Hanoi - Journey of aspiration with the country entering the era of national advancement

The 2021-2025 term takes place in an unprecedented context: the COVID-19 pandemic paralyzes many socio-economic activities; supply chains are disrupted; production stagnates; people's lives are negatively impacted. With a population of nearly 10 million, Hanoi faces a dual challenge of ensuring public health and safety while maintaining the continuous operation of a complex urban economy.

But in adversity, the capital's mettle was clearly affirmed. Hanoi proactively controlled the epidemic, restored production early and took advantage of the crisis to restructure the economy.

The capital's economy maintains high growth in the country.

During the 2021-2025 period, the capital's economy will maintain an average growth rate of 6.57% per year, 1.1 times higher than the national growth rate. It is expected that in 2025, the economic scale will reach about 63 billion USD, 1.42 times higher than in 2020, accounting for 41.54% of the Red River Delta and 12.6% of the country. GRDP per capita is estimated at 175 million VND (about 7,200 USD).

The economic structure has shifted positively, increasing the proportion of services and reducing the proportion of agriculture : services 65.6%, construction industry 22.79%, agriculture 1.96%. Total realized social investment capital is estimated at 2.5 million billion VND, 1.5 times higher than the period 2016-2020; FDI attraction is estimated at 11.5 billion USD. Science and technology, innovation and digital transformation are focused on, playing an important role in improving competitiveness and sustainable development.

The highlight of the term is a series of strategic infrastructure projects: Ring Road 4 - Capital Region with a scale of nearly 130 km; Metro Line 3, Nhon - Hanoi Railway Station section; elevated Ring Road 2 lines; Vinh Tuy Bridge Phase 2 and many other key traffic works. Industrial parks and new urban areas in Dong Anh, Gia Lam, Hoai Duc... expand development space, creating a foundation for regional connectivity.

Urbanization work is increasingly complete.

In the industrial sector, Hanoi has shifted from “processing and assembly” to smart manufacturing and high-tech industry. Industrial parks such as Bac Thang Long, Sai Dong B, Quang Minh, Phu Nghia, Thang Long II… prioritize attracting investment in electronics, precision mechanics, pharmaceuticals and green products.

In particular, Hanoi is a pioneer in green growth: Hundreds of projects on wastewater treatment, air quality improvement, urban tree planting and riverside and lake development. The rate of waste treated with modern technology reaches nearly 40%, industrial emissions are significantly reduced, contributing to building a green, clean and environmentally friendly capital.

Along with economic development, Hanoi focuses on building a modern, transparent and effective government. The city has carefully, synchronously and systematically prepared the organization and rearrangement of the administrative apparatus, completed decentralization of management, assigned budget estimates, arranged headquarters, and allocated human resources for 126 communes and wards, ensuring that units operate stably from the first day.

The City People's Committee has issued a series of key documents such as Resolution 426/NQ-HDND and Decision 3368/QD-UBND, clearly regulating decentralization, assignment of tasks and resources to the grassroots level. At the same time, the City has strongly implemented digital transformation in public administration: 100% of administrative procedures are provided online; 63% of departments and branches open data; Administrative Reform Index reached 92.75 points (ranked 3rd out of 63 provinces and cities); Digital Transformation Index increased by 19 places, leading the country in IT industry and innovation.

The city strongly implements digital transformation in public administration.

Mr. Cu Ngoc Trang, Director of the Hanoi City Public Administration Service Center, said that after 3 months of officially operating the two-level government model, the reception and settlement of administrative procedures (TTHC) at the commune level has achieved many outstanding results. On the National Public Service Portal, the index assessing the quality of service management for people and businesses in Hanoi has risen to 18/34, up 16 places compared to July 2025. This result has significant contributions from the People's Committees of communes and wards, the pioneering units that transformed when the two-level government model officially came into operation.

To date, 100% of commune-level administrative procedures (416 procedures) have been announced and made public on time; all have internal and electronic procedures for implementation. In just 3 months, localities have received 585,934 records, an average of more than 8,900 records/day, while at the same time guiding and supporting citizens to get acquainted with online public services.

A highlight is that the rate of online applications has increased sharply, from 0.68% in the first phase to 63.06%, reaching 96.2% in September 2025 alone, twice as high as direct applications. This is a clear signal for a comprehensive digital transformation strategy, in line with the spirit of Resolution 57 of the Politburo on building a modern urban government. Some communes and wards have also created the model of "Mobile Digital Popular Education Points", helping people easily access digital platforms.

The People's Committees of communes and wards are the pioneering units in transformation when the two-level government model officially comes into operation.

Faced with the pressure of rapidly increasing volume of documents while the number of civil servants is limited, the City flexibly hires personnel from public postal units, with university degrees and proper training, to support at Public Administrative Service Points, contributing to improving service capacity, ensuring professionalism and efficiency.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Truong Viet Dung emphasized that the two-level government helps Hanoi shift from a "management" mindset to a "service" mindset. Each ward and commune becomes a complete level of government, with budget, authority and data, and is qualified to proactively care for and develop the area. Initial results show that administrative reform and digital transformation are becoming a strong driving force, making Hanoi the leader in the country in terms of effective service to people and businesses.

Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong assessed that Hanoi has basically achieved and many contents have positive changes, especially in overcoming difficulties of units. With the same starting point, there are even units with lower starting points and more difficulties, but with efforts, determination, responsibility and creativity, they have gradually found a suitable development direction.

Administrative procedure settlement department at Reception Point, Dong Da Ward, Hanoi.

After the operation process, this model has two problems. First, the staff is still limited in both quantity and quality. This is a reality that we need to have a frank assessment. Second, there are difficulties in information technology infrastructure and digital infrastructure to serve the management and work resolution. Therefore, it is necessary for relevant units to review and recommend, propose mechanisms, policies, and models suitable for large cities like Hanoi to have better development conditions.

On the same issue, Hanoi Party Secretary Bui Thi Minh Hoai stated that operating under a two-level local government model requires clarity, transparency and efficiency. It is necessary to end the situation of pushing and avoiding responsibility. Each level, each sector, each cadre must clearly define their roles and functions. Specific work contents must be carried out resolutely, transparently, with a roadmap and specific responsible people.

During the past term, the Hanoi Party Committee identified social security as the foundation for sustainable development, focusing on improving the welfare and quality of life of the capital's people. The health system has been heavily invested in, applying information technology in medical examination and treatment, disease surveillance and preventive medicine, helping people access quality and timely services. Social protection policies have been comprehensively implemented, expanding the target group and increasing the subsidy level. In particular, Hanoi has completely eliminated multidimensional poverty by 2024, one year earlier than planned, affirming its commitment to not leaving anyone behind.

Looking forward to the new term, the city aims to improve the quality of life and build a happy capital. The healthcare system will be developed in a modern and specialized manner, with hospitals becoming end-line centers, a network of family healthcare and rapid emergency care. The city strives to have all residents receive annual health check-ups by 2030, and has a roadmap to free hospital fees, with free medical examination and treatment for children in the immediate future.

The city aims to improve the quality of life and build a happy capital.

In addition to health care, Hanoi pays special attention to the living environment and social security. The city prioritizes the development of a multi-layered social security system that covers the entire population, supports remote areas and ethnic minorities, and narrows the gap between urban and rural areas. All people have access to basic and essential social services, from education, health care to social housing, in a safe and civilized environment. Migrant workers are also guaranteed rights, access to services and adequate housing.

The living environment is given top priority, with projects to treat wastewater, waste, improve inner-city rivers and lakes, build parks and “urban forests” models. The city strives for 75–80% of the days of the year to have good and average air quality, and aims for net zero emissions by 2050. At the same time, food security, food safety and social policies are implemented synchronously, contributing to improving the overall quality of life.

Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the City Party Committee Nguyen Doan Toan emphasized that the goal of building a happy capital is not only a slogan but also a guideline in all policies and actions. The theme of the congress "Developing a civilized, modern, and happy capital" represents the aspirations and vision of the Party Committee and the people, towards a livable city where people fully enjoy both material and spiritual life. Mr. Toan said that Hanoi will focus on implementing motivational and guiding tasks, ensuring that all policies are put into practice and enhancing people's confidence and happiness.

Hanoi will enhance people's confidence and happiness.

Standing Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong emphasized that the people-centered approach and the inclusion of the Happy Planet Index (HPI) into the development index system is an important step forward. According to him, happiness is not only measured by macro indicators but also reflected in daily life: convenient travel, clean environment, effective public services. All actions of the government, from big to small, must aim at the highest goal of people's happiness, because "without happiness, it is impossible to talk about sustainable development".

Regarding personnel work, Head of the Hanoi Party Committee's Organization Committee Ha Minh Hai stated that, closely following Directive No. 45-CT/TW of the Politburo, guidance from the Central Organization Committee and Central Party Committees, the City Party Committee has developed and issued a direction for personnel work for the City Party Committee's Executive Committee for the 2025-2030 term, which clearly defines the number, structure, conditions, and standards for positions according to regulations.

According to the Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong, the number of Executive Committee members of the Hanoi Party Committee for the 18th term, according to the approved project, is 75 comrades, 4 comrades more than the 17th term.

Regarding personnel work at the Congress, Head of the Hanoi Party Committee's Organization Committee Ha Minh Hai emphasized that the personnel plan has been carefully prepared by the Hanoi Party Committee, in compliance with the Central's instructions. The breakthrough in Hanoi's personnel work in the coming term is carried out according to the principle of "finding people", based on the results of prestige that are objectively measured based on data. "Find people, choose the right people, give trust and evaluate with specific products. The Party Committee's viewpoint is "finding people", choosing the right people, then decentralizing, delegating, giving trust to the grassroots and localities", said Mr. Ha Minh Hai.

Another breakthrough that the Hanoi Party Committee has implemented is "in, out, up, down" in personnel work, shaping it into a public service culture. "If you cannot meet the requirements, then leave the position so that someone else can do it," said Mr. Ha Minh Hai.

Head of the Hanoi Party Committee's Organization Committee Ha Minh Hai.

Regarding criteria and standards, Mr. Hai emphasized, the first is "a pure heart and morality". The second is "intelligence, creative thinking and vision". The third is "inspiration, exemplary, solidarity, ability to attract, gather strength and intelligence". The last is "decisiveness, daring to think, daring to do, daring to take responsibility for the common good".

“We aim for a team of officials who are both 'red' and 'specialized', but must have a digital mindset and a transparent style,” said Mr. Ha Minh Hai, adding that the two breakthrough contents identified by Hanoi in the coming period are transparency and evaluating officials using digital data. When all processes and data are made public, people can monitor, officials are forced to improve their capacity and work more effectively.

At the same time, the Head of the Hanoi Party Committee's Organization Committee said that officials will be evaluated based on digital data deployed through the OKRs system, KPIs and modern technology tools, ensuring objectivity, fairness, and limiting emotional factors.

Hanoi will evaluate officials based on digital data deployed through the OKRs system, KPIs and modern technology tools, ensuring objectivity, fairness, and limiting emotional factors.

In the period of 2026-2030, Hanoi aims to develop comprehensively, aiming to become a civilized, modern, green, smart and happy capital. The next 5-year plan sets specific targets: average GRDP growth rate of 11%/year or more; GRDP per capita of over 12,000 USD; digital economy accounting for 40% of GRDP; total investment capital implemented in the area reaching 5 million billion VND.

According to the Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong, the City Party Congress is a congress of special importance to the development of the Capital in the new historical period of the Capital and the country. This congress is different from the previous one in that never before have political, legal, planning and modern conditions converged to create favorable conditions for Hanoi's development like this one.

Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong.

Further clarifying the content and new features of the Congress's theme, Mr. Nguyen Van Phong emphasized that Hanoi must be responsible, not only exemplary, but also pioneering; proactively proposing to the Central Government to pilot and implement new policies.

Regarding the target of 11% growth or more in the next term, according to Mr. Nguyen Van Phong, this is a huge challenge, a very high target. Therefore, without a breakthrough solution in both thinking and action, it will be very difficult to achieve. "Therefore, we put the breakthrough into the theme of the congress so that it will be consistent throughout the term," said Mr. Nguyen Van Phong.

Hanoi has the responsibility not only to be a role model but also to be a pioneer in carrying out the common tasks of the whole country. At the same time, it must proactively carry out tasks and solutions for which Hanoi has more favorable conditions than other localities. Hanoi also identifies the pioneering breakthrough factor in the new era to contribute to the double-digit growth of the whole country.

Nhat Tan Bridge, a modern expressway, shortens travel time from Noi Bai International Airport to Hanoi center by nearly half.

Head of the Hanoi Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission Nguyen Doan Toan also said that the theme and motto of the congress both have a new element compared to the previous one, which is "breakthrough". This is based on the requirements and tasks in the coming period, and at the same time affirms the determination of the Capital to take the lead in implementing the political tasks assigned by the Central Government, to perform well the pioneering role, to lead and successfully implement the goals, targets and tasks in the new term, especially the economic growth target of 11% or more.

“To carry out that spirit of breakthrough, in addition to the three breakthroughs in the Political Report, the city's viewpoint is that with all the Party's policies and the State's laws, Hanoi must choose exemplary, motivating and guiding actions to implement. All policies as well as leadership and direction must be very drastic,” Mr. Nguyen Doan Toan clearly stated.

Article: Quang Phong
Photo: Quang Phong, Trung Nguyen, VNA
Presented by: Nguyen Ha

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/long-form/emagazine/ha-noi-hanh-trinh-khat-vong-cung-dat-nuoc-buoc-vao-ky-nguyen-vuon-minh-dan-toc-20251009214519297.htm