The Party Committee, government and people of Hai Phong City are one of the typical groups nominated for honor at the Vinh Quang Vietnam 2025 program taking place tonight (June 22) at the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Labor Cultural Palace, Hanoi.
Reporter of Lao Dong Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Dao Trong Duc - Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee (VFF) of Hai Phong City before the award ceremony.
How do you evaluate the significance of the Vietnam Glory Award?
The glory of Vietnam is an award of great political, social and humanitarian significance, to honor collectives and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. This year, with the theme "Pride and Aspiration", the program continues to spread positive values, inspiring dedication, especially in the fields of digital economy, green economy, innovation and sustainable development.
The nomination of the Party Committee, government and people of Hai Phong City at this year's program is a respectful recognition of a 70-year journey of perseverance in overcoming difficulties, creativity and strong breakthroughs.
From a city devastated by war, Hai Phong has risen to become an industrial, seaport, commercial, service and innovation center of the Northern region and the whole country.
In particular, in the past 10 years, the city has continuously grown GRDP in double digits, being among the leading groups in the country in investment attraction, administrative reform, digital transformation and sustainable development.
The glory of Vietnam is not only an honor, but also a great spiritual motivation for the city to continue promoting revolutionary traditions, resilience, innovation and integration aspirations, worthy of its role as a growth zone, a leading, modern, civilized and happy city in the new development stage - especially when Hai Phong is preparing to enter a period of greater scale development after merging with Hai Duong.
This is a common pride not only for Hai Phong, but also a typical image of an innovative, creative and aspirational Vietnam.
could you please share more in detail about the outstanding achievements in the socio-economic development process of Hai Phong City after 70 years of the city's liberation?
After 70 years since the liberation, what we can affirm with deep pride is: Hai Phong has had a comprehensive and strong transformation in urban appearance, economy - society and quality of life of the people. From a city devastated by war, Hai Phong has risen to become a national type I urban area, playing a leading role in developing the Northern Coastal region, a bright spot in the country's innovation and international integration.
First, the economy grew rapidly. Hai Phong has successfully transformed from a traditional agricultural - industrial economy to a model of developing high-tech industry, services and modern seaports.
In 2024, the economic scale will rank 5th in the country, the only locality to maintain double-digit growth continuously for more than a decade. State budget revenue ranked 3rd, FDI attraction ranked 2nd nationwide.
In particular, the city ranks first in the country in 4 indicators: competitiveness, administrative reform, people's satisfaction and the provincial green index. Major corporations such as Vingroup, LG, SunGroup... have chosen Hai Phong as a strategic destination.
Second, traffic and technical infrastructure will develop synchronously and modernly. The city has invested and completed many key projects such as Lach Huyen International Gateway Port, Cat Bi International Airport, expressways connecting Hanoi and Quang Ninh, along with more than 50 bridges to create a strong connecting network, notably Tan Vu - Lach Huyen Bridge, Hoang Van Thu Bridge, Bao Bridge, Ben Rung Bridge, Dinh Bridge, Hoa River Bridge, Chanh Bridge, Quang Thanh Bridge... contributing to improving competitiveness and attracting investment.
Third, the urban area is increasingly civilized and modern. Hai Phong is changing day by day with many new urban areas, model industrial parks, and social - environmental infrastructure projects being invested synchronously. The living space is increasingly green - clean - beautiful, friendly, safe, better meeting the increasing needs of the people.
Fourth, the development of culture and society, and social security are firmly guaranteed. The city always persistently implements the viewpoint of "investing in social security and welfare ahead of economic growth rate".
In 2024, Hai Phong is the locality that no longer has poor households according to national standards, and is at the forefront of the country with breakthrough policies such as: supporting 100% of tuition fees for students at all levels, supporting vocational training costs, taking care of meritorious people and vulnerable groups. Education, healthcare, and culture have all made much progress, traditional values are preserved and promoted.
Fifth, national defense - security and foreign affairs are strengthened and expanded. The city maintains political security, social order and safety, while promoting international cooperation.
Hai Phong has trade relations with over 130 countries and territories, friendly/ cooperative cooperation with 26 localities around the world, attracting 43 countries and territories to invest with 853 valid FDI projects, with a total investment capital of over 24.5 billion USD.
There are nearly 50 international and non-governmental organizations implementing projects in the city, contributing to promoting the image and enhancing international integration capacity.
Those achievements are the result of the wise leadership of the Central and City Party Committees, the drastic management of authorities at all levels, along with the spirit of solidarity, aspiration to rise up and the continuous efforts of the City People. Hai Phong has today risen to a new position, making daily efforts to realize its aspiration to become a "Cultured and happy city".
In the near future, when merging with Hai Duong, the population, area and economy will expand. What pillars will Hai Phong City focus on to continue to develop into a modern, civilized, and happy urban area, sir?
Implementing the Central Government's policy of merging Hai Duong province and Hai Phong city into a centrally-governed city in the context of the country preparing to enter a new development era, creating opportunities to maximize the potential and advantages of the third largest urban area in the country after Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (the scale after the merger of the two localities has an area of 3,195 km2 - the city with the smallest area; but the economic scale ranks 3rd in the country, 658,381 billion VND). In that context, the city clearly identifies three pillars and breakthroughs:
First, build a clean and strong City Party Committee; streamline the political system, operate effectively and efficiently; at the same time, synchronously deploy comprehensive digital transformation, build a digital city and a smart city in some key areas, gradually expanding the entire city.
This will be the foundation for a modern governance model, providing high-quality public services, promoting the development of the digital economy and digital society. The city will proactively attract and promote talent, creating a modern and attractive living environment for experts, intellectuals, and good workers to "come to Hai Phong to stay, stick with, and contribute".
Second, unlock all resources to promote economic growth associated with restructuring the economy towards green, digital, and modernity. Mobilize maximum investment resources, especially internal resources, while diversifying socialized and international capital; focus on investing in strategic infrastructure projects - seaports, airports, high-speed railways, post- port logistics services, urban areas, innovation and high technology.
Along with that is institutional reform, supporting private economic development, building a strong business community, creating a foundation for Hai Phong to become a leading seaport, logistics and industrial center in the country; a modern city worthy of "international city", imbued with the identity of " seaport city", "Red P combine city".
Third, harmonious development between culture - society and economy; ensuring social security, improving people's quality of life, building a livable and happy city. At the same time, develop Hai Phong into a major tourism center of the country, connecting with Ha Long Bay to form an international-scale marine tourism cluster.
The city will focus on developing typical tourism products associated with seas and islands, historical - cultural relics, ecology, high-class resorts; linking tourism development with promoting identity, arousing pride and the strength of Hai Phong culture - people in the new era. Along with that, the city continues to maintain national defense and security, promote the tradition of "Brave - Determined to win"; build a solid people's security posture, protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands; develop Bach Long Vi island district into an economic - defense center in the northern sea of the Fatherland.
glorious Vietnam is a special political - cultural - social event directed by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, in coordination with the Central Emulation and Reward Committee, assigned to Lao Dong Newspaper to organize annually since 2004. This year, the program enters its 21st tenure with the theme "Pride and Aspiration", to honor collectives and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the 80 years of building and defending the Fatherland, especially in the fields of digital economy, green economy, innovation and sustainable development.
