Seventy years ago, on May 13, 1955, Hai Phong was fully liberated from French colonial rule. President Ho Chi Minh wrote in Nhan Dan Newspaper, issue No. 441, dated May 18, 1955:
"After more than 80 years of humiliation, Hai Phong has now risen and been liberated. Across the city, red flags with yellow stars flutter brightly like flowers in spring. Tens of thousands of people — old and young, men and women, from all walks of life — have poured into the streets to welcome the army and officials. Joy radiated from every face, like spring flowers blooming. Years of hardship, unity, and fighting have culminated in glorious success: the North is fully liberated, Hai Phong is completely free!”
Seventy years of radiant victories
Over the past seven decades, the Party, authorities, armed forces and people of Hai Phong have made unrelenting efforts — heroic in wartime, dynamic in peacetime — to build the city into one of the key growth poles in the Northern Key Economic Region and of the country as a whole.
Immediately after liberation, Hai Phong quickly addressed the aftermath of war, focusing on restoring and developing production, rebuilding infrastructure, and improving people's livelihoods.
Especially during the resistance war against the US, Hai Phong has promoted economic development and fulfilled its critical role as the sole international gateway of North Viet Nam, receiving international aid through Hai Phong Port. At the same time, the city stood firm against fierce air and naval attacks, maintaining vital transport routes, and taking on the pivotal role of the major rear base for the southern front via the Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail.
From 1965 to 1975, alongside Ha Noi and other northern provinces, Hai Phong’s armed forces and people courageously fought back, defeating the US's destructive war in the North, forcing them to sign the Paris Agreement in 1973, and contributing to the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, the liberation of the South, and the reunification of the nation.
In resisting US aerial and naval attacks, Hai Phong’s armed forces and people shot down 317 US aircraft, including five B-52 bombers, destroyed numerous warships, and defused nearly 900 bombs and mines, thwarting the enemy’s blockade attempt of Hai Phong Port.
In recognition of these achievements, Hai Phong was honoured with the Gold Star Order and many other prestigious awards by the party and state. President Ho Chi Minh sent letters of commendation to the city’s armed forces and people on three occasions.
During the post-war period of economic recovery and development, Hai Phong has consistently led national patriotic emulation movements.
Over the past 70 years, the party, authorities, armed forces and people of Hai Phong have made unrelenting efforts — heroic in wartime, dynamic in peacetime — to build the city into one of the key growth poles in the Northern Key Economic Region and of the country as a whole.
As of the end of 2024, Hai Phong’s economy achieved a growth rate of 11.01%, ranking third nationwide and becoming the only locality to maintain double-digit growth for ten consecutive years. In 2024, the port city also entered the top five largest economies in the country.
Furthermore, a host of key infrastructure projects and major transportation developments were completed; several deep-water ports, economic zones, and new industrial parks were established, attracting thousands of domestic and international enterprises with investments exceeding 34 billion USD and hundreds of trillions of dong in production and business development. Hai Phong has become a modern industrial production hub, a logistics centre, a key transportation gateway, and the primary seaport of the Northern Key Economic Region.
Also in 2024, Hai Phong topped all three of the country’s major reform indices: the Provincial Competitiveness Index (CPI), the Public Administration Reform Index (PAR Index), and the Satisfaction Index of Public Administration Services (SIPAS). With these results, Hai Phong has emerged as a new model for modern urban governance, enabling a breakthrough in development and affirming its aspiration to reach international stature.
The positive results in Hai Phong’s socio-economic development were acknowledged and highly appreciated by General Secretary To Lam during his visit to the city on November 14, 2024. He noted that Hai Phong had achieved accomplishments many other localities had not, despite sharing the same institutional conditions. These achievements are attributed to the city’s Party Committee and authorities for instilling a spirit of “daring to think, daring to do” and for promoting the potential, determination, intelligence and boldness that are the hallmark of Hai Phong’s people.
Confidently entering a new era
Comrade Le Tien Chau, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Hai Phong Municipal Party Committee, stated that 2025 is a significant milestone in implementing reforms to streamline the political system’s organisational apparatus, preparing for party congresses at all levels toward the 14th National Party Congress, and laying a firm foundation for Viet Nam to enter a new era of prosperous development.
In 2025, Hai Phong aims to achieve an economic growth rate of 12.5%, contributing positively to the national growth target of 8% or more set by the government. This important goal not only reflects the Central Government’s trust and expectations but also affirms the city’s responsibility in contributing to the country’s overall development.
As a leading centre for industry, seaports, and logistics in the north and nationwide, Hai Phong must take the lead and act with greater urgency. This is an opportunity for the city to redefine its development strategy — not chasing growth at any cost, but focusing on quality, depth, and sustainability.
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| Key transport interchange on a major route connecting Hai Phong with Ha Noi and northern provinces. (Photo: DAM THANH) |
Nguyen Van Tung, Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee, stated that to reach a GRDP growth rate of 12.5% in 2025, and to aim for an average economic growth rate of 15.65% or more during 2026–2030, the city needs the collective unity and determination of the entire political system, all social sectors, and especially the business community.
Hai Phong has developed detailed growth scenarios by month and quarter, assigning growth targets to each sector and locality. Specific targets for 2025 include: a 17% increase in the Industrial Production Index (IIP); over 118 trillion VND in state budget revenue; 37 billion USD in export turnover; 4.5 billion USD in FDI attraction; and 10 million tourist arrivals.
In recent years, the city has prioritised regional connectivity and improved the investment environment, becoming a bright spot for investment attraction. Mr Bruno Jaspaert, Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (EuroCham), assessed that Hai Phong holds many advantages for enterprises to invest and thrive, with convenient transport infrastructure, abundant human resources, and well-equipped modern industrial zones.
City leaders have consistently demonstrated a business-friendly approach towards FDI enterprises, showing great support and creating the most favourable conditions for investment and business development.
This is evident in the swift processing of investment licences, timely support in resolving project-related issues, responsiveness in times of natural disaster, and a deep commitment to viewing businesses — including FDI firms — as integral to the city’s economy.
With its outstanding achievements throughout its glorious historical journey and the renewal era, on April 28, 2025, the President of Viet Nam signed Decision No. 766/QD-CTN conferring the title of “Hero City” upon the Party Committee, authorities, and people of Hai Phong. This is a well-deserved recognition of the unceasing efforts and significant contributions of the party, government, armed forces, and people of Hai Phong to the cause of national construction and defence. It also serves as fresh motivation for the city to continue advancing boldly and steadily into a new era of prosperous and powerful national development.
Together with decisive institutional reforms and the building of a streamlined, effective, and citizen-friendly administration, Hai Phong has also developed and proposed breakthrough policies and mechanisms to create new momentum for socio-economic growth. The city focuses on developing three main economic pillars: high-tech industry, seaports and logistics, and tourism and commerce.
To stimulate new growth drivers, the city is expanding its economic space by establishing new industrial zones and clusters and investing in modern transportation and urban infrastructure.
Hai Phong has also formed a southern coastal economic zone featuring deep-water ports and a new-generation free trade zone, aiming to strongly attract both domestic and international resources to realise its strategic goals.
With its outstanding achievements throughout its glorious historical journey and the renewal era, on April 28, 2025, the President of Viet Nam signed Decision No. 766/QD-CTN conferring the title of “Hero City” upon the Party Committee, authorities, and people of Hai Phong.
This is a well-deserved recognition of the unceasing efforts and significant contributions of the party, government, armed forces, and people of Hai Phong to the cause of national construction and defence. It also serves as fresh motivation for the city to continue advancing boldly and steadily into a new era of prosperous and powerful national development.
