The Party committees of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on October 18 inked a Memorandum of Understanding to foster their decentralized relations in 2023-2025 and beyond.

Hanoi Party Secretary Dinh Tien Dung (left) and his Ho Chi Minh City counterpart Nguyen Van Nen sign a memorandum of understanding on October 18 to boost socio-economic cooperation between the two cities. Photo: The Hanoi Times

According to the memorandum, the two cities will foster relations in Party and political development, state management and policy making.

The two cities will also strengthen cooperation in economy, trade and investment, urban planning, environmental protection, sports, culture and tourism.

Other areas of focus include education and health, agriculture, national defense, and information and communications.

The partnership aims to explore potential activities and foster growth in both cities.

According to the Party committees, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City achieved good outcomes in socio-economic development in the first nine months of this year.

Other areas of good performance include national defense and security, social stability, and cultural preservation.

In the nine-month period, Hanoi recorded a growth rate of 6.08% in gross regional domestic product (GRDP), while budget revenue increased by a quarter year-on-year to about VND305.3 trillion (US$12.4 billion).

In Ho Chi Minh City, the GRDP growth in January-September hit 4.57%, and the State budget revenue was more than VND326 trillion ($13.2 billion), fulfilling nearly 70% of the 2023 target.

In addition, the two Party committees have developed robust, firm and faithful political organizations. Many activities have been carried out to educate government officials and public servants to abide by the rules and regulations set by the Communist Party and the government.

On the occasion, Nguyen Van Nen, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, expressed his gratitude to the Party Committee, the Government and the people of Hanoi for helping the southern city fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

He congratulated Hanoi for its remarkable achievements in socio-economic and cultural development in recent years, especially when Hanoi's median economic growth exceeded the national average.

Nen said that despite uncertainties, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City should strengthen ties, share practices and ideas, and support each other's development.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung said the signing of the memorandum will facilitate cooperation between the two cities in all fields, especially in the development of Party organizations.

Secretary Dung appreciated the achievements of the government and people of Ho Chi Minh City and expected the southern city to continue its strong performance in fulfilling the missions of socio-economic growth.