To overcome the methodological constraints of evaluating nationwide development programs where valid control groups cannot be established, this study develops a dynamic, multidimensional Rural Development Index (RDI) framework to assess the performance of Vietnam's National Target Program on New Rural Development (NTP-NRD). Utilizing panel data across three time points (2010, 2016, and 2020) from the General Statistics Office (GSO) of Vietnam, we trace the spatio- temporal performance trajectories across 63 provinces based on a ‘Cause–Result’ dual framework. Empirical findings demonstrate that the national average RDI increased by 15.5%, rising from 0.702 in 2010 to 0.811 in 2020, driven by substantial progress in social infrastructure such as education and health. However, persistent spatial rigidities were observed in economic dimensions, highlighting a structural decoupling between physical infrastructure investments and tangible per capita income growth. Spatial analysis further reveals that top-performing provinces achieved balanced, multi-dimensional growth, whereas peripheral and mountainous regions faced severe limitations in income generation and economic base development despite high rates of infrastructure index improvement. By proving that a multidimensional spatial index can effectively diagnose regional policy bottlenecks in the absence of counterfactuals, this study offers a rigorous, data-driven analytical foundation for designing region-specific development strategies and evaluating official development assistance (ODA) initiatives in developing economies.

ABSTRACT
서 론
이론적 배경 및 선행연구 검토
분석 방법 및 자료
    1. 농촌발전지수(RDI)의 개념과 개발 원칙
    2. 지수개발 원칙
    3. RDI 영역별 구성 및 지표 체계
    4. 지표의 정규화 및 표준화 방법
    5. 분석의 범위와 자료
    6. RDI 등급화 기준
분석 결과
    1. 2020년 기준 권역별 RDI 격차 분석
    2. 2020년 기준 종합지수 상·하위 10개 성·시별 RDI 분석
    3. RDI 동태적 변화 및 권역별 추이 분석(2010, 2016, 2020)
베트남 농촌개발을 위한 정책적 제언 및 함의
요약 및 결론
적 요
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
REFERENCES
Appendix

• 김태화(국립공주대학교 지역사회개발학과 부교수) | Tae-Hwa Kim (Associate Professor, Department of Community Development, Kongju National University, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author
• 허장(GSnJ Institute 국제개발협력센터 센터장) | Jang Heo (Director General, Center for International Development Cooperation, GSnJ Institute, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea)