On July 19, 2024, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong— a distinguished disciple of President Ho Chi Minh, a revered leader of the Party and State, a towering figure among the Vietnamese people, and a beloved citizen of the capital of Hanoi— passed away, leaving an immeasurable void that resonates with deep sorrow among the cadres, party members, soldiers of the capital, and the entire nation.

Upon General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's passing, the nation mourned the loss of a dedicated leader who devoted his life to serving the country and its people. His guidance and encouragement continue to inspire the people of Hanoi to innovate, develop, and uphold their esteemed position in the hearts of the nation and international community.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the people of Hanoi welcomed the New Year at Tran Quoc Pagoda on February 4, 2019. Photo: Pham Hung

Trong holds a special place in his heart for Hanoi, the capital city he deeply cherishes. Every Tet (Lunar New Year) and Spring, he visits to convey New Year greetings, emphasizing his strong bond with the Party Committee, government, and the people of Hanoi. This heartfelt connection underscores his enduring affection and close ties to the city.

Believe in the capital's evolution

On January 19, 2023, as the entire nation prepared to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Cat, Trong visited Hanoi to extend his New Year greetings to the Party Committee, government, and people.

The visit was made amidst the nation's robust recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, in which he acknowledged the profound efforts of Hanoi's Party Committee, the government, and its resilient citizens. Despite the adversities of 2022, marked by numerous challenges, the city demonstrated remarkable solidarity, unity, and a commitment to innovation.

He said Hanoi fulfilled its political obligations, surpassing expectations with significant achievements across various sectors. Notably, the city achieved a GRDP growth rate exceeding the national average, the highest recorded in the past decade, reflecting its steadfast progress and unwavering determination.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong wished the capital's workers a Happy New Year before welcoming Spring 2022. Photo: Thanh Hai

The Party Chief underlined that when talking about the capital city of Hanoi, every Vietnamese person feels a deep sense of pride and reverence for its millennia-old civilization, its spirit of heroism and elegance.

"Hanoi is cherished as a bastion of conscience and human dignity, a City for Peace, and 'Even if we travel to the ends of the earth, our hearts still yearn for Hanoi,'" he said.

He said that President Ho Chi Minh had dedicated his lifetime "to the country and the people". The city holds significant milestones in President Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary journey, being one of the longest-standing locations where he lived and worked.

"Many places in Hanoi bear the indelible marks of Uncle Ho's presence. Upon his return to Hanoi, Uncle Ho affectionately referred to it as "Our capital," symbolizing his deep bond with the city and its people," Trong said.

General Secretary Trong passionately reminded Hanoi authorities and its people that citizens of the capital should feel increasingly honored and proud, taking a profound responsibility to continuously cultivate political courage, virtues, ethics, and leadership capabilities. These qualities are essential in guiding the Party and the people towards the continual enhancement of Hanoi—making it more prosperous, more beautiful, civilized, and modern, deserving of the teachings of beloved Uncle Ho, the trust and love of people nationwide, and international friends alike.

Special regard for Hanoi's cultural heritage

The significance of Hanoi's culture and people were issues General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has consistently emphasized during his interactions as a National Assembly delegate representing the Hanoi City Delegation. In a meeting with voters in the capital city one year ago, he underscored that culture serves as the lifeblood and pivotal force driving the development of the capital.

He expressed that Hanoi, as the heart of Vietnam, stands as the foremost urban center, a pinnacle of the country's politics and culture. Hence, how Hanoians can uphold and advance the capital's cultural heritage is a matter of perpetual significance and heartfelt concern.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stressed that as the cultural capital, Hanoi should require all levels of government, branches, and officials to prioritize cultural issues in daily interactions and activities—whether walking, dining, or conversing. Hanoi boasts numerous precious cultural treasures and traditions that serve as the lifeblood and foundation of its development. "Preserving and promoting these values, identities, and ancestral legacies is the foremost duty of our generation."

"With its legacy of millennia-old civilization and heroism, as the 'capital of conscience and human values' distinguished by its chivalry and elegance, the Party and State entrust the Hanoi Party, Government, and to uphold these proud traditions and continue advancing both the nation and the capital," said the General Secretary.

Imbued with the invaluable guidance of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Hanoi has made remarkable strides in comprehensive development across all sectors in recent years. Highlighting the cultivation of a refined and civilized populace, Hanoi places significant emphasis on nurturing its cultural heritage and elevating Hanoi's culture and its people into profound assets and vital resources crucial for the sustainable and holistic development of the capital.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong met with voters of Hanoi ahead of the 5th Session of the 15th National Assembly. Photo: VNA