Hanoi has new Mayor

THE HANOI TIMES — The Hanoi People’s Council today [November 28] elected Secretary of the Quang Ninh Province Party Committee Vu Dai Thang as Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee for the 2021–2026 term with unanimous approval from all deputies present.

The move came after the Politburo appointed him Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee on the same day. 

Thang, 50, gains professional training in economics, law and international relations. He earned a master’s degree from Waseda University in Japan. He served as an alternate member of the 12th Party Central Committee and is a full member of the 13th Committee.

Over his 28-year career, he spent 20 years at the Ministry of Planning and Investment (now Ministry of Finance), holding positions ranging from foreign economic specialist to service-sector specialist, then Deputy Director General and Director General of the Economic Zone Management Department.

This period helped him build deep experience in development management, investment and trade, which are core areas of the ministry.

In 2014, he was transferred to the northern province of Ha Nam where he joined the Provincial Party Executive Committee and was elected Vice Chairman of the Province People’s Committee. In 2018, he returned to the ministry as Deputy Minister.

In 2020, he was assigned as Secretary of Quang Binh Provincial Party Committee then four years later was appointed Secretary of the Quang Ninh Province Party Committee for the 2020–2025 term.

In September 2025, he was re-elected for the 2025–2030 term continuing his leadership of Quang Ninh in its new development phase.

Speaking after being elected Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Thang expressed deep emotion and pride, noting that the position is a special honor and also a major political responsibility before the Politburo, the Secretariat, the city Party Committee and the people of the capital.

“This is strong encouragement for me and it also requires greater effort and responsibility for the development of Hanoi,” he said.

He noted that as Hanoi is the heart of the country and the national center of politics and administration, every decision carries weight not only for the capital’s residents but also for the country’s overall progress.

In recent years, with the close guidance of the central leadership and the unity of the city Party Committee, Hanoi has achieved significant and comprehensive progress across all fields.

These results are a shared source of pride and form the foundation for the city to enter a new stage with greater ambition, broader vision, firmer actions and stronger determination, Thang said.

The 18th Congress of the Hanoi Party Committee set the goal for 2030 of building Hanoi into a cultured, civilized and modern capital and a major center of the country in economics, culture, education, health, science, technology and innovation.

The long-term vision for 2045 is a globally connected city with a high standard of living and well-developed economic, cultural and social foundations that reflect the character of the nation.

Thang said he assumes his new role at a time when the country has entered a new era of development with major opportunities and advantages along with complex challenges.

This requires new thinking and new approaches, with stronger and more effective administration of the urban government and more decisive efforts to drive socio-economic development.

He stressed the need to expand the size of the capital’s economy, ensure sustainable growth, increase state budget revenue and keep improving incomes and living conditions for residents.

Thang said as Chairman, he holds the primary responsibility for organizing and ensuring the effectiveness of socio-economic management, public security and the quality of life in the capital.

He said that in executing his duties, he and the municipal People’s Committee will direct and manage socio-economic development and local government operations with discipline, integrity and effectiveness.

“Transparency will be required at every stage and administrative performance will be strengthened. Work will be carried out decisively and consistently under the principles of clear tasks, clear people, clear timelines, clear responsibilities and clear results. Public trust and satisfaction will serve as the final measure of administrative performance,” he stated.

Based on this approach, the leadership of the People’s Committee will soon translate the targets and tasks set by the 18th Party Congress into concrete actions while also implementing major strategic resolutions of the central government.

In his new position, Thang pledged to maintain political integrity, comply with the leadership of the muncipal Party Committee and the oversight of the People’s Council and uphold responsibility and transparency.

He committed to thinking boldly, acting decisively and accepting responsibility. Thang stated that he would place the common interest first, prevent corruption and negative behavior, stay close to the people, respect the people and listen to the people, making their well-being and happiness the center of every decision.

At the session, the municipal People’s Council also approved the request of Nguyen Duc Trung to step down from his position as Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee for the 2021–2026 term due to health conditions and personal reasons.

Five priority tasks of the Hanoi People’s Committee under the new chairman: First, it will work to achieve the highest possible results for the 2025 socio-economic targets. Economic development will continue toward green, digital, creative and sustainable growth. Knowledge-based industries, the digital economy, the circular economy, cultural industries and high-quality services will be promoted. The growth target for 2026 is set at 11% or higher to build a firm foundation for the new term. Second, it will improve the operations of the two-tier local government system. Delegation and authorization will be expanded with strong oversight of power. Administrative procedures will be simplified and digital governance will be advanced. Public and business satisfaction will remain the highest standard for government performance. Third, it will reorganize the urban space under a multi-center model with infrastructure planned and developed ahead of demand. Infrastructure will be treated as the backbone guiding planning and development. The city will focus on urgent issues including transport infrastructure, traffic congestion, environmental pollution, urban flooding, urban upgrading, land management and construction order while promptly addressing difficulties faced by residents and businesses. Fourth, it will preserve cultural values and promote a polite and civilized Hanoi. The heritage of Thang Long–Hanoi will be protected and developed. Social welfare will move in step with economic growth. Fifth, it will safeguard national defense, public security, order and social safety. Situational awareness will be strengthened from an early stage. Crime prevention will be carried out effectively with a focus on cybercrime. Capacity for disaster prevention, search and rescue and climate adaptation will be enhanced.