Chairman of the City People's Committee Nguyen Van Phuong inspected key projects in the city.

Reconciliation between conservation and development

Prof. Cao Ngoc Thanh, former Principal of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and colleagues at Hue University analyzed: With its new position, Hue has more favorable conditions to access resources from the central and international levels. Special policies for centrally-run cities will create strong momentum for development. The city possesses many advantages in terms of cultural heritage systems recognized by UNESCO, unique natural landscapes, high-quality healthcare, and educational , scientific and technological potential. These advantages have been exploited and are the "foundation" for Hue to make a breakthrough in the coming period.

Along with opportunities come increasing pressures. Hue must solve the problem of balancing conservation and development. Researchers call this the “conservation trap”. Specifically, being too cautious about conservation tasks will hinder development, but being hasty will damage heritage, which is the “soul” of the ancient city. Hue also faces fierce competition from neighboring tourism and service centers that are boosting investment in infrastructure, technology and urbanization, which will put great pressure from growth requirements.

Kim Long Motors automobile manufacturing and assembly complex is expected to be a driving force for the city's industry in the new term.

Climate change, natural disasters, epidemics and the need to attract strategic FDI (foreign direct investment) are also significant challenges. However, it is this pressure that forces Hue to choose the right direction: Conditional development, based on heritage but with modern thinking, with smart planning and effective management.

Promoting the "3 in 1" advantage

With its new role and position, the 2025 - 2030 term requires Hue to both preserve its priceless heritage treasure and affirm its position as a modern, worthy central city on the national and regional map.

Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee of the City Party Committee Hoang Khanh Hung informed: The goal of the 2025 - 2030 term is to build a clean and strong Party organization and political system. At the same time, promote the strength of the entire people; mobilize and effectively use resources, build and develop Hue City by 2030 as a typical heritage city of Vietnam, one of the large and unique centers of the Southeast Asian region in terms of culture, tourism and specialized healthcare; one of the major centers of the country in terms of science and technology, multi-disciplinary, multi-field, high-quality education and training; a strong maritime economic center of the country; national defense and security are firmly guaranteed; the material and spiritual life of the people reaches a high level.

Hue is a destination rich in cultural identity. Photo: Dinh Hoang

To realize this, the city plans to set out four key development programs: Developing smart urban areas associated with heritage; Promoting high-tech industry and cultural industry; Encouraging science - technology, innovation, digital transformation; Developing high-quality human resources, of which two breakthrough goals are considered "strategic boosts": building smart heritage urban areas and developing specialized medical centers - medical tourism.

For smart heritage cities, conservation will be the foundation and technology will be the lever. Hue possesses a huge treasure trove of cultural heritage, but that value will only truly be promoted when managed with modern thinking. In the new context, the city will digitize all heritage data, build digital maps to manage, monitor and exploit tourism. Regulate the flow of visitors in real time, apply electronic tickets, and traffic sensors to reduce the load on the Imperial Citadel and the core heritage area. Connect the "living heritage arc" with green transportation between the Perfume River - the Imperial Citadel area - the ancient town.

According to experts, it is more important to shift from "relocation - resettlement" to "relocation - reconstruction - livelihood restoration", so that people have jobs related to heritage services and tourism. If done well, Hue will not only preserve the value of its heritage but also turn it into a "development asset", creating a difference from other cities. This is also consistent with one of the breakthroughs for the 2025 - 2030 term that the draft report of the 17th City Party Congress, term 2025 - 2030 stated: "Promoting digital transformation, applying science and technology associated with Hue's identity".

According to Professor Cao Ngoc Thanh, for specialized medical centers and medical tourism, Hue has long been considered the "medical cradle" of the Central region. To be worthy of its status, the city needs to be raised to a regional level. Specifically, it is necessary to develop three specialized medical clusters: Cardiology, oncology, and rehabilitation. Combine healthcare and tourism by building high-quality medical tourism service packages. Apply digital technology, electronic health records, multilingual telehealth, and AI to support diagnosis. Aim to meet international standards for key hospitals, creating the Hue brand on the Southeast Asian healthcare map.

“If successful, Hue will not only be a place for “cure”, but also a “health destination” in the region, promoting the “3 in 1” advantage: medical history, high-quality human resources and a safe and clean living environment”, Professor Cao Ngoc Thanh believes.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Quang Linh, former Director of Hue University, commented: In the section on identifying key task groups and solutions, it is necessary to clearly state two task groups directly linked to Resolution (NQ) 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation; Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW of the Politburo on private economic development. These are two strategic resolutions, orienting long-term development.

It is necessary to clearly define the indicators for science and technology development, the contribution rate of private enterprises to GRDP growth, the rate of technological innovation in enterprises, and indicators for core technology development (such as microchips, AI, digital platforms, etc.). This group of tasks will contribute to strengthening the city's important development pillars, especially closely linked to the spirit of Resolution 54 of the Politburo on the development of Hue City by 2045.

Working with the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee at the end of July 2025, Politburo member and Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh noted that Hue must find new growth drivers such as technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and diversify resources for social security.

2025 - 2030: Breakthrough phase

Entering the 2025 - 2030 term, which is also the first time to operate the organization according to the 2-level local government model, many new issues related to mechanisms, policies, leadership, management and implementation organization arise; in addition, the next term must achieve a growth target of 10% for the city.

The new tasks and new context pose great challenges to the City Party Committee, requiring the highest efforts and striving, promoting the combined strength, mobilizing all resources and capabilities, and the intelligence of cadres and Party members to contribute significantly to the successful implementation of the common goals set by the City Party Committee and the City People. The important lesson learned is to always stay close to the grassroots, listen to the opinions of the People, and promote the strength of solidarity. This is the foundation for turning determination into action.

Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Hue City Le Truong Luu affirmed: "Entering the new term, with new opportunities and significant challenges, the City Party Committee will make efforts to turn determination into concrete actions; mobilize all resources, promote potentials and strengths; and carry out tasks in harmony between modern urban economic development and heritage preservation."

The road ahead is long with higher requirements. With the existing foundation, the desire to rise and strong political determination, Hue is fully qualified to enter the 2025 - 2030 term with a new position, new spirit, new motivation. Together, we believe that Hue of the future will be a smart heritage city, rich in identity, a major center of culture, tourism, health, science and technology, worthy of not only Vietnam but also the Southeast Asian region.

Article and photos: DUC QUANG

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