Hanoi recorded considerable achievements during the five years of implementing the resolution of the 16th municipal Party Congress for the 2015-2020 tenure.

A view of Ring Road 3 crossing Linh Dam Lake in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

At the patriotic emulation congress of Hanoi in early October, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the capital city performed its role as the country’s political and administrative centre and a major hub for culture, science, education, economic activities, and international transactions well.

Its efforts and subsequent socio-economic achievements have contributed significantly to socio-political stability, safeguarding defence-security, and ensuring social order and safety in the city and the country as a whole, according to the Government leader.

Between 2016 and 2020, the city’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) rose 7.39 % annually on average, reaching the set target of between 7.3-7.8 % and exceeding the growth of 6.93 % posted in the 2011-2015 period.

This year’s GRDP is estimated at VND1.06 quadrillion (about US$45 billion), with a per capita figure of some US$5,420, or 1.5 times higher than in 2015 and 1.8 times higher than the nation’s average.

Notably, Hanoi has steadfastly adopted solutions to improve the local investment and business climate. It attracted US$3.28 billion in FDI in the first nine months of 2020 as a result - an encouraging outcome amid lower global investment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city is currently home to 6,278 foreign-invested projects with combined capital of more than US$47.7 billion, US$28.5 billion of which has been disbursed.

Notably, US$25 billion worth of FDI capital was channelled into Hanoi between 2016 and 2020, making the capital an outstanding performer in this regard.

Meanwhile, considerable improvements have been posted in urban infrastructure planning and development, construction management, and environmental protection. Hanoi has paid attention to smart city development and completed its one-million-tree programme two years ahead of schedule.

The capital leads Vietnam’s 63 cities and provinces in the number of new-style rural communes. It expects to have 10 outlying districts and 371 communes, or 96.1 % of its communes, recognised as new-style rural areas by the end of this year - also two years ahead of schedule.

Hanoi has continued to see major accomplishments in culture, education and training, healthcare, and science and technology. It is the first Vietnamese locality to become a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, which is an important driver for it to innovate and develop into a smart, dynamic, and sustainable city, raise its profile, and promote its attractiveness.

It has also actively worked to expand cooperation with international partners, boost cultural and friendship exchanges, and increase trade and foreign investment attraction.

The city now has friendship and cooperative relations with more than 100 capitals and major cities around the world. It has also enhanced ties with central agencies and other localities in Vietnam, thereby promoting its role, standing, and prestige both domestically and internationally.

Politburo member and Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue, who is also head of the city’s delegation of National Assembly deputies, said Hanoi has achieved and surpassed all 16 targets set in the resolution adopted at the 16th Hanoi Party Congress.

A report on the five-year implementation of the resolution also highlighted certain successes in Party building and rectification, streamlining of the political system, and the performance of all-level administrations, sectors, and localities in fulfilling their duties.

However, the report also acknowledged that although Hanoi has posted relatively fast growth and exhibited resilience to external impacts and the COVID-19 pandemic, it has yet to make major breakthroughs or fully tap its potential and advantages. While disbursement of public investment remains slow, the city’s spots in the Satisfaction Index of Public Administrative Services (SIPAS) and the Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI) rankings are still modest compared to other localities.

The 17th Hanoi Party Congress for the 2020-2025 tenure is underway and expected to create new momentum and pave the way for fundamental improvements in all spheres, so that the capital will develop faster and more sustainably and live up to the expectations of the Party Central Committee, the local Party organisation and residents, and people nationwide.