Hanoi exerts efforts for development and prosperity

The spirit of solidarity and will that brought victory 67 years ago has always been a strong source of motivation for Hanoi in overcoming all difficulties and challenges and becoming more beautiful, civilised, modern, and worthy of the trust and affection of the whole country.

Ring Road 3 on the Mai Dich - Nam Thang Long section in Hanoi. (Photo: Minh Ha)
Ring Road 3 on the Mai Dich - Nam Thang Long section in Hanoi. (Photo: Minh Ha)

Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung made the remark in his recent article written on the occasion of the 67th anniversary of the capital’s Liberation Day (October 10, 1954-2021).

Over the past 67 years, from an urban area with a population of about 437,000 people that was severely damaged by war, Hanoi has constantly strived to grow stronger. Although Hanoi only accounts for only 1% of the country’s area and 8.5% of its population, the capital city contributes more than 16% of GDP, 18.5% of State budget revenue, 20% of domestic revenue, and 8.6 % of total export and import revenue each year. The role and position of Hanoi has been increasingly affirmed. The city has established diplomatic relations with more than 100 cities and capitals of countries around the world.

When the fourth COVID-19 wave broke out at the end of April this year, Hanoi was the highest-risk area in the country. Faced with a dangerous situation, the whole political system of the city got involved. 60 days with four rounds of social distancing, people and army of Hanoi under the leadership of the Party has attained positive results in the epidemic fight.

Through each period of social distancing, the number of cases, especially those in the community, have decreased. Along with the rapid vaccination drive and large-scale testing, the city has basically controlled the epidemic towards gradually restoring economic development. As of October 8, in the more than 150 days of the fourth outbreak, the whole city recorded only 4,029 positive cases for SARS-CoV-2.

In addition to the difficult time of the third quarter of 2021, Hanoi has still maintained economic growth. In which, the city’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 6.61%, higher than the first quarter of 2021 (up by 5.17%), contributing to growth of 5.91% in the first half of the year, higher than the national average (5.64%). The city’s nine-month GRDP growth reached 1.28%.

Resilient and decisive, Hanoi is still imbued with a profound human spirit. With the motto “no one is left behind”, the city has timely supported 12 target groups according to Resolution No.68/NQ-CP of the Government; and at the same time promulgated more specific policies to support 12 other disadvantaged groups. As of early October, more than 3.2 million people in the area have benefited from support packages worth over VND1.375 trillion (over US$60.4 million).

The capital city has also actively provided aid to other localities. In the fourth outbreak alone, Hanoi supported Ho Chi Minh City with 5,000 tonnes of rice worth VND75 billion, as well as Binh Duong Province (1,000 tonnes of rice) and 18 southern provinces and cities
(VND3 billion each), not to mention the support for medical staff, supplies, testing machines, etc. Previously, the city sent a delegation of medical staff to support Bac Ninh Province and Bac Giang Province for testing, tracing and zoning, etc.

In the coming time, the domestic and international socio-economic context will still face many difficulties and challenges, especially the complicated and unpredictable developments of the COVID-19 epidemic. The requirements set forth for all levels, branches, army and people of Hanoi are to unite, work together, innovate, raise the sense of responsibility, as well as strengthen close coordination to successfully achieve the set goals.

Hanoi will prioritise the implementation of practical and effective support mechanisms, policies and solutions for people, employees and businesses; improve resilience to overcome difficulties and challenges; stabilise life and restore production and business.

The city will make every effort to maintain its achievements against the COVID-19 epidemic and gradually establish a state of safe, flexible, and effective adaptation to the epidemic with six principles set out by the Prime Minister. In particular, Hanoi will continue make propositions to the Government and the Ministry of Health to facilitate the distribution of vaccines in time for the second shots in October 2021.

For socio-economic recovery and development, from now until the end of the year, the city will focus on three important tasks including: concentrating resources to accelerate the disbursement of basic construction investment capital; administering, collecting and spending budget effectively and in the right direction; and stepping up administrative reform, strengthening dialogue, and removing difficulties for production and enterprises.

On the journey to the future, Hanoi has clearly identified cultural requirements as the social spiritual foundation, a goal, motivations and resource for sustainable development. Cultural development must be put on an equal footing with economic, politic and social development. In order to develop the capital’s culture worthy of the thousand-year tradition of civilisation, Hanoi will focus on developing human resource with a beautiful lifestyle with the following basic characteristics: patriotism, benevolence, affection, honesty, solidarity, industriousness, creativity, civilization, and elegance.

The goals and tasks set out are huge, with many difficulties and challenges, but with glorious achievements obtained both in the past and at present, Hanoi will constantly strive to be exemplary in building the clean and strong Party Committee and the political system; inspiring the will and promoting the thousand-year tradition of civilisation, heroism, and the great unity of the people; promoting innovation and international integration; and building a beautiful, prosperous, civilised and modern capital city in accordance with the spirit set out at the 17th Hanoi Municipal Party Congress for the 2020 - 2025 tenure.