Hanoi ready to lead 14th Party Congress vision

THE HANOI TIMES — Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Duy Ngoc spoke with the press as the 14th Party Congress opened in Hanoi today [January 19], highlighting the capital’s recent achievements and its responsibility to lead the implementation of the congress’s new strategic directions.

How do you assess Hanoi’s contribution to national development over the 40 years of Doi moi (renewal), including the 13th Party National Congress term (2021-2026)?

The 13th National Party Congress and four decades of renewal marked a period of significant and comprehensive progress for the country, with achievements reflecting the determination, intellect and aspiration of the Vietnamese people to move forward.

As the heart of the nation, Hanoi has always been deeply aware of its responsibility to take the lead in implementing central policies and major Party resolutions, especially strategic decisions of the Politburo, the Secretariat and the Party General Secretary. Our goal has been to act as a model and to create momentum that can spread to other localities.

Drawing on its potential and strengths, and with a tradition of unity, resilience and creativity, the municipal Party, the authorities and the people of Hanoi worked to overcome numerous difficulties and challenges. We successfully implemented the resolution of the 17th Hanoi Party Congress for the 2020-2025 term.

The year 2025 marked a particularly important breakthrough as Hanoi took the lead in restructuring its administrative apparatus and rolling out a two-tier local government model. The city consolidated 526 wards, communes and townships into 126 administrative units. The new system came into smooth operation, helping to remove bottlenecks, advance decentralization, promote administrative reform and accelerate digital transformation.

At the same time, the city improved the quality and efficiency of public services for citizens and businesses, creating a new shift in both mindset and action toward a more proactive, results-oriented approach to development

Despite handling many new and unprecedented tasks simultaneously, Hanoi kept all activities running smoothly and fulfilled key development targets, ensuring three core pillars: high economic growth, firm national defense and security, and strong social welfare

For the first time in many years, the city met and exceeded all 24 major development indicators. GRDP grew by 8.16%, surpassing the 8% target and far exceeding the 6.52% recorded in 2024. The size of the economy reached approximately US$63.5 billion, while average income rose to US$7,200 per person.

Meanwhile, state budget revenue reached VND711 trillion (US$28 billion), equivalent to 138.4% of the estimate and the highest level in many years. Public investment disbursement totaled nearly VND90 trillion (US$3.5 billion), exceeding the plan assigned by the prime minister.

The 14th National Party Congress is seen as a milestone opening the new era of development. How is Hanoi preparing to live up to that role?

This is a historic event that will shape the country’s strategic vision and action program for the next stage of development.

For Hanoi, this is not only an honor but also the highest political responsibility. After 40 years of reform, we believe the country has accumulated enough strength and momentum to enter a new phase of strong development.

As the heart of the nation, Hanoi must be the place where the spirit, vision and reform requirements of the congress are reflected most clearly and most quickly.

The mindset of the entire political system and the people of the capital can be summarized in two words “ready” and “pioneering.” Ready in every aspect to serve the congress safely, carefully and with dignity. Pioneering in translating its resolutions into reality as quickly and effectively as possible.

From the first weeks of 2026, the city moved to implement political tasks in a decisive manner, translating central guidance into concrete action programs. Following the directive of Party General Secretary To Lam that Hanoi must say what it does and do what it says, the city has committed to acting swiftly, correctly, and effectively, and to following through to the end.

The municipal Party Committee and the entire political system have affirmed a strong political determination to take the lead in turning strategic vision into practical results.

The city recently discussed three strategic pillars on institutions, a 100-year master plan and a new development model. Is this a systematic preparation for the new era?

Yes, this is a deliberate and long-term preparation.

To ensure Hanoi can truly rise in the new era, the city has identified three strategic priorities, including proposing a new Politburo resolution to replace Resolution 15 on directions for capital development to 2030, with a vision to 2045. The second is revising the Capital Law, while the third is building a 100-year master plan for Hanoi.

These three pillars will create a strong institutional foundation, open new development space and shape a modern growth model. The master plan will not only design urban and rural space but also define the long-term scale, identity and socio-economic structure of the capital, linking Hanoi closely with the capital region, the country and the international community.

On that basis, institutions, especially the Politburo resolution and the Capital Law, will remove deep-rooted policy bottlenecks and create strong tools to turn strategic direction into sustainable development momentum.

The growth model is shifting away from resource-based expansion toward science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and high-quality human resources as the core drivers.

For 2026, the city is building scenarios to target double-digit growth of at least 11% and to sustain strong performance in the following years. To achieve this, Hanoi expects to mobilize about VND730 trillion ($28.7 billion) in social investment in 2026 alone.

Priority projects include digital infrastructure, smart urban areas, urban rail systems and green, digital and circular economy models. We have also issued an action plan to implement Politburo Resolution 57 on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

How decisive is the human factor in turning these strategies into reality?

No matter how well-designed a plan is, it will remain on paper without capable officials and public support.

Hanoi treats cadre work as the most critical task. We must build a team that is politically firm, ethically sound, professionally strong and willing to think boldly, act boldly and take responsibility for the common good.

Experiences of 2025 showed that even difficult and unfamiliar tasks can be completed when the political system acts in unity and the people place their trust in reform.

Entering 2026, our guiding principles are discipline and professionalism, breakthrough and creativity and efficiency and sustainability.

With strong political will and public consensus, I firmly believe that Hanoi will steadily move toward a modern, livable and globally connected capital worthy of its role as the nation’s leading city.

Thank you for your time!