Addressing the event, Lam hailed the Vietnamese soldiers for overcoming countless hardships, dangers, and challenges to write the golden pages of the nation's prolonged resistance war, creating the "Vietnamese standing posture" in the flow of history. During the difficult years of war, driven by their deep patriotism, courageous spirit, and steadfast determination, they rose above all losses and sacrifices, contributing significantly to the victory of the Vietnamese revolution.
Informing them of several issues that have drawn public concerns, including the policy to reorganise administrative units and build a two-level local administration model, the General Secretary affirmed that the Party Central Committee and its Politburo and Secretariat have thoroughly discussed, carefully evaluated, and considered various aspects to ultimately reach high consensus on the implementation of this policy, which has also gained support of the people nationwide, considering this truly a revolution.
After the reorganisation and mergence of the southern localities, from Binh Thuan southward, including Lam Dong and Dac Nong, the number of provinces and cities will decrease from 22 to 9, Lam said, noting that this will create a diverse development space in terms of nature, economy, and culture; and aims to generate new driving forces, new potential, and new spaces for development.
For Ho Chi Minh City alone, the top leader urged the municipal Party Organisation, administration and people to make more efforts and take more drastic actions to building the city into a civilised, modern metropolis with the role of a special urban area, leading the nation in industrialisation and modernisation, and making increasingly significant contributions to the region and the entire country.
He expressed his hope that the expanded Ho Chi Minh City, which will comprise the current Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces, will become a leading engine, a driving force that strongly propels development for the entire Southeastern, Southwestern, Central Highlands, and South Central regions. It will transform into an international megacity that leads the region, while also serving as a hub for comprehensive development, connecting the city with its surrounding areas. In this process, the southern localities will not only "accompany" the city but also proactively play the role of strategic partners in co-creating a shared socio-economic and cultural space.
The General Secretary highlighted the need to ensure the effective utilisation of high-quality human resources from all involved localities during the mergence process of provincial-level administrative units.
The appointment of officials must focus on selecting capable individuals, ensuring a balanced, harmonious, and united approach, Lam stated, adding that it is also crucial to fully exploit the talent and management experiences from various regions to maximise the potential of the new administrative units.
Due attention should be paid to ensuring comprehensive social welfare, and making sure no one is left behind in the development process, with priority given to narrowing the development gaps between regions, especially newly-merged areas and disadvantaged ones.
It is also necessary to strictly protect natural resources and the ecological environment, particularly in provinces that have both forests and sea areas; and pursue sustainable and harmonious development for both current and future generations, said Lam.
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Party General Secretary To Lam speaks at the meeting with revolutionary veterans, individuals who rendered service to the nation, and exemplary policy beneficiaries in the southern region. (Photo: VNA)
The General Secretary further emphasised the need to improve the quality of education, healthcare, culture, and sports; gradually narrow the gaps in the quality of public services between regions and merged units; foster a civilised, modern way of life; while preserving the rich cultural identity of the nation.
Additionally, national defence, security, and social order must be firmly reinforced to ensure political and social stability in all circumstances, especially in the context of large-scale localities, strong regional integration, and deep international integration, he added.
On this occasion, on behalf of Party and State leaders, Nguyen Trong Nghia, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and Chairman of its Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation, awarded the 45-year Party Membership Badge to Tran Tri Dung, former member of the Party Central Committee and former Secretary of the Tra Vinh provincial Party Committee; Sen. Lieut. Gen. Tran Don, former member of the Party Central Committee and former Deputy Minister of National Defence; and Nguyen Nam Viet, Secretary of the Long An provincial Party Committee.
