Strong reform in leadership and governance
| On August 9, 2024, Secretary General and President To Lam met members of the Standing Committee of Hanoi's Party Committee. Photos: kinhtedothi.vn |
The Hanoi Party Committee vigorously reformed its leadership thinking, style, and methods to enhance the Party’s leadership capacity and the fighting strength of the entire political system. With the motto "Discipline - Responsibility - Action - Creativity - Development," the Committee has proactively proposed and effectively implemented strategic tasks to develop the capital. It also directed the review of theoretical and practical issues regarding the socialist-oriented renovation process over the past 40 years in Hanoi.
The Party building work has been carried out decisively and creatively, laying a solid foundation for the successful implementation of economic, social, national defense, and security tasks. Hanoi sets an example in applying the guiding principles and directions of the Party and General Secretary To Lam for the new era—the era of Vietnam’s rise.
The Hanoi People’s Committee established a Steering Committee for waste reduction measures. Efforts in anti-corruption, waste prevention, and combating negative phenomena have been a priority, with regular leadership on these matters.
The activities of the People’s Council at all levels have also been reformed with improved quality, and have been recognized by the National Assembly Standing Committee as a model and a “bright spot” in the operation of provincial and city-level people’s councils. The organizational structure, content, and activities of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other political-social organizations, from the city level to grassroots, have been innovated and become more practical, with a focus on grassroots engagement.
National Assembly passes the revised Capital Law
| Traffic Police enforce new regulations under the revised Capital Law, which came into effort on January 1, 2025. |
The revised Capital Law, approved by the National Assembly on June 28, provides an exceptional and distinctive legal framework for the capital to exercise self-governance, resolve management bottlenecks, mobilize resources, attract talent, promote innovation, and ensure sustainable development. This law, put into effect on January 1, 2025, serves as the legal foundation for Hanoi to carry out the strategic tasks outlined in Resolution 15-NQ/TW of the Politburo, with the goal as followed:
By 2030, Hanoi will be a "Cultural - Civilized - Modern" city and a driving force for the development of the Red River Delta region, the key economic area of Northern Vietnam, and the entire country. The city will be deeply integrated into the global economy, with high competitiveness both regionally and internationally, striving to reach the level of capital cities in developed countries. The GRDP growth rate for 2026-2030 projected at 8.0 - 8.5% per year. The average GRDP per capita will reach US$12,000 - 13,000.
The vision for 2045 is for Hanoi to be a global-connected city with a high standard of living and quality of life, with GRDP per capita exceeding $36,000. The city’s economy, culture, and society will develop comprehensively, uniquely, and harmoniously, representing the entire country. Its development level will be on par with the capitals of developed countries in the region and globally
Hanoi’s urban planning for the future
A corner of Hanoi. |
The two plans have been developed with a "new global vision - new global thinking, capital city mindset, and Hanoi’s proactive actions”, creating "new opportunities and values" for the development of a "Cultural - Civilized - Modern" capital that is green, smart, peaceful, prosperous, and globally connected. They aim to elevate Hanoi to represent the strong, prosperous Vietnam and contribute to ushering the country into a new era—an era of Vietnam’s rise.
These plans serve as the guiding framework for transforming Hanoi into a global city, a creative hub, and a leading center for the digital economy, green transformation, and sustainable development.
Celebrating 70 years of Hanoi’s Liberation and 25 years of the City for Peace
| A cultural event was organized in Hoan Kiem Lake to mark the 25th anniversary of Hanoi as a "City of Peace". |
Hanoi marked the 70th anniversary of its liberation day (October 10, 1954-2024) and 25 years of the City for Peace with a series of creative and large-scale events, including national competitions, art performances, and cultural festivals. These celebrations strengthened the city’s identity as a center of culture, peace, and innovation, spreading pride in its historic role and modern achievements.
The series of commemorative events not only left a deep impression on the people of Hanoi but also made a strong impact on citizens across the country and international friends. They affirmed Hanoi's position as a City of Peace, a City of Creativity, where the noble human values of the Vietnamese people converge and spread.
Record tax revenue of over US$19.6 billion
| Vu Manh Cuong, Deputy Director-General of the General Department of Taxation and Director of Hanoi's Tax Department, presents certificates of merit to taxpayers and businesses in 2024. |
Despite economic challenges and natural disasters, Hanoi's economy showed impressive performance in 2024. It achieved a GDP growth of 6.52% and exceeded VND500 trillion (US$19.6 billion) in state budget revenue, with VND470 trillion coming from domestic firms. Hanoi continues to reinforce its position as an attractive destination for investors, having attracted over $2 billion in FDI.
These impressive results have affirmed Hanoi's role as the economic "locomotive," showcasing the capital's resilience and determination to overcome challenges in all circumstances.
Pioneering in digital transformation and innovation
| The number of feedback and suggestions submitted through the iHanoi app to the Hanoi administration surged rapidly. |
Hanoi is the first locality to merge three Steering Committees (Administrative Reform, Digital Transformation, and Project 06) into one, with the motto "5 clear points, 1 consistent approach."
The city has pioneered and successfully tested many digital conveniences for residents, such as electronic health records, issuing Criminal Record Certificates via the VNeID application, promoting cashless parking search and payment apps, fire alert apps, and initiative digital Pho (robots serve rice noodles with beef or chicken) tracking. In particular, the "Digital Citizens of Hanoi - iHanoi" app has created a bridge that connects the government with the people of Hanoi, embodying the city’s proactive approach to interacting with citizens and listening to their needs "at any time, anywhere."
The city has launched two centers: the Hanoi Public Administrative Service Center, marking a new step in administrative procedure handling, and main data center, built on modern technology platforms to ensure security and support the development of digital government, economy, and the society of the capital.
According to the 2023 Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index report, Hanoi ranked first in the e-Government Index and continues to lead in the Local Innovation Index (PII) for 2024, as published by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Cultural industry development and tourism growth
| Hanoi residents shine in traditional Ao Dai (long dress) at the Hanoi Tourism Ao Dai Festival 2024. |
After more than two years of implementing the Resolution on the Development of Cultural Industries and five years of officially being a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Hanoi has been a leader in promoting cultural industries, using events like the annual Creative Design Festival and the pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake to showcase creativity.
The Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian zone has hosted over 600 domestic and international events in the past three years. The annual "Hanoi Creative Design Festival" has featured themes such as "Igniting Creativity" in 2021, "Creativity and Technology" in 2022, and "Flow" in 2023.
In 2024, the festival, themed "Intersection," was held at seven iconic historical heritage sites in Hanoi, featuring over 100 creative activities across 12 cultural industry sectors. The event attracted active participation from more than 500 agencies, organizations, universities, businesses, and over 1,000 creators, including many talented young artists. It has become a signature cultural event, highly praised by both the community and domestic and international organizations.
These initiatives contributed to a boost in tourism, with Hanoi attracting nearly 28 million visitors in 2024, a 12.7% increase, and a notable rise in international tourists. The city has received several prestigious awards, including "Asia's Leading Destination" from the World Travel Awards and "World's Best Golf City Destination 2024" from the World Golf Awards. It is also ranked among the "Top 100 City Destinations for 2024" by Euromonitor International.
Education and social welfare advancements
| A heartwarming classroom moment at Ngo Quyen Secondary School, Dong Anh District. |
In 2024, Hanoi’s education system excelled, with high graduation rates and top scores in national exams. Students in Hanoi lead the country in national student selection exams, with 184 students winning awards. Hanoi is also the national leader in implementing digital school records at the primary level, more than twice the national average of 41%.
The city has created new jobs for 178,700 workers, reaching 108.3% of the plan. It has nearly eliminated poverty, achieving its poverty reduction target one year ahead of the 2021-2025 plan; and has completed the goal of eliminating 100% of dilapidated housing.
The city has also continued to lend over VND9,500 billion (US$372 million) through the Social Policy Bank to support more than 96,000 disadvantaged households and beneficiaries of social policies, making it the leading locality in the country.
Inauguration of key infrastructure projects
| A view of Hanoi Children’s Palace, the most advanced in the country featuring a theater, cinema, and art clubs across nearly 40,000 sq.m. |
Hanoi made significant progress in infrastructure development in 2024. The Hanoi Metro Line 3 began commercial operations in August, enhancing public transport in the city. New facilities, such as the modern Children’s Palace - the most advanced in the country - featuring a theater, cinema, and art clubs across nearly 40,000 sq.m., were also inaugurated. This facility meets the needs of Hanoi's children for learning, recreation, sports, physical training, and cultural exchange. Additionally, a specialized pediatric hospital opened, improving public services and healthcare for both the city and its neighboring provinces.
Enhanced security and civil defense
The quality, standard, and combat readiness of Hanoi's armed forces have been continuously improved, meeting the requirements and tasks of protecting the nation and the capital in the new context. The successful organization of the Hanoi Defense Area Exercise 2024, with many innovations in content, format, scale, and participants (the largest ever), has affirmed Hanoi's defense and security capabilities, ensuring combat readiness in all situations.
The social order and safety in Hanoi have seen positive changes, with crime being controlled and reduced. National security has been maintained, and the capital has ensured the absolute protection of key targets and events, including over 2,000 political, economic, cultural, and foreign affairs activities.
Hanoi was selected as the venue for the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024, held from December 19-22. This exhibition is a major event with international significance, marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the All-People National Defense Day.
