diff --git a/rust/optional.rs b/rust/optional.rs
index bdbc5ec4d2..2e576e114c 100644
--- a/rust/optional.rs
+++ b/rust/optional.rs
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ pub struct PresentField<'msg, T>
 where
     T: ProxiedWithPresence + ?Sized + 'msg,
 {
-    inner: T::PresentMutData<'msg>,
+    pub(crate) inner: T::PresentMutData<'msg>,
 }
 
 impl<'msg, T: ProxiedWithPresence + ?Sized + 'msg> Debug for PresentField<'msg, T> {
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ pub struct AbsentField<'a, T>
 where
     T: ProxiedWithPresence + ?Sized + 'a,
 {
-    inner: T::AbsentMutData<'a>,
+    pub(crate) inner: T::AbsentMutData<'a>,
 }
 
 impl<'msg, T: ProxiedWithPresence + ?Sized + 'msg> Debug for AbsentField<'msg, T> {
diff --git a/rust/proxied.rs b/rust/proxied.rs
index e5c4bb0f5d..1bbf35e020 100644
--- a/rust/proxied.rs
+++ b/rust/proxied.rs
@@ -395,8 +395,8 @@ mod tests {
     impl SettableValue<MyProxied> for Cow<'_, str> {
         fn set_on(self, _private: Private, mutator: Mut<MyProxied>) {
             match self {
-                Cow::Owned(x) => x.set_on(Private, mutator),
-                Cow::Borrowed(x) => x.set_on(Private, mutator),
+                Cow::Owned(x) => <String as SettableValue<MyProxied>>::set_on(x, Private, mutator),
+                Cow::Borrowed(x) => <&str as SettableValue<MyProxied>>::set_on(x, Private, mutator),
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/rust/shared.rs b/rust/shared.rs
index b6f8805729..6313eae80f 100644
--- a/rust/shared.rs
+++ b/rust/shared.rs
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ pub mod __public {
     pub use crate::proxied::{
         Mut, MutProxy, Proxied, ProxiedWithPresence, SettableValue, View, ViewProxy,
     };
-    pub use crate::string::{BytesMut, ProtoStr};
+    pub use crate::string::{BytesMut, ProtoStr, ProtoStrMut};
 }
 pub use __public::*;
 
diff --git a/rust/string.rs b/rust/string.rs
index 523a50846d..4ad4fbcd5f 100644
--- a/rust/string.rs
+++ b/rust/string.rs
@@ -35,7 +35,10 @@
 use crate::__internal::{Private, PtrAndLen, RawMessage};
 use crate::__runtime::{BytesAbsentMutData, BytesPresentMutData, InnerBytesMut};
 use crate::macros::impl_forwarding_settable_value;
-use crate::{Mut, MutProxy, Proxied, ProxiedWithPresence, SettableValue, View, ViewProxy};
+use crate::{
+    AbsentField, FieldEntry, Mut, MutProxy, Optional, PresentField, Proxied, ProxiedWithPresence,
+    SettableValue, View, ViewProxy,
+};
 use std::borrow::Cow;
 use std::cmp::{Eq, Ord, Ordering, PartialEq, PartialOrd};
 use std::convert::{AsMut, AsRef};
@@ -111,7 +114,7 @@ impl<'msg> BytesMut<'msg> {
     /// `BytesMut::clear` results in the accessor returning an empty string
     /// while `FieldEntry::clear` results in the non-empty default.
     ///
-    /// However, for a proto3 `bytes` that have implicit presence, there is no
+    /// However, for a proto3 `bytes` that has implicit presence, there is no
     /// distinction between these states: unset `bytes` is the same as empty
     /// `bytes` and the default is always the empty string.
     ///
@@ -204,7 +207,7 @@ impl<'msg> MutProxy<'msg> for BytesMut<'msg> {
     }
 }
 
-impl<'bytes> SettableValue<[u8]> for &'bytes [u8] {
+impl SettableValue<[u8]> for &'_ [u8] {
     fn set_on(self, _private: Private, mutator: BytesMut<'_>) {
         // SAFETY: this is a `bytes` field with no restriction on UTF-8.
         unsafe { mutator.inner.set(self) }
@@ -231,7 +234,7 @@ impl<'bytes> SettableValue<[u8]> for &'bytes [u8] {
     }
 }
 
-impl<'a, const N: usize> SettableValue<[u8]> for &'a [u8; N] {
+impl<const N: usize> SettableValue<[u8]> for &'_ [u8; N] {
     // forward to `self[..]`
     impl_forwarding_settable_value!([u8], self => &self[..]);
 }
@@ -427,6 +430,12 @@ impl<'msg> From<&'msg ProtoStr> for &'msg [u8] {
     }
 }
 
+impl<'msg> From<&'msg str> for &'msg ProtoStr {
+    fn from(val: &'msg str) -> &'msg ProtoStr {
+        ProtoStr::from_str(val)
+    }
+}
+
 impl<'msg> TryFrom<&'msg ProtoStr> for &'msg str {
     type Error = Utf8Error;
 
@@ -435,6 +444,14 @@ impl<'msg> TryFrom<&'msg ProtoStr> for &'msg str {
     }
 }
 
+impl<'msg> TryFrom<&'msg [u8]> for &'msg ProtoStr {
+    type Error = Utf8Error;
+
+    fn try_from(val: &'msg [u8]) -> Result<&'msg ProtoStr, Utf8Error> {
+        Ok(ProtoStr::from_str(std::str::from_utf8(val)?))
+    }
+}
+
 impl fmt::Debug for ProtoStr {
     fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
         fmt::Debug::fmt(&Utf8Chunks::new(self.as_bytes()).debug(), f)
@@ -455,7 +472,306 @@ impl fmt::Display for ProtoStr {
     }
 }
 
-// TODO(b/285309330): Add `ProtoStrMut`
+impl Hash for ProtoStr {
+    fn hash<H: Hasher>(&self, state: &mut H) {
+        self.as_bytes().hash(state)
+    }
+}
+
+impl Eq for ProtoStr {}
+impl Ord for ProtoStr {
+    fn cmp(&self, other: &ProtoStr) -> Ordering {
+        self.as_bytes().cmp(other.as_bytes())
+    }
+}
+
+impl Proxied for ProtoStr {
+    type View<'msg> = &'msg ProtoStr;
+    type Mut<'msg> = ProtoStrMut<'msg>;
+}
+
+impl ProxiedWithPresence for ProtoStr {
+    type PresentMutData<'msg> = StrPresentMutData<'msg>;
+    type AbsentMutData<'msg> = StrAbsentMutData<'msg>;
+
+    fn clear_present_field(present_mutator: Self::PresentMutData<'_>) -> Self::AbsentMutData<'_> {
+        StrAbsentMutData(present_mutator.0.clear())
+    }
+
+    fn set_absent_to_default(absent_mutator: Self::AbsentMutData<'_>) -> Self::PresentMutData<'_> {
+        StrPresentMutData(absent_mutator.0.set_absent_to_default())
+    }
+}
+
+impl<'msg> ViewProxy<'msg> for &'msg ProtoStr {
+    type Proxied = ProtoStr;
+
+    fn as_view(&self) -> &ProtoStr {
+        self
+    }
+
+    fn into_view<'shorter>(self) -> &'shorter ProtoStr
+    where
+        'msg: 'shorter,
+    {
+        self
+    }
+}
+
+/// Non-exported newtype for `ProxiedWithPresence::PresentData`
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct StrPresentMutData<'msg>(BytesPresentMutData<'msg>);
+
+impl<'msg> ViewProxy<'msg> for StrPresentMutData<'msg> {
+    type Proxied = ProtoStr;
+
+    fn as_view(&self) -> View<'_, ProtoStr> {
+        // SAFETY: The `ProtoStr` API guards against non-UTF-8 data. The runtime does
+        // not require `ProtoStr` to be UTF-8 if it could be mutated outside of these
+        // guards, such as through FFI.
+        unsafe { ProtoStr::from_utf8_unchecked(self.0.as_view()) }
+    }
+
+    fn into_view<'shorter>(self) -> View<'shorter, ProtoStr>
+    where
+        'msg: 'shorter,
+    {
+        // SAFETY: The `ProtoStr` API guards against non-UTF-8 data. The runtime does
+        // not require `ProtoStr` to be UTF-8 if it could be mutated outside of these
+        // guards, such as through FFI.
+        unsafe { ProtoStr::from_utf8_unchecked(self.0.into_view()) }
+    }
+}
+
+impl<'msg> MutProxy<'msg> for StrPresentMutData<'msg> {
+    fn as_mut(&mut self) -> Mut<'_, ProtoStr> {
+        ProtoStrMut { bytes: self.0.as_mut() }
+    }
+
+    fn into_mut<'shorter>(self) -> Mut<'shorter, ProtoStr>
+    where
+        'msg: 'shorter,
+    {
+        ProtoStrMut { bytes: self.0.into_mut() }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Non-exported newtype for `ProxiedWithPresence::AbsentData`
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct StrAbsentMutData<'msg>(BytesAbsentMutData<'msg>);
+
+impl<'msg> ViewProxy<'msg> for StrAbsentMutData<'msg> {
+    type Proxied = ProtoStr;
+
+    fn as_view(&self) -> View<'_, ProtoStr> {
+        // SAFETY: The `ProtoStr` API guards against non-UTF-8 data. The runtime does
+        // not require `ProtoStr` to be UTF-8 if it could be mutated outside of these
+        // guards, such as through FFI.
+        unsafe { ProtoStr::from_utf8_unchecked(self.0.as_view()) }
+    }
+
+    fn into_view<'shorter>(self) -> View<'shorter, ProtoStr>
+    where
+        'msg: 'shorter,
+    {
+        // SAFETY: The `ProtoStr` API guards against non-UTF-8 data. The runtime does
+        // not require `ProtoStr` to be UTF-8 if it could be mutated outside of these
+        // guards, such as through FFI.
+        unsafe { ProtoStr::from_utf8_unchecked(self.0.into_view()) }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct ProtoStrMut<'msg> {
+    bytes: BytesMut<'msg>,
+}
+
+impl<'msg> ProtoStrMut<'msg> {
+    /// Constructs a new `ProtoStrMut` from its internal, runtime-dependent
+    /// part.
+    #[doc(hidden)]
+    pub fn from_inner(_private: Private, inner: InnerBytesMut<'msg>) -> Self {
+        Self { bytes: BytesMut { inner } }
+    }
+
+    /// Converts a `bytes` `FieldEntry` into a `string` one. Used by gencode.
+    #[doc(hidden)]
+    pub fn field_entry_from_bytes(
+        _private: Private,
+        field_entry: FieldEntry<'_, [u8]>,
+    ) -> FieldEntry<ProtoStr> {
+        match field_entry {
+            Optional::Set(present) => {
+                Optional::Set(PresentField::from_inner(Private, StrPresentMutData(present.inner)))
+            }
+            Optional::Unset(absent) => {
+                Optional::Unset(AbsentField::from_inner(Private, StrAbsentMutData(absent.inner)))
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Gets the current value of the field.
+    pub fn get(&self) -> &ProtoStr {
+        self.as_view()
+    }
+
+    /// Sets the string to the given `val`, cloning any borrowed data.
+    ///
+    /// This method accepts both owned and borrowed strings; if the runtime
+    /// supports it, an owned value will not reallocate when setting the
+    /// string.
+    pub fn set(&mut self, val: impl SettableValue<ProtoStr>) {
+        val.set_on(Private, MutProxy::as_mut(self))
+    }
+
+    /// Truncates the string.
+    ///
+    /// Has no effect if `new_len` is larger than the current `len`.
+    ///
+    /// If `new_len` does not lie on a UTF-8 `char` boundary, behavior is
+    /// runtime-dependent. If this occurs, the runtime may:
+    ///
+    /// - Panic
+    /// - Truncate the string further to be on a `char` boundary.
+    /// - Truncate to `new_len`, resulting in a `ProtoStr` with a non-UTF8 tail.
+    pub fn truncate(&mut self, new_len: usize) {
+        self.bytes.truncate(new_len)
+    }
+
+    /// Clears the string, setting it to the empty string.
+    ///
+    /// # Compared with `FieldEntry::clear`
+    ///
+    /// Note that this is different than marking an `optional string` field as
+    /// absent; if this cleared `string` is in an `optional`,
+    /// `FieldEntry::is_set` will still return `true` after this method is
+    /// invoked.
+    ///
+    /// This also means that if the field has a non-empty default,
+    /// `ProtoStrMut::clear` results in the accessor returning an empty string
+    /// while `FieldEntry::clear` results in the non-empty default.
+    ///
+    /// However, for a proto3 `string` that has implicit presence, there is no
+    /// distinction between these states: unset `string` is the same as empty
+    /// `string` and the default is always the empty string.
+    ///
+    /// In the C++ API, this is the difference between
+    /// `msg.clear_string_field()`
+    /// and `msg.mutable_string_field()->clear()`.
+    ///
+    /// Having the same name and signature as `FieldEntry::clear` makes code
+    /// that calls `field_mut().clear()` easier to migrate from implicit
+    /// to explicit presence.
+    pub fn clear(&mut self) {
+        self.truncate(0);
+    }
+}
+
+impl Deref for ProtoStrMut<'_> {
+    type Target = ProtoStr;
+    fn deref(&self) -> &ProtoStr {
+        self.as_view()
+    }
+}
+
+impl AsRef<ProtoStr> for ProtoStrMut<'_> {
+    fn as_ref(&self) -> &ProtoStr {
+        self.as_view()
+    }
+}
+
+impl AsRef<[u8]> for ProtoStrMut<'_> {
+    fn as_ref(&self) -> &[u8] {
+        self.as_view().as_bytes()
+    }
+}
+
+impl<'msg> ViewProxy<'msg> for ProtoStrMut<'msg> {
+    type Proxied = ProtoStr;
+
+    fn as_view(&self) -> &ProtoStr {
+        // SAFETY: The `ProtoStr` API guards against non-UTF-8 data. The runtime does
+        // not require `ProtoStr` to be UTF-8 if it could be mutated outside of these
+        // guards, such as through FFI.
+        unsafe { ProtoStr::from_utf8_unchecked(self.bytes.as_view()) }
+    }
+
+    fn into_view<'shorter>(self) -> &'shorter ProtoStr
+    where
+        'msg: 'shorter,
+    {
+        unsafe { ProtoStr::from_utf8_unchecked(self.bytes.into_view()) }
+    }
+}
+
+impl<'msg> MutProxy<'msg> for ProtoStrMut<'msg> {
+    fn as_mut(&mut self) -> ProtoStrMut<'_> {
+        ProtoStrMut { bytes: BytesMut { inner: self.bytes.inner } }
+    }
+
+    fn into_mut<'shorter>(self) -> ProtoStrMut<'shorter>
+    where
+        'msg: 'shorter,
+    {
+        ProtoStrMut { bytes: BytesMut { inner: self.bytes.inner } }
+    }
+}
+
+impl SettableValue<ProtoStr> for &'_ ProtoStr {
+    fn set_on(self, _private: Private, mutator: ProtoStrMut<'_>) {
+        // SAFETY: A `ProtoStr` has the same UTF-8 validity requirement as the runtime.
+        unsafe { mutator.bytes.inner.set(self.as_bytes()) }
+    }
+
+    fn set_on_absent(
+        self,
+        _private: Private,
+        absent_mutator: <ProtoStr as ProxiedWithPresence>::AbsentMutData<'_>,
+    ) -> <ProtoStr as ProxiedWithPresence>::PresentMutData<'_> {
+        // SAFETY: A `ProtoStr` has the same UTF-8 validity requirement as the runtime.
+        StrPresentMutData(unsafe { absent_mutator.0.set(self.as_bytes()) })
+    }
+
+    fn set_on_present(
+        self,
+        _private: Private,
+        present_mutator: <ProtoStr as ProxiedWithPresence>::PresentMutData<'_>,
+    ) {
+        // SAFETY: A `ProtoStr` has the same UTF-8 validity requirement as the runtime.
+        unsafe {
+            present_mutator.0.set(self.as_bytes());
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl SettableValue<ProtoStr> for &'_ str {
+    impl_forwarding_settable_value!(ProtoStr, self => ProtoStr::from_str(self));
+}
+
+impl SettableValue<ProtoStr> for String {
+    // TODO(b/293956360): Investigate taking ownership of this when allowed by the
+    // runtime.
+    impl_forwarding_settable_value!(ProtoStr, self => ProtoStr::from_str(&self));
+}
+
+impl SettableValue<ProtoStr> for Cow<'_, str> {
+    // TODO(b/293956360): Investigate taking ownership of this when allowed by the
+    // runtime.
+    impl_forwarding_settable_value!(ProtoStr, self => ProtoStr::from_str(&self));
+}
+
+impl Hash for ProtoStrMut<'_> {
+    fn hash<H: Hasher>(&self, state: &mut H) {
+        self.deref().hash(state)
+    }
+}
+
+impl Eq for ProtoStrMut<'_> {}
+impl<'msg> Ord for ProtoStrMut<'msg> {
+    fn cmp(&self, other: &ProtoStrMut<'msg>) -> Ordering {
+        self.deref().cmp(other.deref())
+    }
+}
 
 /// Implements `PartialCmp` and `PartialEq` for the `lhs` against the `rhs`
 /// using `AsRef<[u8]>`.
@@ -493,12 +809,19 @@ impl_bytes_partial_cmp!(
 
     // `ProtoStr` against protobuf types
     <()> ProtoStr => ProtoStr,
+    <('a)> ProtoStr => ProtoStrMut<'a>,
 
     // `ProtoStr` against foreign types
     <()> ProtoStr => str,
     <()> str => ProtoStr,
 
-    // TODO(b/285309330): `ProtoStrMut` impls
+    // `ProtoStrMut` against protobuf types
+    <('a, 'b)> ProtoStrMut<'a> => ProtoStrMut<'b>,
+    <('a)> ProtoStrMut<'a> => ProtoStr,
+
+    // `ProtoStrMut` against foreign types
+    <('a)> ProtoStrMut<'a> => str,
+    <('a)> str => ProtoStrMut<'a>,
 );
 
 #[cfg(test)]
diff --git a/rust/test/shared/accessors_proto3_test.rs b/rust/test/shared/accessors_proto3_test.rs
index 4e8f55eb7d..6228523b80 100644
--- a/rust/test/shared/accessors_proto3_test.rs
+++ b/rust/test/shared/accessors_proto3_test.rs
@@ -49,8 +49,8 @@ fn test_fixed32_accessors() {
 #[test]
 fn test_bytes_accessors() {
     let mut msg = TestAllTypes::new();
-    // Note: even though its named 'optional_bytes' the field is actually not proto3
-    // optional, so it does not support presence.
+    // Note: even though it's named 'optional_bytes', the field is actually not
+    // proto3 optional, so it does not support presence.
     assert_eq!(msg.optional_bytes(), b"");
     assert_eq!(msg.optional_bytes_mut().get(), b"");
 
@@ -120,6 +120,73 @@ fn test_optional_bytes_accessors() {
     assert_eq!(msg.optional_bytes_mut().or_default().get(), b"\xffbinary\x85non-utf8");
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn test_string_accessors() {
+    let mut msg = TestAllTypes::new();
+    // Note: even though it's named 'optional_string', the field is actually not
+    // proto3 optional, so it does not support presence.
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_mut().get(), "");
+
+    msg.optional_string_mut().set("accessors_test");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "accessors_test");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_mut().get(), "accessors_test");
+
+    {
+        let s = String::from("hello world");
+        msg.optional_string_mut().set(&s[..]);
+    }
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "hello world");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_mut().get(), "hello world");
+
+    msg.optional_string_mut().clear();
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_mut().get(), "");
+
+    msg.optional_string_mut().set("");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_mut().get(), "");
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_optional_string_accessors() {
+    let mut msg = TestProto3Optional::new();
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_opt(), Optional::Unset("".into()));
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_mut().get(), "");
+    assert!(msg.optional_string_mut().is_unset());
+
+    {
+        let s = String::from("hello world");
+        msg.optional_string_mut().set(&s[..]);
+    }
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "hello world");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_opt(), Optional::Set("hello world".into()));
+    assert!(msg.optional_string_mut().is_set());
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_mut().get(), "hello world");
+
+    msg.optional_string_mut().or_default().set("accessors_test");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "accessors_test");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_opt(), Optional::Set("accessors_test".into()));
+    assert!(msg.optional_string_mut().is_set());
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_mut().get(), "accessors_test");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_mut().or_default().get(), "accessors_test");
+
+    msg.optional_string_mut().clear();
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_opt(), Optional::Unset("".into()));
+    assert!(msg.optional_string_mut().is_unset());
+
+    msg.optional_string_mut().set("");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_opt(), Optional::Set("".into()));
+
+    msg.optional_string_mut().clear();
+    msg.optional_string_mut().or_default();
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_opt(), Optional::Set("".into()));
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn test_oneof_accessors() {
     let mut msg = TestAllTypes::new();
diff --git a/rust/test/shared/accessors_test.rs b/rust/test/shared/accessors_test.rs
index 4bedb53bc9..c323eee631 100644
--- a/rust/test/shared/accessors_test.rs
+++ b/rust/test/shared/accessors_test.rs
@@ -307,6 +307,84 @@ fn test_nonempty_default_bytes_accessors() {
     assert_eq!(msg.default_bytes_mut().or_default().get(), b"\xffbinary\x85non-utf8");
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn test_optional_string_accessors() {
+    let mut msg = TestAllTypes::new();
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_opt(), Optional::Unset("".into()));
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_mut().get(), "");
+    assert!(msg.optional_string_mut().is_unset());
+
+    {
+        let s = String::from("hello world");
+        msg.optional_string_mut().set(&s[..]);
+    }
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "hello world");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_opt(), Optional::Set("hello world".into()));
+    assert!(msg.optional_string_mut().is_set());
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_mut().get(), "hello world");
+
+    msg.optional_string_mut().or_default().set("accessors_test");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "accessors_test");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_opt(), Optional::Set("accessors_test".into()));
+    assert!(msg.optional_string_mut().is_set());
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_mut().get(), "accessors_test");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_mut().or_default().get(), "accessors_test");
+
+    msg.optional_string_mut().clear();
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_opt(), Optional::Unset("".into()));
+    assert!(msg.optional_string_mut().is_unset());
+
+    msg.optional_string_mut().set("");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_opt(), Optional::Set("".into()));
+
+    msg.optional_string_mut().clear();
+    msg.optional_string_mut().or_default();
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string(), "");
+    assert_eq!(msg.optional_string_opt(), Optional::Set("".into()));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_nonempty_default_string_accessors() {
+    let mut msg = TestAllTypes::new();
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string(), "hello");
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string_opt(), Optional::Unset("hello".into()));
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string_mut().get(), "hello");
+    assert!(msg.default_string_mut().is_unset());
+
+    {
+        let s = String::from("hello world");
+        msg.default_string_mut().set(&s[..]);
+    }
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string(), "hello world");
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string_opt(), Optional::Set("hello world".into()));
+    assert!(msg.default_string_mut().is_set());
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string_mut().get(), "hello world");
+
+    msg.default_string_mut().or_default().set("accessors_test");
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string(), "accessors_test");
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string_opt(), Optional::Set("accessors_test".into()));
+    assert!(msg.default_string_mut().is_set());
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string_mut().get(), "accessors_test");
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string_mut().or_default().get(), "accessors_test");
+
+    msg.default_string_mut().clear();
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string(), "hello");
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string_opt(), Optional::Unset("hello".into()));
+    assert!(msg.default_string_mut().is_unset());
+
+    msg.default_string_mut().set("");
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string(), "");
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string_opt(), Optional::Set("".into()));
+
+    msg.default_string_mut().clear();
+    msg.default_string_mut().or_default();
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string(), "hello");
+    assert_eq!(msg.default_string_opt(), Optional::Set("hello".into()));
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn test_singular_msg_field() {
     let msg = TestAllTypes::new();
diff --git a/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/BUILD.bazel b/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/BUILD.bazel
index cda89d786a..f404beae97 100644
--- a/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/BUILD.bazel
+++ b/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/BUILD.bazel
@@ -51,9 +51,9 @@ cc_library(
     name = "accessors",
     srcs = [
         "accessors/accessors.cc",
-        "accessors/singular_bytes.cc",
         "accessors/singular_message.cc",
         "accessors/singular_scalar.cc",
+        "accessors/singular_string.cc",
         "accessors/unsupported_field.cc",
     ],
     hdrs = [
diff --git a/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/accessors/accessor_generator.h b/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/accessors/accessor_generator.h
index 87e8ed886a..16808a16f9 100644
--- a/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/accessors/accessor_generator.h
+++ b/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/accessors/accessor_generator.h
@@ -93,9 +93,9 @@ class SingularScalar final : public AccessorGenerator {
   void InThunkCc(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const override;
 };
 
-class SingularBytes final : public AccessorGenerator {
+class SingularString final : public AccessorGenerator {
  public:
-  ~SingularBytes() override = default;
+  ~SingularString() override = default;
   void InMsgImpl(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const override;
   void InExternC(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const override;
   void InThunkCc(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const override;
diff --git a/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/accessors/accessors.cc b/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/accessors/accessors.cc
index 1ca22f1dd6..15caa16518 100644
--- a/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/accessors/accessors.cc
+++ b/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/accessors/accessors.cc
@@ -72,7 +72,8 @@ std::unique_ptr<AccessorGenerator> AccessorGeneratorFor(
     case FieldDescriptor::TYPE_BOOL:
       return std::make_unique<SingularScalar>();
     case FieldDescriptor::TYPE_BYTES:
-      return std::make_unique<SingularBytes>();
+    case FieldDescriptor::TYPE_STRING:
+      return std::make_unique<SingularString>();
     case FieldDescriptor::TYPE_MESSAGE:
       return std::make_unique<SingularMessage>();
 
diff --git a/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/accessors/singular_bytes.cc b/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/accessors/singular_string.cc
similarity index 74%
rename from src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/accessors/singular_bytes.cc
rename to src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/accessors/singular_string.cc
index 089ff63467..02e47f7f38 100644
--- a/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/accessors/singular_bytes.cc
+++ b/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/accessors/singular_string.cc
@@ -43,27 +43,42 @@ namespace protobuf {
 namespace compiler {
 namespace rust {
 
-void SingularBytes::InMsgImpl(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
+void SingularString::InMsgImpl(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
   std::string hazzer_thunk = Thunk(field, "has");
   std::string getter_thunk = Thunk(field, "get");
   std::string setter_thunk = Thunk(field, "set");
+  std::string proxied_type = PrimitiveRsTypeName(field.desc());
+  auto transform_view = [&] {
+    if (field.desc().type() == FieldDescriptor::TYPE_STRING) {
+      field.Emit(R"rs(
+        // SAFETY: The runtime doesn't require ProtoStr to be UTF-8.
+        unsafe { $pb$::ProtoStr::from_utf8_unchecked(view) }
+      )rs");
+    } else {
+      field.Emit("view");
+    }
+  };
   field.Emit(
       {
           {"field", field.desc().name()},
           {"hazzer_thunk", hazzer_thunk},
           {"getter_thunk", getter_thunk},
           {"setter_thunk", setter_thunk},
+          {"proxied_type", proxied_type},
+          {"transform_view", transform_view},
           {"field_optional_getter",
            [&] {
              if (!field.desc().is_optional()) return;
              if (!field.desc().has_presence()) return;
              field.Emit({{"hazzer_thunk", hazzer_thunk},
-                         {"getter_thunk", getter_thunk}},
+                         {"getter_thunk", getter_thunk},
+                         {"transform_view", transform_view}},
                         R"rs(
-            pub fn $field$_opt(&self) -> $pb$::Optional<&[u8]> {
+            pub fn $field$_opt(&self) -> $pb$::Optional<&$proxied_type$> {
               unsafe {
+                let view = $getter_thunk$(self.inner.msg).as_ref();
                 $pb$::Optional::new(
-                  $getter_thunk$(self.inner.msg).as_ref(),
+                  $transform_view$ ,
                   $hazzer_thunk$(self.inner.msg)
                 )
               }
@@ -76,15 +91,30 @@ void SingularBytes::InMsgImpl(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
                field.Emit(
                    {
                        {"field", field.desc().name()},
+                       {"proxied_type", proxied_type},
                        {"default_val",
                         absl::CHexEscape(field.desc().default_value_string())},
+                       {"view_type", proxied_type},
+                       {"transform_field_entry",
+                        [&] {
+                          if (field.desc().type() ==
+                              FieldDescriptor::TYPE_STRING) {
+                            field.Emit(R"rs(
+                              $pb$::ProtoStrMut::field_entry_from_bytes(
+                                $pbi$::Private, out
+                              )
+                            )rs");
+                          } else {
+                            field.Emit("out");
+                          }
+                        }},
                        {"hazzer_thunk", hazzer_thunk},
                        {"getter_thunk", getter_thunk},
                        {"setter_thunk", setter_thunk},
                        {"clearer_thunk", Thunk(field, "clear")},
                    },
                    R"rs(
-            pub fn $field$_mut(&mut self) -> $pb$::FieldEntry<'_, [u8]> {
+            pub fn $field$_mut(&mut self) -> $pb$::FieldEntry<'_, $proxied_type$> {
               static VTABLE: $pbi$::BytesOptionalMutVTable = unsafe {
                 $pbi$::BytesOptionalMutVTable::new(
                   $pbi$::Private,
@@ -94,7 +124,7 @@ void SingularBytes::InMsgImpl(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
                   b"$default_val$",
                 )
               };
-              unsafe {
+              let out = unsafe {
                 let has = $hazzer_thunk$(self.inner.msg);
                 $pbi$::new_vtable_field_entry(
                   $pbi$::Private,
@@ -103,15 +133,17 @@ void SingularBytes::InMsgImpl(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
                   &VTABLE,
                   has,
                 )
-              }
+              };
+              $transform_field_entry$
             }
           )rs");
              } else {
                field.Emit({{"field", field.desc().name()},
+                           {"proxied_type", proxied_type},
                            {"getter_thunk", getter_thunk},
                            {"setter_thunk", setter_thunk}},
                           R"rs(
-              pub fn $field$_mut(&mut self) -> $pb$::BytesMut<'_> {
+              pub fn $field$_mut(&mut self) -> $pb$::Mut<'_, $proxied_type$> {
                 static VTABLE: $pbi$::BytesMutVTable = unsafe {
                   $pbi$::BytesMutVTable::new(
                     $pbi$::Private,
@@ -120,7 +152,7 @@ void SingularBytes::InMsgImpl(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
                   )
                 };
                 unsafe {
-                  $pb$::BytesMut::from_inner(
+                  <$pb$::Mut<$proxied_type$>>::from_inner(
                     $pbi$::Private,
                     $pbi$::RawVTableMutator::new(
                       $pbi$::Private,
@@ -136,10 +168,9 @@ void SingularBytes::InMsgImpl(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
            }},
       },
       R"rs(
-        pub fn r#$field$(&self) -> &[u8] {
-          unsafe {
-            $getter_thunk$(self.inner.msg).as_ref()
-          }
+        pub fn r#$field$(&self) -> &$proxied_type$ {
+          let view = unsafe { $getter_thunk$(self.inner.msg).as_ref() };
+          $transform_view$
         }
 
         $field_optional_getter$
@@ -147,7 +178,7 @@ void SingularBytes::InMsgImpl(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
       )rs");
 }
 
-void SingularBytes::InExternC(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
+void SingularString::InExternC(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
   field.Emit({{"hazzer_thunk", Thunk(field, "has")},
               {"getter_thunk", Thunk(field, "get")},
               {"setter_thunk", Thunk(field, "set")},
@@ -156,8 +187,8 @@ void SingularBytes::InExternC(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
                [&] {
                  if (field.desc().has_presence()) {
                    field.Emit(R"rs(
-          fn $hazzer_thunk$(raw_msg: $pbi$::RawMessage) -> bool;
-        )rs");
+                     fn $hazzer_thunk$(raw_msg: $pbi$::RawMessage) -> bool;
+                   )rs");
                  }
                }}},
              R"rs(
@@ -168,8 +199,8 @@ void SingularBytes::InExternC(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
         )rs");
 }
 
-void SingularBytes::InThunkCc(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
-  field.Emit({{"field", field.desc().name()},
+void SingularString::InThunkCc(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
+  field.Emit({{"field", cpp::FieldName(&field.desc())},
               {"QualifiedMsg",
                cpp::QualifiedClassName(field.desc().containing_type())},
               {"hazzer_thunk", Thunk(field, "has")},
@@ -182,7 +213,9 @@ void SingularBytes::InThunkCc(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
                    field.Emit(R"cc(
                      bool $hazzer_thunk$($QualifiedMsg$* msg) {
                        return msg->has_$field$();
-                     })cc");
+                     }
+                     void $clearer_thunk$($QualifiedMsg$* msg) { msg->clear_$field$(); }
+                   )cc");
                  }
                }}},
              R"cc(
@@ -194,7 +227,6 @@ void SingularBytes::InThunkCc(Context<FieldDescriptor> field) const {
                void $setter_thunk$($QualifiedMsg$* msg, const char* ptr, ::std::size_t size) {
                  msg->set_$field$(absl::string_view(ptr, size));
                }
-               void $clearer_thunk$($QualifiedMsg$* msg) { msg->clear_$field$(); }
              )cc");
 }
 
diff --git a/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/naming.cc b/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/naming.cc
index f686bcf877..e0821414ff 100644
--- a/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/naming.cc
+++ b/src/google/protobuf/compiler/rust/naming.cc
@@ -148,7 +148,9 @@ std::string PrimitiveRsTypeName(const FieldDescriptor& desc) {
     case FieldDescriptor::TYPE_DOUBLE:
       return "f64";
     case FieldDescriptor::TYPE_BYTES:
-      return "&[u8]";
+      return "[u8]";
+    case FieldDescriptor::TYPE_STRING:
+      return "::__pb::ProtoStr";
     default:
       break;
   }