As Vietnam today is at its best conditions, Hanoi is having an unprecedented opportunity for further development, thus the capital city should set more ambitious goals than other localities, according to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President Nguyen Phu Trong.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President Nguyen Phu Trong.

In the past five years, Hanoi, as the country’s political center and economic, cultural, scientific and international trade hub, has achieved major results in various fields, in turn making significant contributions to Vietnam’s development, stated Mr. Trong at the opening of Hanoi’s 17^th Party Congress for 2020 – 2025 tenure on October 12.

Despite growing global uncertainties and crisis as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam still stands firm and overcomes any obstacles that it is facing, Mr. Trong added.

Nevertheless, Hanoi, for its significant role and responsibility, should grasp all opportunities available and mobilize all resources, especially the unity and trust from the public, to fuel its development, Mr. Trong noted.

The Party chief expected Hanoi to better realize its potential and strength for sustainable and rapid economic growth, while solidifying its status as the driving force for the Northern economic zone and also the country.

In the coming time, Mr. Trong requested Hanoi to continue revising its growth model and pushing for economic restructuring to make decisive turns in addressing current shortcomings.

Additionally, the city should harmonize economic growth with advances culture and social equality, in which economic development must be based on the cultural foundation.

Mr. Trong urged Hanoi to ensure greater efficiency in urban management, especially in implementing the pilot project of urban administration model, a key step that would help the city enhance resilience in tackling climate change and utilize natural resources efficiently.

Mr. Trong requested government agencies and provinces/cities to cooperate closely with Hanoi to aid the latter’s development process.

Secretary of Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue (l) and Mr. Trong (r).

On behalf of Hanoi’s Party delegates, the local authority and people of Hanoi, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue said the city is committed to fulfilling its potential and meeting the expectation from the State President and leaders of the Party and government for Hanoi.

Hanoi’s economic size in 2020 is set to reach VND1,060 trillion (US$45 billion), resulting in GRDP per capita of VND127.6 million (US$5,420), a 1.5-fold increase against over 2015 and 1.8 times as high as the national average.

For the 2021 – 2025 period, Hanoi sets GRDP growth target of 7.5 – 8% and GRDP per capita of VND190 million (US$8,300) by 2025.