With 80% of the total population and 70 % of the workforce living and working in
rural areas in Viet Nam, rural development is considered the most important factor to
maintain the sustainable development of the nation. Rural agriculture has contributed
30% of the total exports and 25% of total GDP. The majority of the rural population
makes its living by growing and selling crops (rice accounts for 45 percent of
agricultural production), raising and selling livestock and fish, and from forest products.
Ninety percent of the poor in Vietnam, or three quarters of the population, live in the
rural areas, which is why rural development and agriculture are critical to Vietnam’s
development.
Fully aware of the importance of the agriculture in national economy, the
Government of Viet Nam has issued a set of reform policies, bringing the agricultural
sector to the leading place in the renovation process. Among these policies, promoting
sustainable agriculture in the rural areas is considered the key solution for the
development of Viet Nam in the 21st century.
This paper focuses on three main issues. Firstly, it gives an overview of the role of
sustainable agriculture in ensuring an adequate standard of living and in improving the
quality of life of the poor in the rural areas. Secondly, it analyses challenges in
achieving sustainable agriculture and presents some strategies in promoting sustainable
agriculture in these rural areas. Finally it examines some outstanding successes in
developing sustainable agriculture as well as the contribution of the youth in
maintaining success in sustainable agricultural practices.