As a metropolitan area in western Hanoi, Ha Dong District must find appropriate ways to drive its socio-economic growth and improve people's living conditions, according to Dinh Tien Dung, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee.

Van Phuc Silk Village in Ha Dong District. Photo: The Hanoi Times

The district Party committee and government must strengthen the organizational structure to become more creative, and suited to work for the people's interest, Dinh Tien Dung said at a meeting on July 26.

"It will improve the performance of Government agencies and officials and strengthen discipline among local units," he said.

Ha Dong District must take measures to boost socio-economic conditions in a sustainable way, prioritizing the development of services, tourism, handicraft villages, local markets, and key facilities such as schools.

The district authorities must focus on long-term projects and activities and solve existing problems in socio-economic growth.

Regarding transportation and infrastructure, Dung urged local authorities to soon complete the construction of National Highway No.6, which runs through the district.

Other major projects include the urban railway and a road linking Ha Dong to Xuan Mai town, Dung said.

"Ha Dong must drastically deal with delayed projects, invest more in education and health services to boost local cultural industries, and improve people's living conditions," he urged.

Tran Sy Thanh, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, praised the district's recent achievements but urged it to speed up its Build-Transfer (BT) projects, review all land designated for social and urban development projects, and complete land clearance for transportation projects.

According to Nguyen Thi Tuyen, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, Ha Dong must find a way to help the local handicraft village fully realize its potential.

She said the district should improve transportation infrastructure for existing urban residential areas, resolve land issues, and address environmental pollution, especially pollution in the Nhue River.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Hanoi People's Council Nguyen Ngoc Tuan highlighted Ha Dong District's efforts to clear 84% of the project areas for constructing Ring Road No.4 to start on schedule.

However, with its long history and rich cultural values, Ha Dong should have large-scale development plans that address land management, construction, and environmental issues to ensure social security, Tuan said.

Regarding the cultural industry, Nguyen Van Phong, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, said the district should give more thought to developing cultural facilities. 

"Ha Dong is the center of the western side of Hanoi, so the district and the Department of Urban Planning and Architecture must develop several key facilities to meet the needs of people living in the western region of Hanoi, including those in Ha Dong, Chuong My and Thanh Oai districts," Phong said. 

In 2022, Ha Dong District achieved 22 of 23 socio-economic growth tasks and exceeded expectations in 13 tasks.

In 2023, the district plans to accomplish 26 tasks, 14 of which must be completed in the year's first half.

After six months, 11 out of 14 tasks have been fulfilled, six of them overfulfilled.

In 2021-2025, Ha Dong District plans to spend a total of VND3.8 trillion (US$160.3 million) on public investment projects. In 2021 and 2022, the total disbursements were VND615 billion (US$26 million) and VND463 billion (US$19.5 million).

In the first half of 2023, the district collected VND2 trillion (US$84.5 million) for the State budget, or 38.7% of the full-year target.

Ha Dong District used to be the capital of Ha Tay Province, which lies west and southwest of Hanoi. In August 2008, Hanoi merged with Ha Tay Province, making Ha Dong one of the megacity's districts.