Circular No. 54/2009/TT-BNNPTNT guiding the implementation of the National Criteria for New Rural Areas

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Implementing National Criteria for New Rural Areas

_____________________________

Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2008/NĐ-CP dated January 3, 2008, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Pursuant to Decision No. 491/QĐ-TTg dated April 16, 2009 of the Prime Minister on the issuance of National Criteria for New Rural Areas;

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guides the implementation of the National Criteria for New Rural Areas as follows:

Part I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Rural areas are parts of territory not within the inner city or town of cities, towns, and wards managed by the grassroots administrative body which is the People's Committee of communes.

Article 2. The National Criteria for New Rural Areas serve as a basis for localities to direct the construction and development of new rural areas; they are also the foundation for evaluating and recognizing communes that meet the standards of new rural areas.

Article 3. The Chairpersons of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities may supplement additional criteria or specify achievement levels for the criteria in accordance with the specific conditions of their locality but must not set them lower than those stipulated in the National Criteria.

Part II.
SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

I. CONTENT AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE CRITERIA

Article 4. Planning and Implementation According to Planning

1. Explanation of terms:

Planning involves arranging and allocating locations and areas for functional zones within the commune: residential development zones (including both renovation of existing residential areas and planning of new ones); economic and social infrastructure, agricultural production zones, small-scale industrial zones, service zones, etc., according to the standards of new rural areas.

2. Content of Planning

2.1. Land use planning and essential infrastructure for developing commercial agriculture, industry, small-scale industry, and services: Determining land requirements for arranging production areas and essential technical infrastructure serving commercial agricultural, industrial, small-scale industrial, and service production; arranging water conservancy systems, combined water conservancy and transportation systems, etc., following the guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

2.2. Planning for the development of new residential areas and the renovation of existing residential areas towards civility while preserving good cultural characteristics, following the guidelines of the Ministry of Construction.

2.3. Planning for the development of economic, social, and environmental infrastructure according to new standards, including: Arranging road networks, electricity, schools at all levels, health stations, communal cultural and sports centers, village cultural houses and sports areas, post offices and communication systems, markets, cemeteries, waste disposal sites, clean water supply systems, wastewater drainage systems, green parks, ecological lakes, etc., following detailed guidelines of the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Basis for Developing Planning

- Circular No. 21/2009/TT-BXD dated June 30, 2009 of the Ministry of Construction on the establishment, review, approval, and management of rural construction planning;

- Decision No. 2933/BGTVT-KHĐT dated May 11, 2009 of the Ministry of Transport guiding the criteria for new rural areas in the field of rural transport;

- Vietnam Construction Standard QCXDVN 01: 2008/BXD - Planning Construction;

- Technical Regulation QĐKT-ĐNT- 2006 - Rural Electricity Technical Regulations;

- Decree No. 106/2005/NĐ-CP dated August 17, 2005 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Electricity regarding the protection of high-voltage power transmission line safety;

- TCVN 4054: 2005 - Road Design Standards for Automobiles;

- TCVN 6696: 2004 - Sanitary Waste Disposal Site - General Environmental Protection Requirements;

- Vietnam Construction Standard TCXDVN 260: 2004 - Hazardous Waste Disposal Site - Design Standards;

- Decision No. 32/2004/QĐ-BTC dated April 6, 2004 of the Minister of Finance on standards and quotas for the use of office space for state agencies at communes, wards, and towns;

- Joint Circular No. 01/2001/TTLT-BKHCNMT-BXD of the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment dated January 18, 2001, guiding regulations on environmental protection concerning the selection of locations for waste disposal sites and their operation;

- Vietnam Construction Standard TCXDVN 261: 2001 - Solid Waste Disposal Site - Design Standards;

- 22TCN 210-1992 - Rural Road Design Standards;

Article 5. Traffic criteria

1. Explanation of Terms

1.1. Commune road is a road connecting the commune administrative center with villages or roads connecting communes (not belonging to district roads) designed at level IV

1.2. Village road is a road connecting villages to hamlets.

1.3. Hamlet road, alley is a road connecting households (common road of related families)

1.4. Main field road is a main road connecting from rice fields to residential areas

1.5. Hardening refers to a road surface paved with materials such as gravel, brick paving, cement concrete, etc.

2. Basis for planning, designing and recognizing rural traffic criteria

- Motor vehicle road - Design standard TCVN 4054-2005;

- Rural transport road - Design standard 22 TCN 210-92;

- Bridge and culvert design specifications according to limit state 22 TCN 18-79;

- Soft road pavement design procedure 22 TCN 211-06;

- Hard road pavement design procedure 22 TCN 223-95;

- Handbook for rural road maintenance at commune level (issued in 2003);

- Handbook for rural road maintenance at provincial level (issued in 2009);

- Local rural traffic standards issued by the Provincial People's Committee.

Article 6. Water conservancy criteria

1. Basic water conservancy system meeting production and living requirements

1.1. Explanation of terms

a. Water conservancy works are understood as infrastructure works aimed at exploiting the benefits of water; preventing damage caused by water; protecting the environment and maintaining ecological balance, including: dykes, reservoirs, dams, culverts, pumping stations, wells, water pipelines, canals, structures on canals, and various types of embankments.

b. Water conservancy system includes water conservancy works directly related to each other in terms of exploitation and protection within a specific area.

2. Basic water conservancy system meeting production and living requirements is understood as follows:

2.1. Regarding dyke or embankment against floods (for communes with flood control dykes or embankments): constructed to meet standards for flood, storm, tidal surge, and high water level prevention as prescribed, including: completing the design cross-section, hardening the dyke surface and the footpath along the dyke, planting grass on the dyke slope, planting trees on the river side and sea side of the dyke; rebuilding or repairing culverts under the dyke to ensure stability and synchronization with the dyke cross-section; handling erosion to ensure stability and safety of the dyke; ensuring a green, clean, and beautiful environment; having a commune-level flood and storm prevention command post, a people's dyke management team, and a dyke patrol guard team during the flood season, operating effectively as prescribed.

2.2. For irrigation and drainage works:

a. Meeting the requirement of active irrigation and drainage for paddy planting area, vegetable and industrial crop cultivation, aquaculture or salt production, domestic water supply, and drainage according to approved planning.

b. Water conservancy works ensuring irrigation, drainage, and water supply for industrial and civilian production must operate at more than 75% of their design capacity.

c. Water conservancy works with genuine management must reach 100%; there must be community participation in managing, operating, and utilizing water conservancy works. The works must be regularly maintained and repaired annually, preventing deterioration, ensuring safe and effective operation; no water pollution should occur.

2. Ratio of kilometers of canals managed by the commune that have been reinforced

2.1. Explanation of terms

a. Reinforcing canal means constructing concrete slabs; building with stone, bricks, or prefabricated concrete components to ensure that all levels of canals transfer sufficient flow and reach the designed water level; increasing irrigation efficiency, saving water, land construction, electricity, reducing management and utilization costs, and extending the life of the works.

b. Canal managed by the commune: is part of the canal system within the commune's jurisdiction, managed, operated, and maintained annually by water user organizations (Agricultural Service Cooperatives or other water user organizations) of the people.

2.2. Scope of application: Not applicable to island communes; combined irrigation and drainage canal systems; submerged irrigation systems affected by tides.

3. Bases for planning and recognizing criteria

- Vietnam Construction Standard TCXD VN285:2002: water conservancy works

- Main provisions on design issued together with Decision No. 26/2002/QD-BXD dated August 28, 2002 of the Minister of Construction;

- Relevant Vietnam Standards concerning: irrigation and drainage system design; pump station; reservoir and other water conservancy works;

- Law on Exploitation and Protection of Water Conservancy Works dated April 4, 2001 and Government Decrees detailing implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Exploitation and Protection of Water Conservancy Works: Decree No. 143/2003/NĐ-CP dated November 28, 2003 and Decree No. 115/2008/NĐ-CP dated November 14, 2008;

- Decision No. 13/2009/QĐ-TTg dated January 21, 2009 and Decision No. 56/2009/QĐ-TTg dated April 15, 2009 of

Article 7. Rural electricity criteria

1. Explanation of Terms

1.1. The power system includes:distribution network, distribution substation, medium voltage supply lines, low voltage supply lines.

1.2. A power system that meets technical requirements of the power industry means complying with the contents of the Rural Power Technical Regulations 2006 (QĐKT-ĐNT-2006), including the distribution network, distribution substation, medium voltage supply lines, low voltage supply lines, safety distances and protection zones, voltage quality (technical specifications set forth in Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of these regulations).

1.3. Sources of power supply for rural areas include: power supplied from the national grid, or outside the national grid. In areas not yet supplied by the national grid, local power generation facilities such as small hydropower plants, wind power, solar power, diesel generators, etc., or a combination of the aforementioned sources at appropriate capacity levels to ensure sufficient power supply for current demand and future development over the next 5-10 years shall be considered and applied based on specific local conditions.

1.4. Proportion of households using electricity regularly and safely in new rural communes:

a. Reaching 99% or more (for the Red River Delta and Southeast regions);

b. Reaching 98% or more (for the North Central Coast, South Central Coast, Central Highlands, and Mekong Delta regions);

c. Reaching 95% or more (for the Midland and Northern Mountainous regions).

2. Basis for planning, designing, and recognizing criteria

- Law on Electricity (No. 28/2004/QH 11, effective from July 1, 2005);

- Decree No. 105/2005/NĐ-CP of the Government dated August 17, 2005 detailing and guiding implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Electricity;

- Decree No. 106/2005/NĐ-CP of the Government dated August 17, 2005 detailing and guiding implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Electricity concerning high-voltage transmission line safety;

- Electrical equipment standards: 11 TCN-18-2006 to 11 TCN-21-2006;

- National Technical Regulation on Electrical Safety (QCVN01: 2008/BCT) issued together with Decision No. 12/2008/QĐ-BCT of the Ministry of Industry and Trade dated June 17, 2008, stipulating principles for ensuring safety when working on power lines and electrical equipment.

Article 8. School criteria.

1. Explanation of Terms

1.1. Kindergarten and nursery schools with national standard infrastructure: each commune has kindergartens and nurseries ensuring all age groups of children are organized and provided with midday meals, specifically as follows:

- Located in the center of residential areas, convenient for children to attend school, and meeting regulations on safety and environmental hygiene.

- Land area for building the kindergarten and nursery includes playground area, green space, and pathways. Minimum usable area per child is 12 square meters in rural and mountainous areas, and 8 square meters in urban and town areas. The compound is surrounded by walls, wood, metal, or trimmed trees as fences. The main gate bears the school name according to Article 7 of the Kindergarten Charter.

- Equipped with functional rooms, administrative offices, sleeping quarters, dining room, play area, health room, sanitary facilities, parking area for teachers and staff under covered shelters. The nursery has clean water and a proper drainage system. Play areas are paved with tiles or concrete, or planted with grass. Common activity rooms are equipped with sufficient desks and chairs for teachers and children. There are computers, work tools, medical equipment, and health monitoring devices.

1.2. Primary schools with national standard infrastructure

- Maximum number of classes is 30, with a maximum of 35 students per class.

- Land area per student is not less than 6 square meters in urban and town areas, and not less than 10 square meters in other areas.

- Each classroom has sufficient desks and chairs for teachers and students, equipped with ventilation systems. Desks, chairs, blackboards, lecterns, lighting, and classroom decoration meet standards. Fully equipped with educational devices as specified in the minimum list by the Ministry of Education and Training. Sanitation conditions meet requirements of being green, clean, beautiful, quiet, ventilated, and convenient for students.

- Multi-purpose hall, library meeting standards as prescribed in Decision No. 01/2003/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated January 2, 2003 and Decision No. 01/2004/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated January 29, 2004 of the Minister of Education and Training.

- Functional rooms include principal's office, vice-principal's office, teacher's room, youth league activities room, art education room, school health room, educational equipment room, and permanent office.

- Clean water supply, separate sanitary facilities for teachers and students, male and female sections, parking area, drainage system, and surrounding walls or tree hedges.

1.3. Junior high schools with national standard infrastructure

- Total land area per student is at least 6 square meters (for urban and town areas) and 10 square meters (for other areas);

- Structure of buildings includes classrooms and specialized subject rooms (enough classrooms for two shifts per day);

- Specialized subject rooms built according to Decision No. 37/2008/QĐ-BGDĐT dated July 16, 2008 of the Minister of Education and Training. Classrooms built according to Vietnam construction standards issued by the Ministry of Construction; classrooms have suitable desks and chairs for age groups, teachers' desks and chairs, blackboards, and adequate lighting and ventilation;

- Multi-purpose hall, library, youth league activities room, tradition room, principal's office, vice-principal's office, general meeting room, teacher's room, school health room, warehouse, and permanent office; playground and sports field (with sufficient exercise equipment and safety measures); sanitary facilities and parking area.

- Clean water supply and drainage system for all areas according to environmental hygiene regulations.

2. Basis for planning, designing, constructing, and recognizing criteria

- Decision No. 27/2001/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated July 5, 2001, promulgating the Regulation on Recognizing Secondary Schools Meeting National Standards for the period 2001-2010;

- Decision No. 32/2005/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated October 24, 2005, promulgating the Regulation on Recognizing Primary Schools Meeting National Standards; - Decision No. 36/2008/QĐ-BGDĐT dated July 16, 2008, promulgating the Regulation on Recognizing Kindergartens Meeting National Standards;

- Decision No. 07/2007/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated April 2, 2007, promulgating the Charter of Secondary Schools;

- Decision No. 51/2007/QĐ-BGDĐT dated August 31, 2007, promulgating the Charter of Primary Schools;

- Decision No. 14/2008/QĐ-BGDĐT dated April 7, 2008, promulgating the Charter of Kindergartens;

- Design standards for kindergartens and primary schools (Vietnamese Construction Standard TCXDVN 262:2002);

- Design standards for general secondary schools (Vietnamese Construction Standard TCVN 3978:1984).

Article 9. Cultural Infrastructure Criteria

1. Explanation of Terms

1.1. The cultural and sports center of a commune is the place organizing cultural, sports, and educational activities for the community, including: A multi-functional cultural house (assembly hall, functional rooms, training rooms, auxiliary facilities, and corresponding equipment according to regulations) and a general sports field (football field, volleyball court, high jump, long jump, shot put fields, and local traditional sports).

1.2. The cultural house and sports area of a village are places organizing cultural, sports, and educational activities for the village community.

2. The criteria for a commune cultural and sports center meeting the standard of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism are as follows:

2.1. Multi-functional Cultural House: Land area of 1,000 square meters for plains provinces and 800 square meters for mountainous provinces, including:

- Assembly Hall: Seating capacity of 150 seats for plains provinces and 100 seats for mountainous provinces.

- Functional Rooms (administration; information; reading room, library; radio broadcasting; club): Must have five rooms for plains provinces and two or more rooms for mountainous provinces.

- Simple Sports Training Room: Adequate space for training, teaching, and organizing sports competitions according to regulations: 38m x 18m for plains provinces and 23m x 11m for mountainous provinces.

- Auxiliary Facilities (parking lot, sanitary facilities, flower garden): Complete for plains provinces and 70% complete for mountainous provinces.

- Cultural House Equipment (tables, shelves, cabinets, sound and lighting equipment, ventilation systems, radio broadcasting equipment): Complete for plains provinces and 70% complete for mountainous provinces.

- Sports Equipment (specialized equipment for suitable sports activities in the commune): Complete for plains provinces and 70% complete for mountainous provinces.

2.2. General Sports Field includes: football field, at both ends of the football field, volleyball courts, high jump, long jump, shot put fields, and some local traditional sports can be arranged. Land area of 90m x 120m for plains provinces and 45m x 90m for mountainous provinces.

2.3. Management Organization and Activities

a. Staff:

- Management staff: management staff with a minimum level of intermediate education in culture and sports appointed by the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee and entitled to receive part-time allowances.

- Professional staff: for plains provinces, there must be specialized personnel in culture and sports hired and paid reasonable remuneration. For mountainous provinces, there must be regular collaborators.

b. Operating Budget: for plains provinces, it must ensure 100% of the annual operating budget. For mountainous provinces, it must ensure 60%.

c. Cultural and Artistic Activities:

- Propaganda serving political tasks: 12 times/year for plains provinces; 3-6 times/year for mountainous provinces.
- Community Cultural and Art Festivals: 12 times/year for plains provinces; 3-6 times/year for mountainous provinces.
- Maintaining regular activities of clubs: 10 clubs or more for plains provinces; 3 clubs or more for mountainous provinces.
- Building cultural families, cultural villages, cultural lifestyles, and preserving ethnic cultures: Effective activities for plains provinces; Some activities for mountainous provinces.
- Attracting people to enjoy and participate in cultural activities and creative cultural activities: 40% or more of the population for plains provinces; 20% or more of the population for mountainous provinces.

d. Cultural and Sports Activities:

- Sports Competitions: 3 times/year for plains provinces; 1 time/year for mountainous provinces.
- Attracting people to regularly engage in physical exercise and sports: 30% of the population for plains provinces; 15% of the population for mountainous provinces.
- Directing and guiding existing village cultural houses and sports areas (village, hamlet): 100% for plains provinces; 70% for mountainous provinces.

3. Basis for Planning, Design, Construction, and Evaluation Criteria: Decision No. 2448/QĐ-BVHTTDL dated July 7, 2009, of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism promulgating the Standards for Commune Cultural and Sports Centers.

Article 10. Criteria for rural markets.

1. Explanation of Terms

1.1. A rural market is a facility serving daily essential needs, a place where buying, selling, and exchanging goods and services take place in rural areas. There are two types of markets: village markets and central communal markets. The market must have business zones according to commodity categories including: Main market building, outdoor trading area, pathways, parking lots, green spaces, waste collection points.

1.2. The standard market criteria of the Ministry of Construction shall only apply to markets constructed within commune boundaries according to the rural market network planning approved by the People's Committee of the district following the guidelines of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

2. Basis for planning, design construction, and recognition of criteria

- Decree No. 02/2003/NĐ-CP dated January 14, 2003 of the Government on developing and managing markets.

- TCXDVN 361: 2006 - Market - Design standards.

Article 11. Criteria for post offices.

1. Explanation of Terms

a. Postal and telecommunications service points are physical facilities of economic entities providing postal and telecommunications services in the commune for residents.

b. A commune with postal and telecommunications service points is a commune that has at least one of the following service facilities: postal agency, kiosk, post office, commune post-office-culture center, public mail box, and other public access points for postal and telecommunications services.

c. A commune with internet access to villages means there is a point providing internet access services.

2. Basis for planning, design construction, and recognition of criteria For broadband internet services (ADSL): pursuant to Decision No. 55/2006/QĐ-BBCVT dated December 25, 2006 of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on issuing industry standards: Internet Access Service ADSL - Quality Standards, Code TCN 68-227:2006.

Article 12. Criteria for residential housing.

1. Explanation of Terms

1.1. Temporary housing is a type of dwelling that does not meet the minimum level of convenience, lacks the necessary living space areas such as kitchen and toilet built with temporary materials, flammable, with a lifespan under five years, or does not meet the "three hard" requirements (including solid floor, solid frame, solid roof), and does not ensure safety for users.

1.2. Rural housing meeting the standard of the Ministry of Construction has the following indicators:

a. Housing area of at least 14 square meters per person;

b. Lifespan of the housing construction project of at least 20 years;

c. Ensuring planning and spatial arrangement of buildings within the residential compound (including housing and facilities ensuring minimum living needs such as kitchen, toilet...) must be suitable and convenient for the daily life of all family members; at the same time, these facilities must meet the minimum area usage requirements;

d. Having sufficient technical infrastructure facilities for living such as electricity, clean water, environmental sanitation... Transportation from the residence must connect to the common transportation system of the village, ensuring convenience for travel for people as well as other means of transport such as bicycles, motorcycles...

e. Architecture and house models must be appropriate to the customs, traditions, and lifestyle of each ethnic group and region.

2. Basis for designing and constructing residential housing and recognizing criteria

- Circular No. 05-BXD-ĐT dated February 9, 1993 of the Ministry of Construction guiding the method for determining usable area and classifying housing;

- Decision No. 76/2004/QĐ-TTg dated May 6, 2004 of the Prime Minister approving the orientation for housing development until 2020;

Article 13. Average annual per capita income criteria compared to the provincial average

1. Explanation of Terms

1.1. Average annual per capita income is the total income sources of the household per year divided equally among the number of family members. Household income includes all money and in-kind values received by the household and its members over a period of one year, including:

a. Income from wages and salaries;

b. Income from agricultural, forestry, and fisheries production (after deducting production costs and production taxes);

c. Income from non-agricultural production, forestry, and fisheries (after deducting production costs and production taxes);

d. Other income included in income (excluding savings withdrawals, purely borrowed funds, debt recovery, and capital transfer receipts).

1.2. The provincial average refers to the average per capita income in the rural area of the province.

2. Calculation method for the criteria:

- The average annual per capita income of the commune will be surveyed by the commune itself according to the household income survey model of the General Statistics Office;

- The average annual per capita income of the province (rural area) will be based on the annual announcement of the Provincial Statistics Office, city;

- The average annual per capita income compared to the provincial average is calculated by dividing the commune's average annual per capita income by the provincial rural area's average annual per capita income.

Article 14. Poverty household criterion:

1. Explanation of Terms

A poor household is a household with an average annual per capita income below the poverty standard.

The poverty standard is defined in Decision No. 170/2005/QD-TTg dated July 8, 2005 of the Prime Minister, specifically: up to 200,000 VND/person/month for the rural area and up to 260,000 VND/person/month for the urban area.

2. Basis for determining and recognizing the criteria:

- Decision No. 170/2005/QD-TTg dated July 8, 2005 of the Prime Minister on issuing the poverty standard applicable for the period 2006-2010;

- Circular No. 04/2007/TT-BLDTBXH dated January 29, 2007 of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs guiding the annual review process for poor households;

- Circular No. 30/2008/TT-BLDTBXH dated December 9, 2008 on guiding the annual inspection and evaluation process for the National Target Program on Poverty Reduction at all levels of localities.

Article 15. Labor structure criterion

1. Explanation of Terms

Labor force within working age in the field of agriculture, forestry, and fisheriesis the number of people within working age (men from 18 to 60 years old, women from 18 to 55 years old) who have the ability to work regularly in the field of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in the commune (including those who take advantage of off-seasons to work outside and return to agricultural, forestry, and fisheries production in the commune during peak seasons).

2. Determination method: The ratio of labor force within working age in the field of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries is the number of labor force within working age in the field of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries of the commune divided by the total number of labor force within working age in the commune.

Article 16. Organizational form of production criteria

1. Explanation of Terms

There is an effective cooperative or cooperative union operating on the commune's territory where a cooperative or cooperative union has been established to specialize in production, provide certain services, or engage in comprehensive business activities in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and salt industry; profitable operations confirmed by the Commune People's Committee.

Article 17. Education criteria

1. The universal primary education completion rate is based on Decision No. 26/2001/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated July 5, 2001, of the Minister of Education and Training, specifically as follows:

1.1. Criterion 1:

a. Achieving and maintaining the national standard for universal primary education and literacy eradication.

b. Mobilizing 6-year-old children to attend first grade at a rate of 90% (80% for particularly difficult communes);

c. At least 80% (70% for particularly difficult communes) of children aged 11-14 have completed primary school, with the remaining children in this age group currently attending primary school.

d. Mobilizing 95% (80% for particularly difficult communes) or more of primary school graduates each year to enroll in sixth grade of general secondary schools and supplementary education.

e. Ensuring material conditions to implement all subjects of the curriculum.

1.2. Criterion 2:

a. The annual graduation rate of lower secondary schools at 90% (70% for particularly difficult communes) or higher;

b. The proportion of young people aged 15 to 18 with lower secondary school diplomas from both systems at 80% (70% for particularly difficult communes) or higher.

2. The rate of lower secondary school graduates continuing their studies at the secondary level (general, supplementary, vocational training).

2.1. Explanation of terms

Lower secondary school graduates continuing their studies at the secondary level (general, supplementary, vocational training) refers to the number of students in the commune who have graduated from lower secondary school and are currently enrolled in secondary education at general secondary schools, supplementary education institutions, and vocational training centers.

2.2. Method of determination:

3. Labor force participation in training programs

Trained labor force refers to the number of working-age individuals who have participated in short-term vocational training courses or long-term training programs (regular and non-regular), and have been awarded various certificates and degrees such as vocational training certificates, associate degree certificates, vocational associate degree certificates, vocational college certificates, college certificates, and university certificates.

Article 18. Health criteria

1. Proportion of residents participating in health insurance schemes

1.1. Explanation of terms: Residents are considered to be participating in health insurance when they have joined one or more of the following health insurance schemes:

a. A scheme where the state budget or social insurance fund pays for health insurance, applicable to the following groups: the poor; ethnic minorities; those who have contributed to the revolution; social assistance beneficiaries; children under six years old; war veterans; relatives of those who have contributed to the revolution, military personnel, and police; pensioners, disability benefits recipients, and social insurance beneficiaries.

b. A scheme where individuals pay the full health insurance premium or receive partial financial support from the state budget, applicable to other groups including workers in enterprises and state agencies residing in the commune.

1.2. Calculation method: Proportion of residents participating in health insurance = Number of residents holding health insurance cards x 100 / Total population of the commune

2. Commune meeting the national health standard: A commune meeting the national health standard is determined according to the regulations of the Ministry of Health. - Decision No. 370/2002/QĐ-BYT dated February 7, 2002, of the Minister of Health on issuing the "National Standard for Commune Health for the 2001-2010 period." - National Standard for Commune Health score table and detailed guidance on calculating the National Standard for Commune Health scores issued by the Ministry of Health. - Circular No. 10855/YT-KH dated December 12, 2002, of the Ministry of Health sent to People's Committees of provinces and cities regarding the organization and implementation of the "National Standard for Commune Health for the 2001-2010 period."

Article 19. Cultural criteria

A commune shall have at least 70% of its villages and hamlets meeting the standard for cultural villages according to the Regulation on the recognition of the titles "Cultural Family," "Cultural Village," and "Cultural People's Group" issued together with Decision No. 62/2006/QĐ-BVHTT dated June 23, 2006 of the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism).

Article 20. Environmental criteria

1. Explanation of terms:

1.1. Sanitary water and clean water according to national standards

a. Clean water according to national standards is water that meets the criteria set forth in the National Technical Regulation on Drinking Water Quality - QCVN 02:2009/BYT issued by the Ministry of Health on June 17, 2009.

b. Sanitary water is water used directly or after filtration that satisfies quality requirements: colorless, odorless, tasteless, free from components that may affect human health, and can be used for drinking after boiling.

c. The ratio of households using sanitary water and clean water according to national standards is the proportion of households using sanitary water, including the proportion of households using clean water meeting national standards out of the total number of households in the commune, specifically as follows:

- Northern midlands and mountainous regions and Central Highlands: 80% of households, of which 45% of households use clean water meeting national standards.
- Red River Delta, Southeastern region, and Mekong Delta: 90% of households, of which 50% of households use clean water meeting national standards.
- North Central Coast and South Central Coast: 85% of households, of which 50% of households use clean water meeting national standards.

1.2. Production and business establishments meeting environmental standards

a. Production and business establishments include: production facilities (agriculture, animal husbandry, aquaculture, small-scale industries), processing facilities for agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products of individual households, cooperatives, or enterprises operating within the locality.

b. Production and business establishments meet environmental standards if during their production and processing activities, they discharge wastewater, solid waste, odors, smoke, and noise within permissible limits as prescribed.

1.3. No activities causing environmental pollution and having activities to develop green, clean, and beautiful environments including the following contents:

a. No production and business establishments operating causing environmental pollution.

b. Each village (hamlet, village, ward) has a cleaning team responsible for clearing drainage channels, cutting grass along collection routes to designated locations for treatment.

c. Regularly organizing comprehensive cleaning involving all residents.

d. Organizing tree planting in public places, roads, and main traffic routes in fields.

e. Beautifying lakes to create scenic views and ecological balance.

1.4. Cemeteries are constructed according to planning

a. Each village or group of villages needs to plan land for long-term cemeteries.

b. There must be regulations on cemetery management specifying that the cemetery area must have burial zones, cremation zones, spiritual zones, areas for planting trees, and convenient paths for visiting. Graves must be arranged in rows and built according to specified dimensions and heights.

c. Along with planning and constructing cemetery management regulations, efforts should be made to mobilize the people to:
- Implement cremation instead of burial where conditions permit;

- Implement burial in cemeteries instead of in gardens (where such customs exist).

Article 21. Criteria for a robust political and social organizational system

1. Explanation of terms:

1.1. The political and social organizational system at the commune level includes:

a. Party organizations: Commune Party Committee and village branch committees; branch committees in sectors under the commune and units operating within the commune's territory.

b. Government: People's Council, Commune People's Committee, offices assisting the People's Council and Commune People's Committee, and village chiefs.

c. Political and social mass organizations: Fatherland Front, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Women's Union, Farmers' Union, Veterans' Association, and village-level branches and inter-village branches (excluding professional social organizations).

1.2. Having all organizations within the grassroots political system as prescribed means that all villages have the "feet" organizations of communal mass organizations as prescribed such as party branches, association branches, village chiefs. There should be no situation where these organizations are absent in villages.

1.3. Communal cadres meet standards:

a. The communal cadres referred to in this criterion include communal cadres and civil servants as stipulated in Article 2 of Decree No. 114/2003/ND-CP dated October 10, 2003 of the Government on Cadres and Civil Servants at communes, wards, and towns.

b. Communal cadres meeting the standards must satisfy general criteria and specific criteria for communal cadres and civil servants as stipulated in Decision No. 04/2004/QD-BNV dated January 16, 2004 of the Minister of Home Affairs on issuing specific criteria for communal cadres and civil servants, and must fulfill their assigned duties and responsibilities as stipulated in Decision No. 04/2004/QD-BNV dated January 16, 2004 of the Minister of Home Affairs.

1.4. Communal Party Committees and governments meet the "Clean and Strong" standard.

a. A grassroots Party Committee or branch must meet five requirements as prescribed to be considered "Clean and Strong."

b. A government must meet seven requirements as prescribed to be considered "Clean and Strong."

1.5. All political and social mass organizations of the commune must achieve advanced titles or higher according to the regulations of each organization.

Article 22. Criteria for maintaining social security and public order

1. Explanation of terms: Maintaining social security and public order means maintaining stability and development of society with organization and discipline, in a peaceful state, based on legal provisions.

2. Indicators that new rural communes need to achieve

2.1 Indicator 1:

a. Annually, the Party Committee issues Resolutions and the People's Committee issues Plans on ensuring social security and public order.

b. Effectively implement policies and measures to protect social security and public order and organize the "All-People Security Day."

c. Annually, classify the commune regarding the "All-People Security Movement" as good or better.

d. The commune police force is built and consolidated increasingly clean and strong in accordance with the Rural Police Law and guidance from the police sector. Annually, classify the police force in terms of competition and award the title "Advanced Unit" or higher; there should be no individual police officers disciplined with warnings or higher.

2.2 Indicator 2:

a. Do not allow activities that destroy economic, cultural, security, and defense targets; do not allow activities opposing the Party and the government, undermining national solidarity; do not allow illegal propaganda and development of religions; causing disturbances to public order...

b. Do not allow complex conflicts and disputes among the people; large-scale complaints and appeals beyond jurisdiction that persist over time.

2.3 Indicator 3:

a. Control and reduce various types of crimes and other violations of law compared to the previous year, without serious, very serious, or extremely serious crimes (seven years or more imprisonment) occurring.

b. Control and reduce accidents and social evils compared to the previous year. Do not allow serious fires, explosions, traffic accidents, and work-related accidents.

II. ORGANIZATION FOR EVALUATION AND REVIEW OF NEW RURAL COMMUNE STANDARDS

Article 23. The recognition of communes achieving new rural commune standards is based on the New Rural Commune Criteria announced and applied by the Provincial People's Committee on the provincial territory (including National Criteria and additional provincial criteria), specifically as follows:

1. Communes base themselves on the New Rural Commune Criteria to self-assess; if they meet the prescribed criteria, they report to the District People's Committee for consolidation and submission to the Provincial People's Committee before November each year.

2. The Provincial Steering Committee for New Rural Communes establishes working groups to review and issue decisions recognizing communes that meet the new rural commune standards.

3. The Central Steering Committee for New Rural Communes checks the recognition of new rural communes in provinces to recognize districts and provinces that meet the new rural commune standards, where districts have 75% of their communes achieving new rural commune status and provinces have 75% of their districts achieving new rural commune status.

Part III.
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 24. This Circular shall take effect forty-five days from the date of issuance. During the implementation process, if any issues arise or difficulties occur, localities shall report them to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for timely supplementation and amendment.