1,300 communes have been recognised as new-style rural areas nationwide, accounting for 14.5% of communes across the country, far below the set target of 20%. Resources to implement the programme have reached nearly 40 billion USD, mainly coming from the state budget, private and foreign donors. Income per capita in countryside areas has reached 1,300 USD while the number of households living below the poverty line has decreased to 3.6 from a previous 11.6%. However, the National Steering Committee on New Rural Construction said that there have been discrepancies among regions with low results being achieved in the Central Highlands.
