update information and databases on craft villages; raise awareness about production linked with environmental protection in craft villages; produce documentary films about the production of rural industry products; develop product designs and market promotion of rural industry products to promote rural tourism;

đ) Build an online information portal to introduce products and sell online; design product models and packaging; build brands and geographical indications for origin of goods, protect trademark rights.

2. Preserve and promote traditional craft villages in rural areas.

Implement according to the contents at Decision No. 801/QD-TTg dated July 7, 2022 approving the program for preserving and developing rural craft villages for the period 2021-2030 and related implementing documents, focusing on the following contents:

a) Review and recognize traditional craft villages: Conduct surveys, reviews, statistics, assessments, and classifications of the list of traditional craft villages that have not met recognition criteria to plan appropriate support measures for preservation and development. Accelerate the progress of establishing files and reviewing recognition of traditional craft villages that have met the criteria according to regulations to implement support under policy;

b) Restore and preserve traditional craft villages at risk of disappearing;

For those craft villages currently in decline and at risk of disappearing: Support conservation efforts; conduct investigations, identify, and develop projects to maintain households or groups of households engaged in "demonstration" activities to preserve and pass on skills and meet cultural and tourism needs.

For those craft villages facing difficulties: Support and create conditions for skilled artisans and production facilities to maintain the production of unique products serving community life and festivals, and aim to produce some high-value premium products to meet domestic consumer preferences and for export.

Collect, preserve, and innovate traditional fine and unique techniques, patterns, and designs on products, and develop advanced and modern technologies suitable for production in craft villages.

Organize vocational training, skill transmission, improve technical skills of workers, improve design models, enhance product quality, seek markets for product sales, and provide conditions for craft villages to recover and develop. Establish and maintain the operation of craft village professional organizations.

c) Support the development of recognized traditional craft villages that are operating well and have the potential to spread to other areas.

Vigorously develop traditional craft villages producing products with high economic value, cultural content, and export potential such as processed agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products, rattan and bamboo weaving, ceramics, embroidery, inlay, lacquer painting, jewelry... Encourage the spread of traditional crafts to surrounding areas and strongly support creative development of new products.

Invest and support the application of new science and technology in some production stages combined with traditional techniques without affecting the artistic and aesthetic values and traditional values of the products. Upgrade and complete environmental treatment measures and facilities.

Encourage and support large production facilities with capacity to move into industrial zones and clusters to invest in modern machinery and equipment, expand production scale, and develop products; small production facilities should link with larger ones to market their products. Establish and effectively operate craft village professional organizations.

3. Promote salt production along the value chain

Implement the provisions of Government Decree No. 40/2017/NĐ-CP dated April 5, 2017 on managing salt production and business; Decision No. 1325/QĐ-TTg dated August 31, 2020 of the Prime Minister approving the Salt Industry Development Program for the period 2021-2030, focusing on implementing the following contents:

a) Implement the construction of models and projects to restore, preserve, and develop traditional salt-producing craft villages, diversify salt-based products linked with rural tourism in localities. Specific actions to be implemented to restore, preserve, and develop the salt-making industry include:

Support the preservation and development of traditional salt production methods (sun-drying sand, scattered water evaporation) to enhance productivity, quality, and efficiency of salt production in traditional salt fields, increasing income for salt workers;

Support infrastructure for production, promote processing and trade, diversify salt-based products combined with serving good touristic activities such as visiting and experiencing salt production in salt areas and fields;

Establish cooperatives and production and business groups for salt; production and consumption chains linked with rural tourism in localities;

Train and educate laborers in the region about salt production, processing, and storage methods.

b) Invest and support the construction and expansion of models linking salt production along the value chain from production, processing to consumption; pilot models combining salt production with rural tourism and resort tourism; models applying advanced technology in clean salt production; models producing salt rich in natural minerals and micronutrients with low sodium chloride (NaCl) content beneficial to health;

c) Invest in salt production and processing machinery: Support investment in systems of equipment for salt processing, quality analysis, packaging design for medium and small salt production and processing facilities to meet market demands;

d) Support the renovation and upgrading of salt storage systems: Encourage and support organizations and individuals to invest in and upgrade salt storage systems;

đ) Develop and promote One Commune One Product (OCOP) products for salt and salt-based products characteristic of localities; salt products rich in minerals and micronutrients with low sodium chloride (NaCl) content beneficial to health, environmentally friendly, meeting market needs, serving rural tourism and health care services;

e) Support the establishment of electronic information websites, QR code registration and usage for product introduction and online sales; design product packaging; establish brands and geographical indications for salt products in localities, promoting trade of salt-based products;

Implement the contents stipulated in the Prime Minister's Decision approving the OCOP Program for the period 2021-2025, current laws, and related guiding documents. Establish the National OCOP Center to promote innovation, connect supply and demand, promote and introduce OCOP products domestically and internationally. Specifically, focus on implementing the following contents:

a) Organize production linked with developing distinctive raw material regions:

Prioritize reasonable investment in infrastructure for raw material regions based on natural advantages, cultural traditions, and production customs of rural people, especially mountainous areas and ethnic minorities, contributing to sustainable development and adaptation to climate change.

Develop OCOP products linked with building distinctive agricultural and medicinal raw material regions certified with planting area codes, oriented towards organic farming, ecological agriculture, resource conservation, nature preservation, biodiversity, food safety, traceability, maintaining rural landscapes, and environmental protection.

Strengthen sustainable linkage and traceability between OCOP product producers and raw material regions.

b) Standardize processes, standards, and develop OCOP products along the value chain, suitable to production advantages and market requirements:

Promote standardization of products according to the advantages and conditions of each locality, including: Local specialties and traditional products linked with production advantages and cultural values, particularly products from craft villages and traditional trades, rural tourism services; new products formed through the application of science and technology based on local advantages, with outstanding and distinctive quality, prioritizing: (i) Small-scale handicraft products and traditional trades created by artisans and communities, (ii) Products processed from local specialties and raw materials and indigenous knowledge, (iii) Products contributing to the preservation of traditional culture; develop a set of tools to guide the standardization of processes and product criteria participating in the Program according to the OCOP criteria.

Develop OCOP products into six groups, prioritizing agricultural, non-agricultural, distinctive, traditional, and advantageous products in each locality, focusing on enhancing internal strength (creative intellect, labor, local materials, culture...), increasing value, and linking with community development: Invest in applying science and technology, innovating and perfecting production technology, processing, preservation, and product manufacturing processes to improve productivity and quality of OCOP products; produce according to advanced quality management procedures, forming characteristic, high-quality, safe food, environmentally friendly OCOP products that meet market requirements; establish models for developing raw material regions linked with OCOP products along the value chain; build models for agricultural and rural tourism experience services linked with distinctive OCOP products by region, area, and ethnic group.

Upgrade and perfect OCOP products that have been evaluated and ranked (reaching three stars or higher) in line with domestic market demand and export needs. Establish standards and test, develop green OCOP products following a circular economy approach linked with export markets based on unique advantages of natural conditions, economic and social characteristics of each region.

c) Enhance the capacity and effectiveness of OCOP subjects' operations:

Organize training and capacity building for OCOP subjects on community capacity and cooperative spirit; innovate production organization forms and management skills; innovate and create new products; manage quality and food safety; design packaging, labeling, and product appearance skills; intellectual property rights, traceability along the value chain, and enhance the use and exploitation of community brands for rural products.

Support improving the efficiency of cooperative activities, small and medium enterprises linked with the OCOP product value chain.

Strengthen trade promotion activities and supply-demand connections for OCOP products through trade fairs, exhibitions, events honoring, promoting, and introducing distinctive annual OCOP products tied to national, regional, local, and international cultures; promote consumption of OCOP products linked with key tourist markets.

Build and manage the OCOP Vietnam brand effectively; strengthen protection of intellectual property rights, enhance image, recognition, and value of OCOP products in the market.

Test and expand OCOP retail model points; OCOP streets; distribution systems for OCOP products via transportation means; trade promotion models on digital platforms (OCOP e-commerce villages, virtual reality OCOP trade fairs and exhibitions); modern OCOP introduction centers applying information technology, linked with exploiting rural tourism advantages.

Build a suitable distribution system, gradually establishing a separate and distinctive OCOP product introduction and sales system linked with gift and specialty local products.

Build a system for promoting and advertising OCOP products in international markets; improve logistics system capabilities in OCOP product trade; establish and implement a promotional program for national OCOP products' branding, recognition, and promotion.

Build the National OCOP Center as a space for promoting, introducing, developing products, connecting supply-demand, and the national OCOP product market.

Strengthen international cooperation activities in promotion, introduction, and trade facilitation to develop OCOP products in foreign markets.

Organize annual evaluations and rankings of OCOP products, intensify the application of digital technology in organizing evaluations and rankings of OCOP products.

Build and implement management and supervision activities for OCOP products to enhance quality, value, and promote supply-demand connections for OCOP products.

Establish regulations and strengthen inspection and supervision activities on the implementation of policies and regulations regarding product evaluation and ranking at local levels, maintaining production conditions of subjects and product quality after evaluation and recognition.

Study and build technical standards for monitoring and evaluating OCOP products.

Test and build appropriate implementation pathways for socialized mechanisms in monitoring, evaluating, and ranking OCOP products.

e) Enhance the capacity of the system supporting the implementation of the Program:

Manage and operate activities of regional and provincial creative design and product development centers under the OCOP Program's start-up, promotion, introduction, and product trade programs across the country, aiming to attract participation from subjects and link with tourism.

Establish criteria, enhance capacity, and organize management and supervision of advisory networks to form professional, experienced, capable, united, and consistent advisory networks for implementing the OCOP Program nationwide.

Enhance the capacity of vocational training institutions linked with the OCOP Program; design, creativity, and product development centers; adjust and supplement vocational training regulations (program framework, training content, age for apprenticeship...) linked with OCOP products; strengthen the capacity of agricultural officials at local levels (agricultural extension, industrial promotion).

Promote women and youth entrepreneurship movements, cooperative start-ups linked with OCOP product development.

g) Strengthen digital transformation:

Promote the application of information technology and digital transformation in communication; build product files and manage data for OCOP products, digitize the process of receiving applications, scoring, and ranking products; digitize products and build a traceability system along the OCOP product value chain; aim to form a national database system for the OCOP Program.

Promote e-commerce for OCOP products through online marketplaces, online sales channels (online stores), live-streamed sales, especially for small-scale products, regional specialties, and local products.

Implementing the initiative "Each farmer is a trader" to optimize the application of digital technology in production and trade of OCOP products.

Article 13. Enhancing the effectiveness of production organization forms

Support agricultural cooperatives applying high-tech to link in value chains; promote the implementation of insurance in agriculture.

1. Enhancing the effectiveness of production organization forms

a) Implement the provisions stipulated in Decree No. 193/2013/ND-CP dated November 21, 2013 of the Government detailing certain articles of the Law on Cooperatives; Decree No. 107/2017/ND-CP dated September 15, 2017 amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 193/2013/ND-CP dated November 21, 2013 of the Government detailing certain articles of the Law on Cooperatives; Decision No. 1804/QD-TTg dated November 13, 2020 of the Prime Minister approving the Project for selecting, perfecting, and expanding effective new cooperative models in localities nationwide during the period 2021-2025 and related guiding documents;

c) Support the construction and expansion of exemplary agricultural cooperative models;

d) Support the construction and implementation of digital transformation programs in agricultural cooperatives, prioritizing agricultural cooperatives applying high-tech in production and product consumption;

đ) Support quality certification, brand building, trademark establishment, production logs, traceability of product origins; crop area codes; creation of QR Codes for product labels and packaging;

e) Support agricultural cooperatives participating in OCOP products; agricultural cooperatives collaborating with businesses in production linkage tied to market outlets for agricultural products; support young college and postgraduate graduates working at cooperatives;

g) Enhance organizational and management capacity; knowledge about markets; intellectual property rights and the value of intellectual property for cooperatives as well as the direct management team at the local level;

Organize propaganda, training, and reinforcement of the Party's policies and state laws regarding production organization forms and cooperatives; support innovation in training methods for cooperative management staff towards practical training, emphasizing the dissemination of experiences from domestic effective cooperative models;

2. Promote the implementation of insurance in agriculture

Implement the policy supporting agricultural insurance as prescribed in Decree No. 58/2018/ND-CP dated April 18, 2018 of the Government and the Prime Minister's Decision on the policy supporting agricultural insurance for the period 2022-2025, focusing on the following contents:

a) Organize communication activities to raise public awareness and societal understanding of risk management in agriculture and the benefits of agricultural insurance;

b) Organize training to enhance the capacity of state management agencies in the agriculture sector regarding the procedures and tasks of the agriculture sector in implementing the agricultural insurance policy as detailed in Circular No. 09/TT-BNNPTNT dated July 24, 2020 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guiding the confirmation of natural disasters and epidemics in the implementation of the agricultural insurance support policy; for enterprises, cooperatives, and farmers regarding compliance with technical procedures and risk management in production when participating in agricultural insurance in localities;

c) Develop and compile materials and publications on agricultural insurance for production raw material regions;

d) Coordinate in building and expanding agricultural insurance models linked to the implementation of new rural construction: Direct, assess needs, supervise the implementation of agricultural insurance; coordinate in evaluating the overall implementation of agricultural insurance; study and learn experiences; prioritize the implementation of solutions linking commercial agricultural insurance with credit in agricultural raw material regions; enhance the capacity of people, cooperatives participating in models to organize and manage production to meet requirements when participating in agricultural insurance.

Article 14. Development of the market and promotion of agricultural trade

Enhance the effectiveness of connection systems and promotion activities for agricultural product consumption; diversify distribution channels to ensure sustainability against natural disasters and epidemics, with priority given to developing e-commerce.

1. Trade information and publicity

a) Collecting information and statistical data on agricultural products both domestically and internationally;

b) Maintaining and regularly updating the electronic information website of the lead unit to serve state management of agricultural trade promotion; providing domestic and international agricultural market information and related regulations;

c) Organizing the production of specialized market news programs through publications, CDs, DVDs for broadcasting on television, media outlets, and other dissemination methods;

d) Surveying, researching, analyzing, and synthesizing information requirements regarding market standards to advise on the development of agricultural products and markets;

đ) Cooperating with international experts and media organizations to build content and reports in newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and online platforms (Internet) to promote Vietnamese agricultural products in international markets.

2. Organizing short-term training courses to enhance the capacity and skills of officials, civil servants, employees involved in market development and agricultural trade promotion in agencies, units, organizations, and individuals.

3. Participating in domestic and international conferences, seminars, forums to introduce, connect trading, and promote the consumption of agricultural products.

4. Organizing and participating in trade fairs, exhibitions, market days, and special product weeks for regional specialties, key products, potential products, OCOP products, organic products both domestically and internationally.

5. Conducting market surveys and evaluations, resolving technical and trade barriers, and opening export markets for agricultural products in various countries.

6. Other tasks related to developing e-commerce to serve market development and agricultural trade promotion.

Implementation shall be carried out according to the contents stipulated in the Prime Minister's Decision approving the Science and Technology Program for New Rural Areas Construction from 2021 to 2025, current laws, and relevant guiding documents. Among these, focus on implementing the following contents:

1. Research and propose solutions to improve and innovate mechanisms and policies, enhancing the effectiveness of the National Target Program for New Rural Areas Construction

a) Improving mechanisms and policies for sustainable new rural area construction linked to urbanization, international integration, and the implementation of sustainable development goals, establishing national criteria for new rural areas for subsequent stages; researching innovative monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for program implementation;

b) Improving support mechanisms and policies for new rural area construction towards integrating local programs and projects with the National Target Program for New Rural Areas Construction to unify support mechanisms and policies, ensuring efficient implementation of program contents, improving investment efficiency, avoiding duplication and waste of resources;

c) Promoting socialization and public-private partnerships in investment, development, management, and exploitation of environmental protection works, rural infrastructure, and commercial infrastructure serving agricultural production and sustainable rural development;

d) Leveraging the role of authorities, enhancing the capacity of cadres at all levels (especially grassroots level) in implementing the New Rural Areas Program; solutions to leverage the main subject role of farmers and communities; solutions to raise awareness and shift mindsets of cadres and farmers about new rural area construction; solutions to develop and promote the role of social organizations in new rural area construction, preserving cultural identity and protecting the environment towards sustainable development goals combined with green growth;

2. Research and propose solutions to develop rural economy and build sustainable rural areas

a) Developing agricultural and rural economies:

Applying digital technology in supporting rural governance; socializing information technology in community management, connecting villages, cooperatives, better meeting community service needs in rural residents;

Developing circular economy, reducing emissions suitable for each industry, profession, and region;

Promoting the development of farm models, sharing economy models, cooperative economic models, production and business linkages along value chains;

Developing ecological agriculture models, smart villages with appropriate rural services towards sustainable development, green growth, and climate change adaptation solutions in midland and northern mountainous regions, central coastal regions, Central Highlands, and the Mekong Delta;

Developing non-agricultural economies in rural areas, promoting rural-urban connections, solutions to narrow the gap between rural and urban areas and among regions;

b) Building villages and communes that meet water security, adapt to climate change, prevent natural disasters, and ensure sustainable agricultural and rural development;

c) Preserving and promoting cultural values and landscape architecture in new rural area construction suitable for each region and linked to urbanization processes;

d) Applying scientific and technological advances in developing sustainable rural infrastructure suitable for natural conditions, cultural characteristics, and socio-economic features of each region;

đ) Improving education quality; solutions for community health care and disease prevention.

e) Protecting the rural environment in the trend of industrialization, modernization, and urbanization; focusing on waste collection and treatment, plastic waste, domestic wastewater, and craft villages;

g) Developing commercial infrastructure, supporting industries, and logistics services to serve commodity agricultural production, enhancing the application of quality certifications in agricultural production and trade;

3. Building new rural models based on applying scientific and technological solutions to develop the economy and society;

a) Cooperation and linkage models applying advanced technologies, high-tech agriculture, precision agriculture, new materials; applying comprehensive mechanization and modernizing irrigation work to develop production, processing, and value addition of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products towards safety, organic, and ecological development;

b) Digital technology application models in production, trade of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products, and rural management;

c) Eco-village and smart village models meeting water security requirements and adapting to climate change, preventing natural disasters, ensuring sustainable rural and agricultural development;

d) Sustainable resource exploitation and biodiversity development models; developing forest economies; planting and protecting forests; developing circular economies in agriculture;

đ) Landscape construction and rural environmental protection models;

e) Socialized models and public-private partnership models in rural infrastructure investment, management, operation, and environmental protection;

4. Implementing communication activities to raise social awareness and promote scientific and technological achievements serving the construction of new rural areas;

Publishing books, documents, publications (paper and electronic versions) about transferred processes and technologies; organizational and management models, and applications of science and technology in production, which are products of projects under the Science and Technology Program for New Rural Area Construction from 2021 to 2025, to disseminate and expand the program's results;

Conducting communication activities to popularize scientific and technical knowledge through central and local mass media to enhance social awareness and promote scientific and technological achievements serving the construction of new rural areas;

Implementing according to the contents stipulated in the Prime Minister's Decision approving the Rural Tourism Development Program in New Rural Area Construction from 2021 to 2025, current laws, and related guiding documents. Among these, focus on implementing the following contents:

1. Upgrading and investing in the development of rural tourism sites in conjunction with the implementation of criteria for new rural area construction;

a) Directing, arranging, and organizing territorial space for tourist areas and rural tourism sites in accordance with tourism development potential and ensuring connectivity with key regional and local tourist routes;

b) Designing and renovating architectural landscapes and environments throughout the entire tourist site space, preserving traditional identity while ensuring hygiene conditions, convenience, and ecology; saving investment through the use of local materials that are environmentally friendly;

c) Constructing and completing synchronized infrastructure (transportation, electricity and clean water systems, healthcare infrastructure, restrooms, parking lots, signage systems, digital infrastructure and telecommunications connections, waste and wastewater collection and treatment...) at tourist sites, suitable for tourists' needs, harmonizing with the spatial and landscape characteristics of the region;

d) Planning and building exhibition, introduction, and sales points (agricultural products, OCOP products, traditional craft village products, souvenirs, etc.) achieving quality standards to serve tourists;

đ) Improving the quality of organization and management of tourist destinations (tourist management, accommodation management, tourism business management; ensuring security, order, food safety, and rural tourism environmental protection, etc.);

e) Building and developing service infrastructure (rest stops, local specialty product display points, dining and refreshment facilities, sanitation, etc.) along transportation routes connected to tourist sites at reasonable intervals;

2. Developing distinctive rural tourism products by region;

a) Concentrating on developing high-quality, diverse, unique tourism products linked to regional characteristics, offering experiential value and high added value, aligned with market trends and the needs of different types of tourists (international, domestic; by age group, etc.). Diversifying products, emphasizing the development of competitive new products that keep up with tourist trends and preferences;

b) Supporting the upgrading and completion of accommodation facilities and service structures to ensure service quality and minimize environmental impact;

c) Supporting the preservation, restoration, and development of traditional craft villages, cuisine, costumes, agricultural activities, cultural performance forms; developing artisans; restoring production models and traditional specialties to serve tourists through practical experiences; preserving and promoting cultural spaces, historical and revolutionary relics;

d) Building and digitizing information and explanatory materials about cultural and historical sites, eco-tourism spots, and traditional craft villages, linked to rural tourism;

3. Developing high-quality human resources for rural tourism;

a) Enhancing the quality of grassroots officials in managing and developing rural tourism activities;

b) Establishing training programs and organizing vocational training for rural residents linked to tourism investment directions and tourism business operations so they can have alternative livelihoods beyond agriculture and rural trades;

c) Strengthening the professional skills, vocational skills, soft skills, and tourism knowledge for individuals and communities involved in rural tourism activities, building a professional, friendly, safe, and civilized tourism culture.

d) Professionalize the provision, inspection, and control of quality tourism services and the management of rural tourist sites.

4. Communication and Promotion of Rural Tourism

a) Develop and implement programs to promote and support the development of rural tourism products based on the advantages of agricultural production activities, local cultural characteristics, and ecological features; build, develop, and position the brand of rural tourist destinations;

b) Strengthen research and construction of tools, methods, and content for promoting rural tourism that are suitable for various types of tourism and target tourists; apply information technology and multimedia communication for the promotion of rural tourist sites and rural tourism products, access to tourism markets, and connect with target customers;

c) Focus on supporting and strengthening business linkages in rural tourism between newly developed rural communes and counties with tourism potential and travel companies to market rural tourism products to domestic and international tourists.

Develop pilot models for rural tourism development in various forms such as community tourism, agricultural tourism, eco-tourism, nature conservation tourism, craft village tourism, smart village tourism, and zero-emission tourism. Prioritize models with distinctive tourism products for each region that have economic effectiveness; aim to enhance awareness and responsibility of all stakeholders in the tourism value chain (managers, travel companies, communities, and tourists) in preserving and promoting cultural values and protecting the environment; utilize local materials and labor; apply digital transformation solutions; mobilize the participation of women, the poor, ethnic minorities, and vulnerable groups to improve the livelihoods and incomes of the people.

Section 3

IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY; PRESERVE AND BUILD A RURAL SCENE THAT IS BRIGHT, GREEN, CLEAN, BEAUTIFUL, AND SAFE

Implement regulations on the collection, recycling, and reuse of various types of waste; collect and treat packaging of plant protection chemicals and veterinary drugs after use; manage plastic waste in agricultural, forestry, and fisheries activities as stipulated in the following documents: Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP dated January 10, 2022 detailing certain provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection; Directive No. 33/CT-TTg dated August 20, 2020 of the Prime Minister on strengthening management, reuse, recycling, treatment, and reduction of plastic waste; Directive No. 41/CT-TTg dated December 1, 2020 of the Prime Minister on urgent measures to strengthen solid waste management; Circular No. 12/2021/TT-BNNPTNT dated October 26, 2021 guiding the collection and treatment of livestock waste and agricultural by-products for reuse; Circular No. 19/2019/TT-BNNPTNT dated November 15, 2019 specifying the collection, treatment, and use of crop residues; Joint Circular No. 05/2016/TTLT-BNNPTNT-BTNMT dated May 16, 2016 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment guiding the collection, transportation, and treatment of used plant protection chemical packaging; Decision No. 687/QĐ-BNN-TCTS dated February 5, 2021 approving the "Action Plan for Marine Plastic Waste Management in the Fisheries Sector for the 2020-2030 period" and related guidance documents. the Prime Minister on strengthening management, reuse, recycling, treatment, and reduction of plastic waste; Directive No. 41/CT-TTg dated December 1, 2020 of the Prime Minister on urgent measures to strengthen solid waste management; Circular No. 12/2021/TT-BNNPTNT dated October 26, 2021 guiding the collection and treatment of livestock waste and agricultural by-products for reuse; Circular No. 19/2019/TT-BNNPTNT dated November 15, 2019 specifying the collection, treatment, and use of crop residues; Joint Circular No. 05/2016/TTLT-BNNPTNT-BTNMT dated May 16, 2016 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment guiding the collection, transportation, and treatment of used plant protection chemical packaging; Decision No. 687/QĐ-BNN-TCTS dated February 5, 2021 approving the "Action Plan for Marine Plastic Waste Management in the Fisheries Sector for the 2020-2030 period" and related guidance documents.

Article 18. Developing rural greenery; maintaining and constructing landscapes; building model residential areas

1. Develop plans for maintaining and constructing rural landscapes that are consistent with architectural requirements for rural areas as stipulated by the Law on Architecture and local regulations on architectural management for rural settlements.

2. Maintain and construct living spaces and cultural spaces that are suitable to natural conditions, living habits, and traditional customs of ethnic communities within the area.

3. Plant scattered trees (wooden trees) in places where conditions permit (along transportation routes, offices, schools, public facilities, etc.), in accordance with the provisions set out in point c, Clause I, Article 1 of Decision No. 524/QD-TTg dated April 1, 2021 of the Prime Minister approving the Plan to plant one billion trees during the period 2021-2025.

4. Plant flowers, ornamental plants, and other types of greenery in places where conditions permit and are suitable to the distinctive ecological characteristics of each locality.

5. Establish and expand models of villages and hamlets that are bright, green, clean, beautiful, and safe (with lighting systems along roads; ensuring environmental hygiene conditions; meeting the three cleanliness standards; green fences; cool, clean, and beautiful landscapes; spaces appropriate to local cultural traditions).

6. Construct model residential areas according to at least one of the most prominent fields (production, education, culture, community tourism, environmental landscape, security and public order) reflecting the distinctive values of the locality.

7. Construct and renovate ecological ponds and lakes within residential areas; for existing ponds and lakes in the locality, they must be regularly dredged, insecticides applied to eliminate disease-carrying insects, and water changed (if contaminated).

Article 19. Ensuring Environmental Sanitation at Livestock Breeding and Aquaculture Facilities

1. Ensuring environmental sanitation at livestock breeding facilities

a) Requirements for animal shelters: Arrange disinfection pits for people entering and exiting the livestock breeding area, antiseptic substances must be replenished or replaced daily; regularly clean, disinfect, and sterilize animal shelters and surrounding areas; collect and treat waste, ensuring that drainage from animal shelters to waste treatment areas is enclosed.

b) Requirements for feed, drinking water, and sanitation in livestock breeding: Use feed with clear origins, not spoiled, moldy, or past its expiration date, ensuring quality and safety; water used for livestock breeding must comply with QCVN 01 - 39: 2011/BNNPTNT dated May 6, 2011 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; clean feeding and watering troughs daily. Equipment, tools, and means serving livestock breeding must be disinfected and sterilized regularly.

c) Requirements for treating livestock waste: Follow the provisions set forth in Article 5 of Circular No. 12/2021/TT-BNN&PTNT dated October 26, 2021 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guiding the collection and treatment of livestock waste for reuse for other purposes.

Carry out the contents stipulated in the Prime Minister's Decision approving the Program to Strengthen Environmental Protection, Food Safety, and Rural Clean Water Supply in New Rural Area Construction for the period 2021-2025; Decision No. 1384/QĐ-BNN-QLCL dated April 15, 2022 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approving the Project to Ensure Food Safety and Improve Quality of Agricultural, Forestry, and Aquatic Products for the period 2021-2030; and related guiding documents. Among which, focus on implementing the following contents:

1. Rural clean water supply

a) Review, adjust, and update the rural clean water supply content in the rural planning, ensuring sustainable rural domestic water supply, adaptable to climate change and water resource degradation;

b) Support investment in some models of clean water supply in special areas, water-scarce and difficult areas (drought-prone, water-scarce, saline intrusion, flood-prone, inundation-prone, remote mountainous, coastal fringe, border, island areas);

c) Repair, upgrade, expand centralized clean water supply facilities that already exist (with a focus on upgrading water quality treatment technology, increasing capacity, expanding distribution networks, stabilizing water sources under the impact of natural disasters and climate change);

d) Build and pilot some models of household or group household safe water collection, treatment, and storage, and household clean water supply models adaptable to climate change for residents in special areas without access to centralized water supply, water-scarce, and difficult areas.

2. Solid waste from households

a) Provide technical support, equipment, and biological products to implement household solid waste sorting; build and implement models of household solid waste sorting, collection suitable for different population densities and post-sorting waste utilization purposes;

b) Organize comprehensive and effective waste collection networks; form and complete appropriate collection methods for each locality; plan and invest in infrastructure for waste collection points and transfer stations; equip public areas with waste storage facilities ensuring convenience, environmental friendliness, and aesthetics;

c) Build, implement, and complete market linkage models for the recovery, production, and consumption of recycled and reusable products from waste;

d) Support investment in building models of household waste treatment at district or inter-district scale, applying appropriate technology to meet environmental technical standards in each province and centrally administered city.

3. Domestic wastewater

a) Review, develop plans for organizing drainage and treating domestic wastewater, integrate them into the rural construction planning of communes, and implement drainage and domestic wastewater treatment projects according to the developed plans;

b) Develop and replicate models of rural domestic wastewater collection and treatment suitable for each locality's characteristics;

c) Pilot some models of rural domestic wastewater collection and treatment using eco-friendly technology, low-cost; and models of charging for domestic wastewater treatment in rural residential areas.

4. Agricultural waste and by-products

a) Develop and replicate models of livestock waste and agricultural by-product treatment towards circular waste management for agricultural production and other purposes;

b) Models providing and exchanging livestock waste to form a waste exchange market or transfer to organic fertilizer producers;

c) Develop and replicate models of managing plastic waste in agricultural production.

5. Packaging of plant protection chemicals

a) Invest in equipment, tools, means for collecting, storing, and transporting used packaging of plant protection chemicals, ensuring they do not spread into the environment;

b) Perfect technology and build pilot models applying technology to process used packaging of plant protection chemicals into general waste;

c) Perfect and replicate models of managing used packaging of plant protection chemicals suitable for local conditions.

6. Rural craft village environmental protection

a) Support investment, upgrade, build, and operate systems for collecting and treating wastewater and solid waste suitable for traditional craft villages' environmental protection requirements, focusing on groups of craft villages processing foodstuffs, animal husbandry, slaughterhouses, silk reeling, weaving, dyeing, leather processing;

b) Support building models to address pollution and improve the environment in severely polluted craft villages; treat pollution in areas where craft villages have been relocated due to severe pollution.

7. Rural landscape environment

a) Build, approve, and implement district-level programs to improve the quality and landscape of surface water in public areas; organize monitoring of the quality of ponds and lakes in rural residential areas; improve the landscape and restore water quality when it is polluted;

b) Support building and replicating multi-functional landscape improvement models; enhance tree planting in public areas and along traffic routes; link landscape development with rural tourism and grassroots cultural life development.

8. Food safety of agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products

a) Communes and districts reaching the advanced new rural area standard must have approved organic agriculture production projects;

a) Gradually eliminate unsanitary toilets, end open defecation, prioritize safe sanitation for women and vulnerable groups, ensure sanitation access for persons with disabilities; mobilize and encourage support for poor and near-poor households to construct and use sanitary toilets;

b) Improve, disseminate, and promote simple sanitary toilet models that respond to natural disasters and climate change, suitable to local customs and people's affordability; pilot multi-functional toilet models at some schools, community centers, and government offices.

Section 4

PROMOTE THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION PROCESS IN NEW RURAL AREAS, BUILD SMART NEW RURAL AREAS

Implement according to the contents stipulated in the Decision of

1. Propaganda and raising awareness about digital transformation in building new rural areas

a) Vigorously carry out propaganda work, raise awareness, and shift mindsets regarding digital transformation in building new rural areas for party committees, authorities, cadres, and community residents;

b) Diversify communication forms on digital technology platforms: electronic information portals (websites), social networks, newsletters, special topics, materials; strengthen integration and embedding with propaganda activities in building new rural areas.

2. Strengthen the construction of digital administration in building new rural areas

a) Enhance the construction and application of interlinked and synchronized online public service systems at provincial, district, and commune levels; improve services for citizens using online public services; intensify administrative reform implementation linked with e-government and online public services at level 3-4 at commune level;

b) Increase access to telecommunications services, support citizens in using information technology devices (free wireless internet (WiFi) in central commune areas, cultural activity points in communities, rural tourist spots, etc.);

c) Vigorously apply information technology in management and operational activities at all levels (districts, communes), particularly in managing rural construction planning and economic, health, education, culture, and environmental sectors;

d) Intensify the application of digital technology in management and organization of the National Target Program on Building New Rural Areas:

Vigorously apply digital technology in organizing implementation, information dissemination, training, and capacity building in implementing the National Target Program on Building New Rural Areas, ensuring synchronization and uniformity from the central to local levels (provinces, districts, communes).

Apply online management software in tasks such as planning, reviewing, recognizing localities achieving new rural standards, and reporting on the implementation results of the National Target Program on Building New Rural Areas; support management, monitoring, evaluation, classification, and promotion of OCOP products and rural tourism; monitor environmental quality, manage waste sources, pollutants, and rural clean water supply.

3. Promote digital economy in developing rural economy

a) Strengthen the application of digital technology in developing the rural economy towards a circular economy and digital economy;

b) Accelerate the digitization process, build digital maps of agriculture and rural areas, establish synchronized databases, implement management of origin codes for key agricultural products, OCOP products, village craft products, and rural tourism services;

c) Strengthen the application of online technologies and augmented reality in promoting and marketing key agricultural products, OCOP products, and rural tourism;

d) Encourage innovative startups, develop value-added services on digital platforms, especially organic farming, circular economy, and rural tourism.

4. Focus on developing a digital society in building new rural areas

a) Vigorously apply digital technology in citizen satisfaction surveys regarding new rural area construction outcomes;

b) Support organizations and businesses providing digital services to invest in and develop online services related to healthcare, education, culture, social welfare, and environmental protection in rural areas;

a) Model: smart rural village/new rural commune linked with prominent fields in localities (construction planning management, economy, health, education, culture, security order, rural tourism...);

b) Central pilot model for building smart rural communes and e-commerce for agricultural and rural products according to the list approved by the competent authority.

Section 5

SUPERVISION AND EVALUATION OF PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION; IMPROVING CAPACITY FOR BUILDING NEW RURAL AREAS; COMMUNICATION ON BUILDING NEW RURAL AREAS

Subsection 1

IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF SUPERVISION, MONITORING, AND EVALUATION WORK ON PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION; BUILD A SYNCHRONOUS AND COMPREHENSIVE SUPERVISION AND EVALUATION SYSTEM TO MEET MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS, ESPECIALLY BUILDING A SUPERVISION SYSTEM THROUGH DIGITAL MAPS AND DATABASES; SPREAD MODELS OF MODERN SECURITY SUPERVISION AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION

Article 22. Improving the Quality and Effectiveness of the Inspection and Supervision Work on the Implementation of the Program

1. Responsibilities for Inspecting and Supervising the New Rural Development Program

a) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, agencies assigned to lead the components of the program, and agencies with authority to manage the New Rural Development Program shall inspect and supervise the entire process of implementing the New Rural Development Program according to their assigned functions and tasks;

b) People's Committees at all levels shall inspect and supervise the entire process of implementing the New Rural Development Program within the scope of their local management.

2. Procedures for Inspecting and Supervising the New Rural Development Program

a) Draft and submit for approval the Inspection and Supervision Plan;

b) Establish an Inspection Team (if necessary);

c) Notify the Inspection and Supervision Plan and request preparation of materials for inspection. The minimum preparation time for the inspected entity is 20 days from the date of receipt of the document requesting material preparation;

d) Conduct inspection and supervision. The maximum on-site inspection period for the Inspection Team is 20 days;

đ) Summarize and report the results of inspection and supervision. The maximum time for summarizing and reporting inspection results is 20 days;

e) Announce the results of inspection and supervision. The maximum implementation time is 10 days from the date of receiving the report from the Inspection and Supervision Team.

3. Content of Inspection and Supervision of the New Rural Development Program shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 30, Chapter VII, Decree No. 27/2022/NĐ-CP.

Article 23. Evaluation of the Implementation of the New Rural Development Program

1. Responsibilities for Organizing the Evaluation of the Implementation of the New Rural Development Program

a) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and agencies leading the components of the New Rural Development Program shall be responsible for organizing the evaluation of the New Rural Development Program according to the contents specified in Clause 3 of this Article and send it to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance;

b) People's Committees at all levels shall be responsible for organizing the evaluation of the New Rural Development Program within the scope of their local management according to the contents specified in Clause 3 of this Article.

2. Procedures for Implementing the Evaluation of the New Rural Development Program

a) Draft and submit for approval the Evaluation Plan;

b) Establish an Evaluation Team (if necessary), hire consulting units for evaluation (if necessary);

c) Notify the Evaluation Plan and request preparation of materials for evaluation;

d) Prepare detailed evaluation plans;

đ) Collect and analyze data;

e) Report evaluation results;

g) Announce evaluation results.

Article 24. Building a Comprehensive and Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation System to Meet Management Requirements of the Program, Particularly through Digital Maps and Databases

1. Building a Comprehensive and Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation System to Meet Management Requirements of the Program: Implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 32, Chapter VII, Decree No. 27/2022/NĐ-CP.

2. Building a Monitoring System through Digital Maps and Databases:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall coordinate with central ministries and agencies leading the components of the monitoring system for the implementation of the New Rural Development Program through digital maps and databases.

Article 25. Organization for evaluation, examination, certification, recognition, and revocation of decisions certifying communes, districts, provinces achieving new rural standards, improved new rural standards, exemplary new rural standards, and completion of new rural construction tasks.

Implementation shall be carried out according to the Decision of the Prime Minister promulgating regulations on conditions, procedures, formalities, files for examination, certification, announcement, and revocation of decisions certifying localities achieving new rural standards, improved new rural standards, exemplary new rural standards, and completion of new rural construction tasks during the period of 2021-2025.

Article 26. Promoting modern security surveillance models and community surveillance.

2. Community surveillance for the new rural construction program: Implemented in accordance with Article 33 of Chapter VII of Decree No. 27/2022/NĐ-CP.

Subsection 2

IMPROVING CAPACITY, TRANSFORMING AWARENESS AND THINKING FOR THE NEW RURAL CONSTRUCTION WORKFORCE AT ALL LEVELS; TRAINING AND ORGANIZING TO IMPROVE AWARENESS AND TRANSFORM THINKING OF THE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIES AND NEW RURAL CONSTRUCTION.

Article 27. Training and capacity building to enhance the capabilities, transform awareness, and thinking for the new rural construction workforce at all levels, particularly grassroots-level cadres.

1. Training and capacity building content.

a) In accordance with the training and capacity building programs issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and relevant central agencies.

b) New contents in new rural construction during the period of 2021-2025.

2. Training and capacity building targets.

a) The new rural construction workforce at all levels (central, provincial, district, commune, etc.), including cadres from political and social organizations; priority given to training and capacity building for cadres in difficult communes, extremely difficult communes, mountainous areas, coastal regions, islands, and ethnic minority regions.

b) Management, research, and teaching staff from research institutes and schools; staff from communication agencies (newspapers, radio stations, television stations, etc.).

3. Implementation methods.

a) On-site or online training and capacity building sessions.

b) Visiting and learning experiences from other localities.

c) Visiting and learning experiences from abroad.

Article 28. Training and enhancing awareness and transforming thinking of the people and community regarding agricultural economic development and new rural construction.

1. Main training content.

a) Specialized training and capacity building topics issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

b) Transitioning from agricultural production thinking to agricultural economy thinking, linking production with markets, meeting market demands, and protecting the environment.

c) Developing agriculture towards commodity production based on high technology application, ecological agriculture, organic agriculture, circular agriculture, smart agriculture, and natural-friendly agriculture.

d) Building linkage and cooperation models in agricultural production and business, and economic development models in rural areas integrating multiple values (economic, cultural, environmental) in the implementation of new rural construction.

e) Contents about new rural construction according to the needs and practical conditions of each locality approved by competent authorities.

2. Training targets.

a) Village Party Branch Secretaries, village chiefs, heads of village mass organizations, members of the Village Development Board, and Community Supervision Board.

b) Agricultural cooperative cadres; leaders of agricultural cooperative groups; farm owners; community extension workers.

c) Outstanding farmers in the locality.

d) Other individuals and organizations with needs (enterprises, banks, non-governmental organizations, cooperative directors, farm owners, outstanding farmer households, etc.).

3. Training methods.

a) On-site or online training sessions.

b) Discussion forums and experience exchanges.

c) Visiting and learning experiences from other localities.

4. Localities shall proactively develop and implement specific training plans based on needs and actual conditions in each locality.

STRENGTHENING AND DIVERSIFYING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION FORMATS; EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENTING COMMUNICATION WORK ON NEW RURAL CONSTRUCTION.

1. Focus on disseminating information and communication regarding the contents of the New Rural Development Program:

a) The objectives, tasks, and key solutions of the New Rural Development Program to concretize the Resolution of the Thirteenth National Congress of the Party and the Resolution of the Fifth Plenary Session of the Thirteenth Central Committee of the Party on agriculture, farmers, and rural areas, especially new contents aimed at the effectiveness, quality, and sustainability of the New Rural Development Program, with emphasis on enhancing the capacity, quality of life, and knowledge of rural residents;

b) Models and methods for transforming thinking about rural economic development from agricultural production to agricultural economy, developing value chains towards circular economy, leveraging the multi-value of agriculture and rural areas, sustainable development with responsibility, adapting to climate change, ecological agriculture, organic agriculture; developing rural tourism linked to preserving and promoting fine cultural values; publicizing and disseminating regulations, standards, conditions for food safety, intellectual property rights, traceability, packaging, labels, product information for food production and business establishments.

2. Diversify forms of information and communication

a) Coordinate with relevant agencies and units to promote the application of information technology, digital technology, digital transformation in information and communication such as social networks, entertainment applications on smart devices, virtual reality technology, augmented reality technology... to enhance the quality and effectiveness of communication in building new rural areas;

b) Coordinate with news agencies and media organizations, event organizing units... to diversify forms of communication through various mass media systems, social networks, visual propaganda through images, banners, slogans, posters, billboards, pictures, flags, publications, forums, competitions, reports, films, exhibitions... following a multi-dimensional approach and focusing on key topics;

c) Expand and diversify the target audience for communication, promoting awareness and information dissemination to grassroots cadres, communities, and people both in rural and urban areas; particularly consumers, trade organizations, and tourists to develop markets for agricultural products, OCOP products, and rural tourism, contributing to sustainable rural economic development.

3. Effectively implement communication work

a) Implement Decision No. 1828/BNN-VPDP dated May 23, 2022 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approving the Communication Program serving the New Rural Development Program for the period 2021-2025;

b) Develop annual communication plans including key activities according to annual themes to improve the implementation quality of the New Rural Development Program and raise awareness among cadres and people, especially grassroots cadres and rural residents;

c) Build, upgrade, manage, and update information and promotional articles on the electronic portals of the New Rural Development Program and related websites and social networks to reflect the results of new rural area construction, record difficulties and challenges during the program's implementation, promptly provide answers and propose support solutions;

d) Enhance the communication and information skills of cadres at all levels in new rural area construction through training courses, seminars, practical surveys on communication and information knowledge and skills;

đ) Organize conferences and seminars; allocate funds for organizing meetings to deploy, review, and conclude the implementation of the Program; travel expenses for cadres attending central, provincial, and district-level conferences, seminars, forums, and training sessions shall be carried out in accordance with current laws;

Chapter III

REPORTING REGIME FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Article 30. Content and deadlines for reporting on the implementation of the New Rural Development Program

1. The content of mid-term, final, periodic (six months, one year) and ad hoc reports on the implementation of the New Rural Development Program shall be carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

2. Deadlines for mid-term and final reports:

a) By September 1, 2023, ministries, sectors, central agencies, and localities shall submit mid-term evaluation reports (for the period 2021-2023) to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and other central agencies responsible for the components.

b) By September 1, 2025, ministries, sectors, central agencies, and localities shall submit final evaluation reports (for the period 2021-2025) to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and other central agencies responsible for the components.

3. Deadlines for periodic reports (six months, one year):

a) People's Committees of communes shall prepare reports (in accordance with Form No. 04 attached as an appendix to this Circular) and submit them to the People's Committee of the district before June 15 of the same year for six-month reports; before December 15 of the planning year for annual reports.

b) Departments, sectors, People's Committees of districts, and related units shall prepare reports (in accordance with Form No. 03 attached as an appendix to this Circular) and submit them to the People's Committee of the province before June 20 of the same year for six-month reports; before December 20 of the planning year for annual reports.

c) People's Committees of provinces shall prepare reports (in accordance with Form No. 03 attached as an appendix to this Circular) and submit them to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and other central agencies responsible for the components before June 30 of the same year for six-month reports; before December 25 of the planning year for annual reports.

d) Ministries and central agencies responsible for the components of the New Rural Development Program shall prepare reports (in accordance with Form No. 02 attached as an appendix to this Circular) and submit them to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development before June 30 of the same year for six-month reports; before December 31 for annual reports.

đ) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall compile and submit these reports to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance before July 15 of the same year for six-month reports; before January 15 of the planning year for annual reports.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 31. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from the date of issuance. This Circular abolishes Circular No. 05/2017/TT-BNNPTNT dated March 1, 2017, issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development guiding the implementation of certain contents of the National Target Program for Building New Rural Areas for the period 2016-2020, and Circular No. 04/2019/TT-BNNPTNT dated April 1, 2019, issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 05/2017/TT-BNNPTNT dated March 1, 2017, guiding the implementation of certain contents of the National Target Program for Building New Rural Areas for the period 2016-2020.

2. Specific documents cited in this Circular shall be applied according to new documents issued when new regulating documents take effect.

3. In the course of implementation, if there are arising issues or difficulties, relevant agencies, units, organizations, and individuals shall reflect these to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for study, amendment, and supplementation as appropriate./.