The following are the 10 significant events of Hanoi in 2021 selected by The Hanoi Times is honored to highlight. Each of them has been instrumental in moving the city forward through the challenging time ahead.

Hanoi's 17th Party Congres. Photo: Thanh Hai

1. Swiftly putting resolutions of the 13th National Party Congress and 17th Hanoi Party congress into practice

Following the wrap-up of the national and municipal Party congresses, the Hanoi’s Party Committee has issued 10 action plans to soon put Party resolutions into practice, as they laid out the visions for Hanoi’s further development in the next five years.

For the 2021 – 2025 period, Hanoi sets a GRDP growth target of 7.5–8%, in which the services sector would make up 65 – 65.5%, industry and services 22.5 – 23%, and agro-forestry-fishery 1.4 – 1.6%.

In this period, the contribution of the digital economy to the GRDP growth by 2025 would be around 30%, while productivity is set to expand by an average of 7 – 7.5% during the five-year period.

The city targets to reach GRDP per capita of VND190 million (US$8,300) by 2025 and VND830 million (US$36,000) by 2045.

By 2030, Hanoi would become a modern, green, and smart city with high competitiveness and achieve GRDP per capita of around US$12,000 – 13,000.

2. Successful election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils

Hanoi had carried out thorough preparation for the election process amid uncertainties surrounding the pandemic situation, for which the election for deputies of the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils turned out to be a major success and a truly festive occasion for the people.

The voter turnout reached over 99.16%, higher than the participation recorded in the last election of the 2016-2021 term. The local voters in Hanoi elected 29 National Assembly deputies, 95 deputies of the municipal People’s Council.

In addition, 1,052 deputies at district-level People’s Councils and 10,593 at commune-level People’s Councils were elected. The success of the general election proved to be a key step for Hanoi to enhance efficiency in its apparatus at all levels.

A voter casts his ballots in Cau Giay District. Photo: Lai Tan

3. Pursing twin goals and shifting Covid-19 strategy to flexible and safe adaptation

Thanks to positive public response and the participation of the entire political system, Hanoi has taken drastic steps to contain the pandemic, including the largest-ever vaccination roll-out. As of December 28, Hanoi has administered nearly 11.8 million doses to all eligible people.

The city also delivered timely support for businesses and people affected by the pandemic from relief packages of the central government and the city. In this regard, over 5.3 million people have received financial support worth VND6.5 trillion ($285 million).

There has also been a clear sign of economic recovery as the city’s GRDP growth rebounded strongly to 6.69% in the fourth quarter, taking the whole-year economic growth to 2.92%.

Hanoi’s state budget revenue is estimated at VND239 trillion, exceeding the year’s target by 10%. The capital city also held two dialogues with domestic and foreign businesses to listen to their concern and suggestion to accelerate economic recovery.

Electronics production at Katolec Vietnam in Quang Minh Industrial Park, Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung

4. Hanoi kicks off pilot urban administration model

On November 27, 2019, the 14th National Assembly ratified Resolution No.97/2019/QH14 on piloting the urban administration model in Hanoi.

Under the pilot administration model, Hanoi will abolish the people’s council in 177 wards of 12 districts and Son Tay Town. As such, the metropolitan area will have only two levels of people’s representation: city and district. Rural areas still retain the model of three levels of people’s representation (city, district, and commune).

This pilot civil service model is expected to streamline the local apparatus, accelerate the decision-making process and solve urgent issues faster, as well as better define leaders’ responsibilities.

Old apartment buildings in Hanoi. Photo: Hai Linh

5. Hanoi announces six subdivision planning projects and starts renovating old apartment buildings

Hanoi has announced six subdivision planning projects on inner-city zoning in four districts of Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Dong Da, and Hai Ba Trung, with a total area of 2,709 hectares and an estimated population of 672,000 by 2050.

The ultimate goal of the planning is to relocate people living in the downtown areas in compliance with the city’s overall construction planning until 2030, with a vision to 2050.

In another move, the municipal Party Committee issued resolution No.06-NQ/TU on September 20, 2021, to renovate old apartment buildings in Hanoi, which later received 100% endorsement from deputies of the People’s Council. The first phase of the project is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2023, for which the city’s budget would allocate VND500 billion (US$22 million) during the 2021-2025 period.

The priority would be to address buildings seen as high risk of collapsing and posing danger for their dwellers.

6. High achievements of the education sector

Hanoi claimed the top rank among localities in terms of the number of contestants achieving high results in national competitions with 139. At the regional and international levels, students from Hanoi earned 365 prizes and 62 medals. The highlight in 2021 was Hanoi’s five out of 12 gold medals that Vietnamese students won at the International Mathematical Olympiad, the International Physics Olympiad, the International Chemistry Olympiad, and the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Ring road No.2 section Nga Tu Vong - Vinh Tuy under construction. Photo: Giang Huy

7. Completion of major infrastructure projects to improve Hanoi’s transport capabilities

In 2021, Hanoi completed major public transportation projects, including the Cat Linh – Ha Dong urban railway, bridge crossing Linh Dam river, an interchange between the ring road No.3 and Hanoi-Haiphong expressway, among others.

Among those projects, the Cat Linh – Ha Dong urban railway was the first of its kind in Hanoi and of Vietnam that is put into commercial operation.

Hanoi Party Committee also issued resolution No.07-NQ/TU on the construction of ring road No.4 that would serve as the growth driving force for both Hanoi and the capital metropolitan area.

Ring road No.4 connects 14 districts from three northern cities/provinces of Hanoi, Hung Yen, and Bac Ninh with a total length of 98 kilometers.

8. 100% of Hanoi communes complete building new-style rural areas

By the end of 2021, Hanoi has 12 out of 18 districts completing new-style rural areas. The new-style rural area status of four other districts of Phu Xuyen, Ung Hoa, Me Linh, and Chuong My is pending recognition by the Prime Minister.

This would result in 382 out of 382 communes in Hanoi having completed the task, and make the city the one with the largest number of new-style rural communes. This is particularly important as the agricultural sector proved to be a key pillar for Vietnam’s economic growth during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The rural district of Soc Son is putting a strong focus on promoting new-style rural areas. Photo: Trong Tung

9. Hanoi takes steps to promote socio-cultural development

Hanoi has been putting in place measures to realize the resolution of the 17th city’s Party congress on the development of Hanoi and culture.

In this process, Hanoi’s authorities decided to allocate a budget for investment in socio-culture, especially for healthcare, education, and preservation of historical and cultural heritage in the city.

The Hanoi Party Committee also issued a resolution on promoting cultural industry in Hanoi in the 2021-2025 period, with an orientation to 2030.

10. Keeping national defense, political security, and public order

Hanoi continues to ensure absolute safety for thousands of political, cultural, social events at domestic and international levels. Among key events were the 13th National Party Congress and the general election of deputies of the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure.

The city also has succeeded in curbing traffic accidents in the city and continues promoting the image of Hanoi as a safe, friendly, and peaceful destination for domestic and international tourists.