Draft law to boost capital city’s breakthrough development

Hanoi’s NA Deputy Hoang Van Cuong

The draft document includes a dedicated chapter on regional connectivity and development, which highlights Hanoi’s role as a growth driver in the region and the Red River Delta, and specifies preferential investment policies for projects conducted between Hanoi and other municipalities, rather than limiting it to the capital region.

Speaking at the 7th session of the 15th National Assembly, on May 28, Hanoi’s NA Deputy Hoang Van Cuong highly rated the draft law for the capital city, saying that it will create a superior legal framework to attract investment in and develop Hanoi comprehensively.

However, Clause 1 of the draft law’s Article 3 should be amended to state that the central urban area of Hanoi shall undertake the main functions of the capital, while specifying what is part of this central area, Cuong said.

NA discussions are of extremely important significance, aiming to ease the long-lasting problems in a timely manner and ensure the revised law for the capital city provides superior, feasible policies for Hanoi and it will be implemented efficiently.

Quang Nam Province’s NA Deputy Ta Van Ha said he believes that the amended law will help Hanoi make a breakthrough and become a capital city of regional and global stature.

Ha said Hanoi needs more landmark projects, and suggested that laws and policies be adopted to attract world-class architects to help the capital have additional such impressive projects.

Dong Thap Province’s NA Deputy Pham Van Hoa said he supports the special case to be made for the capital city, but added that it needed to be considered in the light of other regulations.

He added that public educational, vocational and science-technology institutions are allowed to establish businesses in order to commercialize their scientific research results and intellectual properties.

Dong Thap Province’s NA Deputy Pham Van Hoa

However, allowing public employees, who work at these institutions, to start a business is in question, as the current Law on Cadres and Civil Servants does not let public employees establish or manage companies.

In addition to greater responsibilities and decision-making power, the capital law amendment also outlines how underground spaces in the city could be used and categorized according to their functions for use and management. Depth limits will be stipulated by the Government.

According to NA Deputy Tran Chi Cuong from the central coastal city of Da Nang, the draft law for the capital city submitted to the National Assembly at the 7th session allows Hanoi to take the initiative in the arrangement and organization of specialized agencies and administrative organizations in accordance with the actual development demands in specific periods, as well as limits the establishment of too many agencies and units.

The draft document also allows the city’s People’s Committee to decide on the establishment and expansion of high-tech zones and their operation regulations, as well as detailing special mechanisms for non-business units in these areas, including the National Innovation Center at Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park.

Hanoi will also be able to authorize controlled trials for new technologies, products, services or new business models in alignment with the city’s management capacity.