Prime Minister Chính Commends Hanoi’s Socio-Economic Progress
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính praised the capital city of Hanoi for its robust socio-economic development, highlighted by a 6% growth in the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) during the first half of the year. The city also achieved a significant disbursement of public capital, reaching VNĐ23 trillion (US$917.79 million) by the end of July, alongside a 10.8% increase in export revenue, totaling $10.4 billion.
During a working session with the Standing Board of the municipal Party Committee, PM Chính expressed his admiration for the city’s solidarity and unity, which he attributed to the guiding principles set forth by the late Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng: “superior-subordinate unanimity,” “one voice speaks, a hundred respond,” and “one mind from top to bottom.” He also praised the city’s adherence to the motto, “resources come from sharp minds, motives from renewal, and strength from the people and businesses.”
The Prime Minister acknowledged the diligent efforts of the local Party Committee, administration, military, and residents, noting that Hanoi’s economy has continued to recover and develop robustly. He emphasized that mechanisms for the socialist-oriented market economy have been effectively implemented, and that the city has made significant progress in cultural and human development, ensuring defense-security, maintaining social order, and advancing foreign relations and international integration.
However, PM Chính also highlighted several challenges facing Hanoi, including lower-than-targeted GRDP growth, environmental pollution, traffic congestion, and the management of residence and foreigners. He urged the city, as the heart of the country and a hub for political, cultural, scientific, educational, economic, and international exchange, to devise breakthrough measures to navigate the complex and unpredictable regional and global situations impacting the nation’s socio-economic landscape.
The Prime Minister outlined five key “focuses” for Hanoi’s development: ensuring macro-economic stability, boosting economic growth, curbing inflation, and maintaining major balances; addressing difficulties in production and business while mobilizing resources for development; advancing administrative reform; ensuring social security; and developing a culture befitting the city’s rich historical and cultural traditions.
In terms of immediate tasks, PM Chính emphasized the need for Hanoi to continue accelerating public capital disbursement, renewing traditional growth drivers such as investment, export, and consumption, and fostering new growth drivers, particularly in the green, digital, circular, intellectual, and sharing economies. He called on the city to lead in innovation, capitalizing on the fourth industrial revolution to build a smart city, improve its provincial competitiveness index, and address pressing issues related to transport, healthcare, education, environment, and social security.
Hanoi must also focus on strengthening production and business, reviewing its work in culture and sports, building a strong and united Party and political system, and completing policies and regulations to implement the revised Capital Law. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of preventing corruption, ensuring defense, security, and safety, and enhancing foreign economic affairs and international integration.
Leaders of Hanoi proposed that the Government and the Prime Minister provide guidance on several key issues, including the implementation of the revised Capital Law, investment incentives for high-tech projects, and the approval of the masterplan for Hanoi. They also suggested piloting smart urban area development in select locations.
PM Chính agreed with these recommendations and instructed the Government’s Office to collaborate with relevant ministries, sectors, and agencies to address them.
According to the municipal Party Committee, Hanoi has made significant strides in administrative reform, digital transformation, and the development of the digital economy and society. The city aims to complete approximately 16,000 social housing units during 2021-2025 and has allocated nearly VNĐ50 trillion for culture, education, and the preservation of historical relic sites. Additionally, Hanoi completed the construction of new-style rural areas two years ahead of schedule and allocated nearly VNĐ1.6 trillion for the sustainable poverty alleviation program, reducing the poverty rate to 0.03%.
