HCM City’s GDP was estimated at nearly VND765 trillion (US$36 billion) in 2013, a year on year growth of 9.3% – 1.7 times higher than the national average. On the last day of 2013, the city authorities were pleased to announce that its total budget revenues totaled more than VND238 trillion (US$11 billion), exceeding by 1% the annual target and representing a 13% increase from 2012. Its GDP per capita has reached US$4,513, significantly higher than other localities across the country.
Thanks to the outstanding efforts of the entire political system and all social strata, the city has affirmed its leading position as a spearhead of the country’s economy in overcoming difficulties, controlling inflation, and maintaining reasonable socio-economic growth.
Were those who have long remained away from home to come back to HCM City in recent days, they would be amazed by the changes, with effective flyovers to ease traffic flow at gateways to the downtown area, with no more traffic jams during rush hours and not too much smoke and dust and with massive crowds at crossroads.
Not only focusing on economic growth and infrastructure development, the city shares its best wishes with the victims of floods and natural disasters in central region.
According to the municipal Fatherland Front Committee, on the last day of 2013, the city provided financial support worth VND10.6 billion to storm and flood-hit victims in the central provinces to prepare for the upcoming Lunar New Year.
Prior to that, from October 2 to December 27, HCM City contributed VND43 billion and 93 tonnes of aid packages to help those suffering damages from natural disasters, of which VND31.5 billion and more than 88 tonnes of food, clothing, blankets, and school supplies have been delivered to local people to restore production and stabilise their lives.
In addition to these material donations, the city brought spiritual gifts to people across the country. Its young citizens – with their Green Summer Campaign, Pink Holiday, and numerous other volunteer programmes – have helped care for pediatric cancer patients, solitary elderly people and underprivileged children.
The city has provided financial support to repair and upgrade housing for tenants, ensure better accommodation for workers and construct kindergartens at IPs and EPZs.
HCM City Labour Federation has provided around 8,000 coach tickets for workers returning home for Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday. The municipal Youth Union will offer 1,000 Tet tickets to young workers going home, and will present 2,000 gifts worth VND500,000 apiece to workers in difficult circumstances. In addition, the city also plans to organise 100 mobile sales trips and ten cultural and artistic programmes to serve workers at IPs and EPZs who do not return home to enjoy the 2014 Tet festival.
With its practical achievements in 2013, the modern Ho Chi Minh City is confidently stepping into the new year to achieve more success on its development path.
