On the occasion of the opening of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the capital city of Hanoi, Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Duy Ngoc granted an interview to the press, reviewing the capital’s outstanding achievements in the past term and affirming Hanoi’s pioneering political responsibility in thoroughly grasping and concretising the Central Committee’s vision and strategic orientations.

With the guiding principle of “discipline and professionalism - breakthroughs and creativity - efficiency and sustainability,” Hanoi has demonstrated strong determination in action, promoting its role as the nation’s centre and growth engine, laying foundations and creating momentum for national development in the new era.

Looking back on the 13th National Party Congress term and 40 years of renewal, how do you assess Hanoi’s outstanding contributions to the country’s overall achievements?

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Duy Ngoc: The term of the 13th National Party Congress and the 40-year journey of renewal have marked an important, comprehensive and breakthrough stage in national development, affirming the mettle, intellect and aspiration for advancement of our nation. As the capital city and the heart of the country, Hanoi has always been deeply aware of its pioneering and exemplary responsibility in implementing the Central Committee’s guidelines and resolutions, particularly the strategic decisions of the Politburo, the Secretariat and the Party General Secretary, thereby creating spillover momentum for the entire country.

Building on its potential and strengths, and drawing on a tradition of solidarity, resilience and creativity, the Hanoi Party Committee, authorities and people have made tireless efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges, successfully implementing the Resolution of the 17th Hanoi Party Congress for the 2020 - 2025 term.

Notably, 2025 marked a breakthrough milestone. Hanoi took the lead in restructuring its organisational apparatus and implementing the two-tier local government model, reorganising 526 wards, communes and townships into 126 wards and communes. The political system under the two-tier local government model has been put into operation, gradually addressing obstacles and bottlenecks, leading the way in decentralisation, administrative reform and digital transformation. This has generated a new shift in development-oriented thinking and action, improving the quality and effectiveness of services for people and businesses.

Despite simultaneously undertaking many unprecedented tasks, the city maintained the uninterrupted operation of all activities and fulfilled major development targets and tasks, ensuring three pillars: high economic growth, firm national defence and security, and social welfare. For the first time in many years, Hanoi met and exceeded all 24 out of 24 key development indicators. GRDP growth reached 8.16%, surpassing the target of 8% and significantly higher than in 2024 (6.52%). The city’s economic scale reached approximately USD 63.5 billion, with per capita income at USD 7,200. State budget revenue totalled VND 711 trillion, equivalent to 138.4% of the estimate, the highest level in many years. Public investment disbursement reached nearly VND 90 trillion, equivalent to 106.8% of the plan assigned by the Prime Minister.

The 14th National Congress of the Party is taking place in Hanoi and is seen as a milestone opening a new era of national advancement. How has Hanoi prepared itself to be worthy of being the starting point of this historic journey?

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Duy Ngoc: These days, Hanoi is immersed in an especially significant political atmosphere, as the entire Party, people and military focus on the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, a historic event shaping the strategic vision and action programme for the country’s new development stage. For Hanoi, this is not only the honour of hosting the event but also the highest political responsibility before the Party and the people nationwide.

We are deeply aware that after 40 years of renewal, the country has accumulated sufficient momentum and capacity to enter a new phase of strong advancement. As the nation’s central hub and capital city, Hanoi must be the place where the spirit, vision and requirements for renewal set forth by the 14th National Congress are most clearly and earliest manifested. The shared mindset of the entire political system and people of the capital can be summed up in two words: readiness and pioneering spirit.

“Readiness” in all aspects to ensure the Congress is organised safely, solemnly and thoughtfully; and “pioneering” in swiftly and effectively translating the Congress’s decisions into reality.

From the very first weeks and months of 2026, the city proactively and decisively implemented its political tasks, concretising the Central Committee’s guiding ideas into the city’s action programmes. Thoroughly grasping the direction of Party General Secretary To Lam that “Hanoi says what it does, acts swiftly, correctly, effectively and to the end,” the Hanoi Party Committee and the entire political system have demonstrated strong political resolve, a proactive and pioneering spirit, daring to think, act and take responsibility, leading the way in realising the Party’s strategic vision and turning national aspirations for prosperity into tangible outcomes that the people of Hanoi and the whole country can see, feel and benefit from.

At its recent fourth meeting, the Hanoi Party Committee discussed the ‘trilogy’ of institutions, 100-year vision planning and development model. Is this a systematic preparation for Hanoi to pioneer the new era?

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Duy Ngoc: Indeed. For Hanoi to truly advance in the new era, alongside major political tasks, the city Party Committee has identified and prioritised three strategically significant, long-term issues: proposing a new resolution to replace Resolution 15 on directions and tasks for capital development to 2030 with a vision to 2045; amending the Capital Law; and developing the capital’s master plan with a 100-year vision. This constitutes a three-pillar framework, establishes a synchronised institutional foundation, opens new development space and shapes a modern growth model, creating momentum and room for Hanoi’s breakthrough development in the coming period.

The 100-year master plan not only designs urban and rural development space but, more importantly, defines the capital’s stature, identity and socio-economic structure in the long term, positioning Hanoi in close linkage with the capital region, the nation and the world. On that basis, institutions, with the Politburo resolution and the Capital Law at the core, serve as the political foundation and legal pillar to fundamentally remove institutional bottlenecks, while creating powerful frameworks and tools to translate strategic orientations into concrete, sustainable and far-reaching development drivers.

Accordingly, the development model is oriented towards a strong shift from resource-based, extensive growth to growth driven by science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and high-quality human resources. With the guiding principle of “breakthrough action, spreading results,” the city is developing scenarios to achieve double-digit growth, at 11% or higher in 2026, and sustain stability over many years, with very large social investment needs estimated at around VND 730 trillion in 2026 alone. To this end, Hanoi is accelerating digital infrastructure projects, smart urban areas, urban railway systems, and green, digital and circular economy models, while issuing an action plan to implement Resolution No. 57NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in Hanoi in 2026.

To turn these strategic orientations into reality, how decisive are the human factor, the contingent of cadres and public consensus?

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Duy Ngoc: Any long-term planning or special mechanism, no matter how well designed, will remain on paper without a cadre contingent of sufficient integrity and capability, and the support and companionship of the people. Hanoi consistently regards cadre work as the “key of keys,” requiring the building of a contingent that is politically steadfast, morally upright, professionally competent, innovative, and courageous in thinking, acting and taking responsibility for the common good in the context of digital transformation and deep integration.

The reality of 2025 vividly demonstrated this. Many tasks were new and difficult, initially facing doubts and concerns, but when the entire Party Committee showed strong mettle and determination, the whole political system acted in unison and the people placed their trust and support, Hanoi achieved results beyond expectations. These figures reflect not only economic development but, more profoundly, the strength of great national unity and unity of will and action across society.

Entering 2026, the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Congress, Hanoi has clearly defined its action motto of “discipline and professionalism - breakthroughs and creativity - efficiency and sustainability,” requiring all levels and sectors to operate in a coordinated manner along four pillars: the Party, the People’s Council, the People’s Committee, and the Fatherland Front and socio-political organisations, particularly in addressing difficult tasks, with clear assignments, consistent supervision and accountability.

With strong determination across the political system and the consensus and joint efforts of the people, I firmly believe that Hanoi will gradually realise the goal of building a “cultured, civilised, modern and happy” capital, achieving sustainable and comprehensive development, becoming a liveable and globally connected city, worthy of its role as the nation’s centre and growth engine.

Thanks for sharing!