Tô Lâm Calls for Culture, Identity and Creativity to Drive Hanoi’s Development Vision

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Party General Secretary Tô Lâm has underscored that Hà Nội’s “time-honoured culture, identity and creativity” must form the core of all development strategies, serving as intrinsic resources and the backbone of the capital’s resilience, intellect and leadership in the new era.

He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing the opening session of the 18th Hà Nội Party Congress for the 2025–2030 tenure, attended by 550 delegates representing nearly half a million Party members from 136 Party organisations under the Hà Nội Party Committee.

Describing the congress as “a particularly significant political event” for both the capital and the country, the Party leader said it offers an opportunity for reflection, setting new directions and generating momentum for the city’s growth in the coming years.

Acknowledging that both the nation and the capital are entering a new period filled with opportunities and challenges, General Secretary Lâm urged the city’s Party organisation, authorities and citizens to fully grasp Hà Nội’s unique position as the country’s political and cultural centre and to live up to the expectations of Hanoians and the entire nation.

He called for a holistic vision in which ideology, institutions, spatial planning, the economy and human resources form a coherent and sustainable development framework. The most decisive breakthrough, he stressed, lies in building a pure, strong and exemplary Party organisation and political system that acts responsibly towards the people.

General Secretary Lâm instructed the Hà Nội Party Committee to intensify efforts against corruption, wastefulness and misconduct; uphold self-criticism, unity and discipline; fortify the bond between the Party and the people; and enhance the effectiveness of the two-tier government by adopting a creative, service-oriented mindset marked by decentralisation, accountability and transparency.

Envisioning Hà Nội as a city of deep-rooted culture, distinct identity and limitless creativity, he expressed his aspiration to see it evolve into a “civilised, modern and sustainable capital” with contemporary wisdom and international stature.

He stressed that culture is the essence of national wisdom, nurturing trust and resilience; identity represents a competitive advantage ensuring the city retains its historic soul while driving knowledge-based growth; and creativity serves as the driving force transforming heritage into dynamic value, enriching Hà Nội’s material and intellectual legacy.

According to the Party chief, development strategies must ensure harmony among culture, space, economy and people, with every decision and investment sustaining traditional values, fostering future-oriented cultural spaces and promoting innovation.

He proposed the establishment of “creative nodes” across the city—dynamic intersections of heritage, knowledge and technology—to channel creative energy into cultural and innovative hubs.

This vision, he said, would be realised through the creation of three “creative poles” that will drive Hà Nội’s development:

• The Heritage Pole, centred on the historic inner city and Red River waterfront, to preserve and revitalise the capital’s cultural and historical heart;
• The Knowledge Pole, encompassing Việt Nam National University and other major academic and research institutions, to foster intellectual growth and innovation; and
• The Technology Pole, focused on the Hòa Lạc High-Tech Park and surrounding innovation zones, to promote technological advancement and modern industry.

Together, these three poles will form a unified creative ecosystem, harmoniously blending history, intellect and technology to shape a dynamic, forward-looking metropolis.

General Secretary Lâm also identified four enduring challenges confronting the capital—traffic congestion, urban disorder, pollution and flooding—and called for a transformation “from management to creation, from fragmentation to integration, and from short-term fixes to sustainable solutions.”

He urged the city to transition from a “single-pole” model to a “multi-pole, multi-centre” urban structure, redistributing functions from the overloaded inner core to decentralised yet interconnected centres, each serving distinct purposes within a unified urban system.

The Party leader also proposed positioning Hà Nội as a national hub for scientific research, technology and innovation—a centre for policy development, technological advancement, and talent cultivation—working in tandem with Ho Chi Minh City as dual engines of innovation for the nation.

He emphasised that the capital must ensure that every citizen has opportunities to learn, innovate, start businesses and contribute to society, supported by comprehensive welfare systems guaranteeing access to healthcare, education, housing, employment, and cultural life.

“When people are fully developed, society becomes truly just, creative and happy,” he affirmed, highlighting that human development is central to Hà Nội’s growth—not only in skills, dignity and quality of life, but also in civic ethics and cultural behaviour.

Concluding his address, General Secretary Lâm called on Hà Nội to remain a steadfast political and security stronghold while deepening international cooperation and actively engaging in global networks of green, smart and creative cities.