Hưng Yên, July 15, 2025 – The Europe Today: General Secretary Tô Lâm has called for a strategic rethinking of the role of communes in Việt Nam’s governance and development, encouraging local leaders to transform grassroots administration into a driver of innovation, growth, and high-quality public service.
The message was delivered during the First Congress of Nghĩa Trụ Commune’s Party Committee for the 2025–2030 term, held from July 13 to 14 in Hưng Yên Province. The congress marked a significant milestone for Nghĩa Trụ, which was recently established through the merger of three communes: Long Hưng, Nghĩa Trụ, and Vĩnh Khúc.
In his address, General Secretary Tô Lâm praised the commune’s achievements during the 2020–2025 term, highlighting an average annual economic growth rate of 14.8%, per capita income of VNĐ152 million (US$5,820), the elimination of poverty, and a near-poor household rate of under 0.2%. The commune also welcomed 129 new Party members, exceeding its target, and all schools met national standards.
Looking ahead, Nghĩa Trụ has outlined an ambitious vision for 2025–2030. The goals include accelerating innovation and digital transformation, promoting urban development, and integrating progress in trade, services, tourism, and high-quality agriculture. The commune aims to meet ward-level criteria by 2030, with strategic targets such as:
- Trade, services, and tourism accounting for 50% of the local economy
- Reducing the near-poor household rate to under 0.15%
- Increasing the urbanisation rate to over 51%
- Achieving 98% health insurance coverage
General Secretary Tô Lâm urged Nghĩa Trụ to become a model eco-urban commune, combining modern urban development with ecological agriculture and new-style rural services, while preserving traditional cultural heritage.
He emphasized a multi-directional economic approach, leveraging the commune’s peri-urban location to serve as a base for fast and sustainable development. He also called for the development of specialised and high-value agriculture, particularly in fruit cultivation, ornamental plants, and seedlings, using smart, ecological, and experiential farming methods aligned with VietGAP standards and traceability systems.
In addition, the Party chief stressed the importance of labour force restructuring, boosting income levels, and supporting vocational training, digital skills, and entrepreneurship, particularly for youth, farmers, and women.
Lâm advocated for each village to establish community regulations that safeguard traditional festivals and cultural values, while promoting the unique identity of Hưng Yên and the Red River Delta.
Under the new two-tier local government model, where communes represent the grassroots tier, General Secretary Tô Lâm highlighted the urgent need to transition toward a service-oriented government. He called for a high-caliber cadre of commune officials equipped with digital skills, strong local knowledge, and a people-centred mindset.
He urged the new Party Committee to swiftly implement the congress resolution through clear five-year and three-year action plans, with specific responsibilities and measurable outcomes.
Concluding his remarks, General Secretary Tô Lâm underscored that solidarity with the people remains the lifeblood of Party activities at the local level. He expressed confidence that Nghĩa Trụ would become a leading example in urbanisation, digital transformation, and sustainable development, contributing meaningfully to the progress of Hưng Yên Province.
As part of his visit, the General Secretary also toured the Nghĩa Trụ Commune Public Administrative Service Centre, stressing the importance of accessible, efficient, and modern service delivery at the grassroots level.
