President: Building Hai Phong into a city of innovation and startups

President Luong Cuong and delegates attend the ceremony to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Hai Phong Liberation Day (May 13, 1955 - May 13, 2025). Photo: VPCTN

Attending the ceremony were comrades: Former President Truong Tan Sang; former National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan; Do Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Tran Luu Quang, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission.

Also attending were Party Central Committee members: Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Vu Hong Thanh; leaders of central departments, ministries, Hai Phong city and some localities; international guests; revolutionary veterans, Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Labor Heroes, veterans, intellectuals, religious dignitaries, businessmen and a large number of Hai Phong people.

Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Party Central Committee member and Hai Phong City Party Secretary Le Tien Chau said that 70 years ago, on May 13, 1955, the people of Hai Phong jubilantly welcomed the troops that entered to take over and completely liberate the city, successfully implementing the Politburo's Resolution (September 1954) on taking over major cities, opening up favorable conditions for national construction on a national scale. That historic victory completely ended the domination of French colonialism in Hai Phong, bringing the North into the period of building socialism, becoming a great rear for the South.

President Luong Cuong pinned the Heroic City badge on the traditional flag of the Party Committee, government and people of Hai Phong City. Photo: VPCTN

Looking back over the past 70 years, the Party Committee, government, army and people of the city are extremely proud of the great achievements they have made. From a city devastated by war, Hai Phong has risen strongly, becoming one of the leading economic, cultural, scientific - technological and service centers of the country. In 2024, Hai Phong's economic scale will rise to 5th place nationwide, the only locality in the country to maintain a double-digit growth rate for 10 consecutive years; budget revenue ranks 3rd, attracting foreign investment FDI ranks 2nd in the country. In particular, Hai Phong is honored to be at the top of the rankings of 3 very important indexes: Provincial Competitiveness Index PCI, Administrative Reform Index PAR Index, and People's Satisfaction Index with State Administrative Services SIPAS.

Hai Phong City Party Secretary Le Tien Chau reads a commemorative speech. Photo: VPCTN

Along with economic development, the city focuses on synchronous and harmonious development of the cultural and social fields with important achievements in culture, education and training, health care, science - technology, sports, literature and arts, etc. The city has issued many breakthrough policies with strong humanistic and outstanding features such as regimes and policies for people with revolutionary contributions and vulnerable groups in society; implementing free tuition for all levels of education; specific policies to support people in poor and near-poor households; supporting vocational training, etc.

The achievements that the city has gained over the past time are enormous, comprehensive and of great significance, and are invaluable assets to be preserved and further promoted. These are the results of the leadership, direction, attention, support and assistance of the leaders of the Party, the State, the Central ministries and branches, together with the determination, flexibility and creativity in promulgating and implementing correct policies and guidelines for the benefit of the people, creating consensus in society.

President Luong Cuong presented the title of Heroic City to the Party Committee, government and people of Hai Phong City. Photo: VPCTN

President Luong Cuong presented the title of Heroic City to the Party Committee, government and people of Hai Phong City. Photo: VPCTN

Entering a new stage of development, deeply aware of its role and responsibility at the historical moment when the country enters a new era of development, Hai Phong determines that it must strive to reach the same level as typical cities in Asia; become a modern international seaport city, leading the country in the cause of industrialization and modernization; and be an international economic, educational, training, scientific and technological center.

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Hai Phong City Liberation Day, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, President Luong Cuong awarded the title "Heroic City" to the Party Committee, government and people of Hai Phong City.

President Luong Cuong speaks at the ceremony. Photo: VPCTN

At the ceremony, the President pointed out that in the thousands of years of building and defending the country of the Vietnamese people, Hai Phong has always held an important strategic position. The people of Hai Phong, with their steadfastness, courage, intelligence and creativity, have made many important contributions to affirming national independence, territorial sovereignty and Dai Viet civilization and left a deep mark in the glorious victories of the Vietnamese people. Geographical factors, historical circumstances and culture have forged the noble qualities of the people of Hai Phong: Courageous, determined to win; daring to think, daring to do, straightforward, honest; generous, enthusiastic; thinking big, doing big, doing decisively.

Highlighting the significance of the Hai Phong liberation event, the President assessed that after 70 years, Hai Phong has achieved many particularly important achievements, not only having great significance for the city's development, but also affirming its role, position and important contributions to the country's development.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, the President highly appreciated the achievements, results and great contributions in the struggle for national independence; as well as in the cause of innovation, construction, development of the country and firmly protecting the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam of the Party Committee, government, people and armed forces of Hai Phong city over the past 70 years.

The President said that in the coming time, on the solid foundation and important achievements gained after 70 years of liberation, Hai Phong has a great opportunity to become the leading city in the country in the cause of industrialization and modernization, standing shoulder to shoulder with typical cities in Asia; contributing to the whole country confidently entering a new era - the era of strong development and prosperity of the nation.

The President requested the Party Committee, government, army and people of Hai Phong to focus on promoting the achievements and results, to be highly united and unified, to take advantage of all opportunities, to overcome all difficulties and challenges, and to constantly strive to move forward; in which, to continue to focus on leading and directing the work of building a streamlined, strong, effective and efficient Party and political system; to maintain solidarity within the Party and the political system; to gain consensus and support among the people; to strengthen national defense and security, to promote foreign affairs; to proactively prevent and effectively respond to situations, to avoid being passive or surprised; to maintain a favorable environment for construction and development.

The President requested Hai Phong to proactively review and complete the planning; especially when the competent authority decides to expand new development space towards a modern, green, sea-oriented urban area; develop riverside spaces into sustainable economic and service areas; promote the advantage of Hai Phong as the "main gateway to the sea" of the North, a modern marine economic center, an economic connection center - the driving force for development of the Red River Delta and the entire Northern region.

Referring to the issue of building hard and soft infrastructure in digital transformation, the President said that Hai Phong needs to pay special attention to investing in science, technology and innovation, promoting the application of digital technology in all sectors and fields; aiming to turn Hai Phong into a city of innovation and startups; continuing to focus on implementing 3 strategic breakthroughs, including developing the transport infrastructure system, forming new urban areas, industrial parks, services and tourism; promoting investment attraction, trade, tourism, creating more livelihoods and improving the spiritual and material life of the people.

On the other hand, the President also noted that Hai Phong needs to continue to focus on unlocking and maximizing all social resources to become the center of education - training, healthcare, science - technology of the Northern coastal region; at the same time, remove difficulties and obstacles to accelerate economic development, restructure the economy towards modernity and sustainability; make breakthroughs in administrative reform, improve the investment and business environment, towards international standards in economic cooperation and development; improve the quality and accessibility of public services, ensure social security; build Hai Phong into a civilized and friendly city.

With its important position, great potential and advantages, glorious historical tradition; achievements and valuable experiences after 70 years of liberation, the President believes that the Party Committee, government, army and people of Hai Phong city will continue to unite, overcome all difficulties and challenges, focus on building a city that develops rapidly, sustainably, prosperously, richly, civilizedly and friendly, and people have a prosperous and happy life.

Art program to welcome the ceremony. Photo: VPCTN

Following the celebration is the opening program of the 2025 Red Flamboyant Festival with a large art program with the theme "Hai Phong - 70 years of faith and aspiration to rise up".

The art program was staged with large-scale performances, combining music, dance, live stage and modern technology such as 3D Mapping, Laser Mapping, sound and light effects and artistic fireworks. With three chapters: "Hai Phong - a land of talented people", "The heroic song of loyalty and determination to win", "Hai Phong - belief and aspiration to rise up" and the participation of about 600 artists, singers, actors, the art program recreated the history of the city's development from the past to the present.

At the program, delegates, tourists and people enjoyed the songs: The Party Flag, The Party is My Life, Hai Phong Epic, Uncle Ho's Voice Echoing in the Autumn of the Port City, My Hometown Port, Hai Phong My Childhood, Vietnamese Smiles, We are the World... performed by People's Artist Khanh Hoa, Meritorious Artist Phuong Anh, Meritorious Artist Vu Thang Loi, singers Tung Duong, Pham Thu Ha...

Source: https://vpctn.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/chu-tich-nuoc-xay-dung-hai-phong-tro-thanh-pho-doi-moi-sang-tao-va-khoi-nghiep.html