Ho Chi Minh City is a major economic center of the country - Photo: VAN TRUNG
Many opinions expressed yesterday, December 8th, in the National Assembly pointed out that establishing a special mechanism is not only aimed at resolving existing difficulties and obstacles, but also has strategic significance in modeling a more effective and sustainable approach to urban development, in line with the requirements of the next development phase for the three cities.
This will create a breakthrough mechanism for Hanoi in implementing projects, ensuring feasibility and building a capital city that develops more smoothly, greener, cleaner, and more efficiently. This will reduce pressure on neighboring localities, increase regional connectivity, and create momentum for overall national development.
In particular, increasing the autonomy of Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang in choosing investment methods, selecting strategic investors, and utilizing flexible public-private partnership (PPP) models are crucial conditions for Ho Chi Minh City to maintain its leading position and for Da Nang to become a new growth pole in Central Vietnam, spreading its influence to neighboring localities.
"Ho Chi Minh City cannot wear the same institutional cloak for everyone."
Representative Hoang Van Cuong (Hanoi) stated that Ho Chi Minh City has long been a major economic center of the country, a dynamic and innovative region, a place where new management institutions are pioneered and then replicated nationwide. After the merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau, the potential and position of Ho Chi Minh City are now even stronger.
Therefore, he pointed out that "a large entity like Ho Chi Minh City cannot wear the same institutional cloak" as other localities in the country, but needs its own broader institutional framework, creating a space for Ho Chi Minh City to freely innovate and develop.
He suggested three points for revising Resolution 98. First, it is necessary to review and remove all regulations that are preventing the implementation of special mechanisms. He pointed out the first clause, which stipulates that the City People's Council has the right to use local budget funds for a series of tasks, but attaches the condition of "complying with the provisions of the law."
He pointed out, "If we do that, then the higher-level mechanisms won't need to ask for permission at all, because we'll just follow the regulations as they are."
Secondly, he proposed that the draft should not list but only stipulate principles and criteria, and then leave it to the City People's Council to decide on the list of projects that need to be prioritized for attracting strategic investment.
In addition, the draft resolution should include a provision stating that if specific regulations different from those in current law are needed, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council may issue a resolution and report to the Government for submission to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration and reporting to the National Assembly at the nearest session. If this mechanism is in place, Ho Chi Minh City will truly have a space for innovation, a new management mechanism, and will genuinely become a "laboratory for institutional reform" for the entire country.
Delegate Duong Khac Mai (Lam Dong) also cited the summary report on the implementation of Resolution 98, which pointed out that many issues still require central government approval due to constraints imposed by current legal regulations, leading to missed opportunities for breakthroughs and slowing down the city's development process.
Therefore, he suggested that a fundamental revision is needed, eliminating the content that is creating "bottlenecks" in the implementation of Resolution 98.
In particular, the National Assembly has assigned the task of establishing an international financial center in this locality, so the mechanism must be open, ensuring sufficient transparency both internally and externally, in order to build and develop it. "Any specific provisions that differ from the current laws should be stipulated directly in this resolution," Mr. Mai proposed.
Of course, according to him, expanding the mechanism requires a monitoring mechanism so that everything is controlled and adjusted in a timely manner. "If that happens, the city will truly become a place to test the institution, thereby helping us to perfect the institution so that we can replicate it appropriately to the conditions of each locality in the country to develop together," Mr. Mai added.
Representative Nguyen Van Loi (Head of the Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly Delegation) expressed his agreement on the need for stronger decentralization and delegation of power to localities, especially those with the necessary conditions to organize and implement large-scale projects.
Regarding investment decentralization and investment attraction, he proposed that local authorities, specifically the People's Councils and People's Committees, be given the authority to decide on all intra-regional projects, especially strategic infrastructure investments, while seeking central government approval for connecting infrastructure.
Similarly, free trade zones should also empower local authorities to make decisions regarding project planning, appraisal, and organization, provided they are included in the planning and strictly adhere to regulations on investment decentralization and the prevention of corruption and malpractice.
Hanoi is investing in more Metro lines to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution - Photo: TTO
Hanoi strives to be on par with the capitals of other countries in the region.
Regarding the draft resolution on piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for implementing large projects in the capital city, delegate Le Huu Tri (Khanh Hoa) stated that the National Assembly's consideration aims to create a legal basis for the capital city to promptly resolve obstacles and remove institutional bottlenecks.
Simultaneously, we must mobilize and effectively utilize resources to promote the rapid, sustainable, and modern development of the capital city, so that it can soon become a driving force for the development of the Red River Delta region, the key economic zone of Northern Vietnam, and the entire country. We strive to develop the capital city to be on par with the capitals of developed countries in the region.
Furthermore, it is essential to definitively address issues such as traffic congestion; urban order; building a green, clean, beautiful, and civilized city; dealing with environmental pollution, water pollution; and urban and suburban flooding, contributing to the realization of the capital's development vision by 2045.
He suggested a thorough review to ensure adherence to principles, only stipulating a few specific, superior, appropriate, and truly necessary policy mechanisms for implementing major, important projects in the capital. These mechanisms must fall under the authority of the National Assembly but are not yet regulated by law or differ from existing legal provisions.
Along with that, a thorough review and assessment of the mechanism's impact is needed. Regulations should be issued to clearly define the responsibilities of each level, especially the responsibility of the head of each agency, in leading, directing, organizing, implementing, and inspecting the implementation of mechanisms and policies.
Representative Nguyen Huu Thong (Lam Dong) also argued that allowing new investment projects to renovate infrastructure to address urgent issues such as traffic congestion, flooding, environmental pollution, and urban order—which are considered chronic problems and a "specialty" of Hanoi—is unacceptable.
He emphasized that implementing the project through a public investment mechanism is urgent, and the emergency construction order is a response to Hanoi's current practical needs. Without a breakthrough legal mechanism to accelerate the implementation of investment preparation procedures as stipulated, social costs will continue to increase, directly affecting the lives of millions of capital city residents and undermining urban competitiveness in the long term.
However, to ensure the effectiveness of this mechanism, he suggested adding regulations to expand the mobilization of the private sector in urgent projects, allowing for the application of specific, streamlined public-private partnership models for projects addressing traffic congestion, flooding, and environmental pollution. "Hanoi has significant potential for social mobilization; if exploited effectively, it will significantly reduce the burden on the budget," Mr. Thong stated.
Regarding the draft resolution on the development of Da Nang, delegate Nguyen Tam Hung (Ho Chi Minh City) argued that after the merger, Da Nang has the largest area in the country among centrally-administered cities, and the pressure to connect East-West and North-South demands a breakthrough in infrastructure.
Therefore, he fully supports allowing Da Nang to decide on planning and technical indicators that differ from national standards in the TOD area, as well as allowing multi-functional development on station land, retaining 100% of the revenue from TOD to reinvest in urban railway.
This mechanism is in line with international practices and creates momentum for the formation of new growth poles. However, he noted the need to add accompanying requirements to ensure adequate technical and social infrastructure and control population density, avoiding uncontrolled development.
He strongly supports a mechanism that allows for the simultaneous creation of tasks and detailed plans, a single consultation process, and the participation of selected investors in the planning process. This mechanism helps Da Nang accelerate the planning process, shorten project preparation time, reduce administrative costs, and attract strategic investors.
* Representative TRINH XUAN AN (Dong Nai):
Proposal for a separate law on Ho Chi Minh City.
Regarding the amendment and supplementation of some articles of Resolution 98, I completely agree with the delegate's opinion that perhaps it is time for a law here, and the delegate used the term "megacity law." Since a "megacity law" might be difficult to create, I propose a separate law specifically for Ho Chi Minh City.
Hanoi, the capital city, already has its own Law on the Capital City. As for Ho Chi Minh City, the leading city of the country, especially now with its enormous scale, it should have its own separate law. At the same time, it should integrate the provisions of the current special mechanisms; this would address the fundamental issues and give the city more room for development.
* Delegate TRINH THI TU ANH (Lam Dong):
The right direction
The free trade zone in Ho Chi Minh City is a "test of institutional thinking" in the context of the country seeking new growth drivers. In terms of management thinking, the essence of a free trade zone is to create a new institutional operating rhythm. The experiences of Shanghai, Singapore, and Busan all demonstrate the responsiveness of their administrative systems to the dynamics of the global market.
In this context, local authorities must be empowered to act more proactively than usual, ensuring that decision-making keeps pace with the rapid changes in trade, finance, and logistics – sectors that fluctuate daily, even hourly. Therefore, the draft granting authority to the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City is a correct direction, consistent with practical requirements and international practices.
Proposing specific policies for high-speed rail projects.
Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh has submitted to the National Assembly a proposal to supplement mechanisms and policies applicable to the North-South high-speed railway project. The government proposes specific policies for the project related to land clearance and will continue to review other policies.
The policy proposed by the Government is to separate the compensation, support, resettlement, and relocation of power lines with voltages of 110kV and above into an independent project, with funding allocated from the state budget. During periods when the National Assembly is not in session, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly will be authorized to consider and decide on supplementing and adjusting specific mechanisms and policies for the investment method to ensure timely project implementation.
The draft resolution stipulates that Ho Chi Minh City is allowed to use 100% of its revenue from urban development projects oriented towards public transportation. (In the photo: Metro Line 1 running through An Phu station - Photo: VAN TRUNG)
Allow Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang to use 100% of the revenue from TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) urban development.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang emphasized that the Government's submission to the National Assembly of the draft resolution on special mechanisms and policies for Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang are all groundbreaking solutions, many of which differ from the law.
This is to attract investment resources, contributing to the realization of double-digit growth targets as well as high growth for the three cities in the coming period, in accordance with the Politburo's policy and the directives of General Secretary To Lam.
Regarding policies within free trade zones, Minister Nguyen Van Thang stated that the draft resolution allows Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang to add groundbreaking and innovative policies to promote exports, industry, research and development, and attract high-quality human resources.
This ensures policy consistency and attracts investment among the free trade zones of the three cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hai Phong, based on a unified legal framework that the National Assembly has approved for pilot implementation in Hai Phong and Da Nang.
According to Mr. Thang, unifying and synchronizing the policy framework among the three free trade zones not only ensures fairness and consistency in implementation but also creates a network of interconnected growth poles with the potential for widespread impact. This will directly contribute to the overall development goals of the country.
He added that, based on the experience of countries that have implemented free trade zones, the formation of free trade zones creates opportunities for the formation of a supporting network including logistics, supporting industries, business support services, human resource training, urban areas, worker housing, security centers, etc.
This is the driving force behind regional linkages, helping to encourage businesses in different areas to participate in regional value chains, rather than competing directly.
According to him, the draft resolution stipulating that Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang City are allowed to use 100% of the revenue from Transport-Oriented Development (TOD) is intended to standardize the application of the law.
The Railway Law stipulates that provincial-level local governments retain 100% of the revenue, while the State Budget Law stipulates that the central government receives 20% and the local government receives 80%. This also facilitates localities in ensuring concentrated resources for the implementation of local railway projects and transportation projects under the TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) model. The scope of revenue retention from land does not expand compared to the provisions of the 2025 Railway Law.
Regarding expanding priority sectors to attract strategic investors, the Minister presented a draft proposal to supplement the list of priority projects for attracting strategic investors. Specifically, there are 11 groups for Ho Chi Minh City and 12 groups of projects for Da Nang City to attract large-scale projects with potential, creating new growth drivers and having a strong ripple effect on socio-economic development.
In addition, the draft has designed appropriate incentive mechanisms, ensuring a complete and flexible legal framework for localities in selecting investors with financial capacity, technology, and modern management, contributing to the formation of large-scale projects with ripple effects and promoting the economic restructuring process towards industrial and high-tech services.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/co-che-phai-mo-de-trong-du-thong-ngoai-du-thoang-phat-trien-ha-noi-tp-hcm-da-nang-20251209095238263.htm
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