The East Side of the city is transforming.

Thu Duc City is expected to be the leading hub, contributing one-third of Ho Chi Minh City's Gross Regional Product (GRDP). After an initial period of operation under restrictive conditions, with Resolution 98 of the National Assembly on piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Duc City has applied them flexibly and has initially achieved commendable results.

Public officials at the Thu Duc City Public Administration Center receive administrative procedures from citizens.

Reorganize the government apparatus.

During meetings, the Secretary of the Thu Duc City Party Committee, Nguyen Huu Hiep, repeatedly emphasized that Resolution 98 is not a "magic wand" that will help Thu Duc City develop rapidly immediately, but it is a superior mechanism and policy, and Thu Duc City has closely followed and flexibly applied these mechanisms and policies to create momentum for itself.

Recognizing the limitations still faced after nearly three years since its establishment, Thu Duc City has proactively improved the internal workings of its government apparatus. Specifically, it has quickly established several centers, departments, and divisions; and reorganized departments and divisions to maximize their functions and tasks. To date, the administrative organization in Thu Duc City has 16 specialized departments and divisions, including 8 specialized agencies that have remained unchanged, 5 specialized agencies that have been renamed, and 2 newly established agencies: the Department of Transportation and Public Works and the Public Administration Center.

In the public sector, Thu Duc City has piloted the establishment of a Social Security Center, a Technical Infrastructure Development Center, and a Trade and Investment Promotion Center. Additionally, Thu Duc City has merged the Cultural Center with the Sports Center to form the Cultural and Sports Center.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Thu Duc City, Hoang Tung, shared that the goal of completing the Thu Duc City government apparatus is to better fulfill the tasks of socio -economic development and improve the quality of service to the people. The head of the Thu Duc City government affirmed that all activities of Thu Duc City revolve around the goal of building a civilized, modern city with a high quality of life. "Officials and civil servants of Thu Duc City are not afraid of difficulties, always innovating with the highest determination to fulfill the task of being the first 'city within a city' in the country," Mr. Hoang Tung expressed.

A series of infrastructure projects have been invested in and constructed.

The efforts of the Party Committee and the government of Thu Duc City have gradually yielded results and have been recognized by the people. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Quang (residing in Quarter 2, Phu Huu Ward) commented that since its establishment, people have only now truly felt the vibrancy of Thu Duc City in the development of transportation and social infrastructure. Mr. Quang, like more than 1 million people in Thu Duc City, hopes that these projects will soon be put into use, helping people to travel more conveniently and adding further impetus for Thu Duc City to develop further.

In particular, Thu Duc City has restarted the Nam Ly Bridge, Tang Long Bridge, and Long Dai Bridge projects after more than 5 years of being stalled due to land acquisition issues. To date, the Long Dai Bridge, connecting Long Binh and Long Phuoc wards, has been opened to traffic. Also in 2023, the An Phu intersection in Thu Duc City commenced construction and contractors are working diligently to ensure completion on schedule (expected completion by April 30, 2025). Notably, the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 project, with over 15km passing through Thu Duc City, has essentially handed over the land to the investor. In addition, several large projects funded by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, such as the Project for 2 sections of La Xuan Oai Road and the My Thuy Interchange Construction Project, have also had their procedures completed for disbursement of public investment funds. These projects contribute to ensuring that the disbursement of public investment in 2023 in Thu Duc City meets the tasks assigned by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.

Cat Lai intersection, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: HOANG HUNG

Many social housing and worker rental housing projects in Thu Duc City are entering the completion phase. In early 2024, Thu Duc City began construction on 22 school projects with a total investment of over 3,500 billion VND. Simultaneously, the city is focusing on the renovation and operation of the Saigon River waterfront park in Thu Thiem ward (the section from Ba Son bridge to the Saigon River tunnel). Besides green spaces with sunflower fields, Thu Duc City is also providing areas for other public activities such as squares, piers, pedestrian bridges, and rock parks to attract residents and tourists.

According to Chairman of Thu Duc City People's Committee Hoang Tung, these are important projects, serving as a foundation for a real transformation of Thu Duc City's appearance and significantly improving transportation and housing for residents next year.

Thu Duc City is also focusing on researching and proposing specific project lists to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee for priority allocation of public investment capital and other sources of capital (ODA, PPP); at the same time, focusing on exploiting land along new transportation axes in the area to renovate and develop the urban area, and improve the quality of life for residents.

To further accelerate the implementation of projects and programs in all fields, aiming for significant changes from the city level to the grassroots, the Thu Duc City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee launched a 500-day intensive emulation campaign to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025). In the initial phase, Thu Duc City received nearly 370 projects and programs in all fields. Among them, many large-scale projects and programs were registered for implementation, such as: striving to build 5,000 social housing units; commencing construction of the Truong Tho Central Urban Area and the Thu Duc City Administrative Center; and commencing construction of the Rach Chiec Medical and Sports Urban Area…

PHUONG UYEN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/bo-dong-thanh-pho-chuyen-minh-post725813.html