Lai Chau transforms with rural-centric development strategy

Leveraging natural advantages

As a mountainous province with high, fragmented terrain, Lai Chau possesses a diverse ecosystem with abundant land, forest, and water resources. These factors provide a critical foundation for developing agriculture and forestry toward specialty products and sustainability.

In recent years, under the leadership of Party committees and authorities at all levels, along with public consensus, the province’s agricultural and rural sectors have achieved positive results. Growth in the agriculture and environment sector has remained stable at around 5% per year. By 2025, average per capita income in rural areas reached VND 28.9 million, up nearly VND 11.7 million compared to 2020. The poverty rate has declined by an average of 3.9% per year, falling to 17.24%.

The new rural development program has been implemented in a coordinated manner, bringing about clear changes to the rural landscape. Infrastructure for transport, irrigation, and domestic water has been gradually upgraded, improving both production conditions and residents’ livelihoods. Since 2021, the province has allocated nearly VND 536 billion to rural infrastructure development, particularly in ethnic minority areas.

At the same time, the "One Commune One Product" (OCOP) program has created a breakthrough in enhancing the value of agricultural products. The province currently has 295 products rated three stars or higher. Specialty products such as tea, Seng cu rice, and medicinal herbs have gradually gained access to broader distribution systems through production linkage models.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dong, Deputy Director of the Lai Chau Department of Agriculture and Environment, said that in practice, cooperative models among farmers, cooperatives, and enterprises have proven effective. Many ethnic minority households have received support to develop production and improve the value of their agricultural products. Trade promotion activities have also been strengthened, notably the Minority Ethnic and Northern Mountainous Product Festival 2025 with 74 booths, of which Lai Chau accounts for 50 booths.

Agricultural restructuring

On that basis, the Standing Board of the Lai Chau Provincial Party Committee issued Action Program No. 16, concretizing Conclusion 219 of the Politburo on continuing the implementation of Central Resolution No. 19 on agriculture, farmers, and rural areas through 2030, with a vision to 2045, demonstrating strong determination to comprehensively develop "tam nong " -  three rural issues, including agriculture, farmers, and rural areas.

By 2030, the province aims to raise average rural income to VND 47.5 million/capita/year; reduce the multidimensional poverty rate to below 10%; have at least 10 communes meeting new rural standards; ensure 80% of the rural population has access to qualified clean water; and achieve a forest coverage rate of 55%.

To realize these goals, Lai Chau is orienting its agricultural development toward green, clean, organic, and circular models. Sector restructuring associated with the application of science and technology, digital transformation, and the development of concentrated commodity production has been identified as a key pillar.

Key products such as tea, macadamia, cinnamon, fruit trees, and medicinal herbs, particularly Lai Chau ginseng, will be developed in line with international standards, associated with deep processing, brand building, and traceability. At the same time, the province is stepping up efforts to attract business investment in agriculture and to establish closed linkage chains.

According to the agriculture and environment sector’s orientation, three key pillars include effective utilization of land, forest, and water resources in association with environmental protection; production following safe processes; and development of concentrated livestock farming along biosecurity chains. These are considered the foundation for building clean, high-value agricultural brands.

The new rural development movement is being modernized, aligned with the urbanization process. Under the plan, by 2030, the province’s urbanization rate is expected to reach over 20%, alongside strong investment in digital infrastructure, widespread fiber-optic Internet access, and 5G coverage.

The implementation of the National Criteria for New Rural Communes for the 2026–2030 period is being accelerated. According to the Lai Chau Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province currently has 36 communes applying the new criteria set, with 26 out of 47 indicators ready for immediate implementation. Areas such as planning, infrastructure, environment, and the political system have established an initial foundation for quality improvement.

Green development is being translated into concrete targets. Specifically, 100% of industrial parks and clusters will be equipped with centralized wastewater treatment systems; 95% of urban solid waste will be collected; and 98% of production facilities will meet environmental standards. With more than 500,000 ha of forest, Lai Chau is also exploring participation in the carbon credit market, opening new avenues for exploring the value of forest resources.

In parallel, developing the rural workforce is being prioritized, with a target of training around 4,700 workers each year. Residents are supported in accessing capital, science, and technology to enhance their production capacity, gradually becoming true stakeholders in rural economic development.

With a vision for 2050, Lai Chau aims to become a green, ecological development space with synchronized infrastructure, where the agricultural economy is closely linked with processing industries, tourism, and logistics. Priority will be given to investment in transport projects, border-gate economic zones, specialized raw material areas, and tourism infrastructure, creating long-term growth drivers.

$1 = VND 26,361 - Source: Vietcombank.