The ancient capital of Hue enters a new era.

From January 1st, 2025, Hue officially became a centrally-governed city, the 6th centrally-governed city in the country. This momentous event opens a new chapter for the development of the ancient capital.

From January 1st, 2025, Hue officially became a centrally-governed city, the 6th centrally-governed city in the country. This momentous event opens a new chapter for the development of the ancient capital.

Becoming a centrally governed city will open up many new opportunities for Hue.

Over 30 years of aspiration and effort

On the night of December 29, 2024, at the historic Ngo Mon Square, Politburo member and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man presented Resolution 175/2024/QH15 of the National Assembly on the establishment of Hue City as a centrally-governed city to the government and people of Thua Thien Hue province. This is considered a historic moment for this region.

According to Mr. Le Truong Luu, Secretary of the Hue City Party Committee, becoming a centrally-governed city is a momentous event, marking an important step in the locality's construction and development. This is the result of the continuous efforts, determination, and striving of the entire political system, the people, and generations of leaders throughout the years.

“The goals and aspirations of the Party Committee, government, and people of Thua Thien Hue have now become a reality. Hue City has entered a new phase, a phase of construction and development with the mindset of being the first cultural heritage city of Vietnam. This is an important foundation, creating new momentum and enthusiasm for Hue to continue to uphold its glorious historical and revolutionary traditions, build and develop into a smart and distinctive heritage city, and continue to maximize its potential and advantages, creating breakthroughs for rapid and sustainable development,” Mr. Le Truong Luu affirmed.

The leaders and people of Hue City must strive and be more determined so that by 2030, Hue City will be one of the major and distinctive centers in Southeast Asia for culture, tourism, and specialized healthcare. It will also be one of the major centers nationwide for science and technology, and multi-disciplinary, high-quality education and training, as outlined in Resolution No. 54-NQ/TW dated December 10, 2019, of the Politburo.

- Speaker of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man

Going back in time, Hue today, formerly Phu Xuan, was once the capital through the Tay Son and Nguyen dynasties… Therefore, in the flow of history, Hue has always held an extremely important position and role on the S-shaped strip of land that is Vietnam. These characteristics have given Hue unique cultural features, simultaneously preserving its ancient, tranquil, and solemn charm while also embracing modernity.

Hue City was officially established after September 2, 1945, by Decree No. 77 dated December 21, 1945, of the President of the Provisional Government of Vietnam (along with Hanoi, Hai Phong, Nam Dinh, Vinh, Da Nang, Da Lat, and Saigon). In 1989, after the re-establishment of Thua Thien Hue province from Binh Tri Thien province, Hue City became an administrative unit directly under the province. By 1992, Hue became a type II urban area, and in 2005, it was officially recognized as a type I urban area directly under Thua Thien Hue province.

The issue of transforming Thua Thien Hue province into a centrally-governed city was first raised in the 1990s after the separation of Binh Tri Thien province. At that time, Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet expressed his desire for Thua Thien Hue province to become a centrally-governed city, a major center for education, healthcare, and culture for the whole country, and the leading province of Central Vietnam. However, the province's plan faced difficulties in its development and approval due to the insufficient scale of urban infrastructure, population, and socio-economic conditions.

In 2014, Thua Thien Hue province continued to develop a plan to become a centrally-governed city, submitting it to the Government and the Politburo for consideration. By 2019, the Politburo had issued Resolution 54, clearly stating that by 2025, Thua Thien Hue province would become a centrally-governed city, based on the preservation and promotion of the heritage values ​​of the ancient capital and the cultural identity of Hue.

On August 30, 2024, the Government issued Decision No. 924/QD-TTg recognizing the area of ​​Thua Thien Hue province slated for establishment as a centrally-governed city as meeting the criteria for a Type I urban area. On November 30, 2024, National Assembly delegates approved Resolution No. 175/2024/QH15 on the establishment of Hue City as a centrally-governed city based on the entire area and population of Thua Thien Hue province.

Thus, after more than 30 years of waiting, effort, and striving, the "dream of reaching the central government" of many people and generations of Hue residents has become a reality. Compared to 30 years ago, the stature and position of Hue today are different. Hue has gradually built itself into a center of culture, tourism, education, training, and specialized healthcare for the entire Central region.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hue City, after four years of implementing the Resolution of the 16th Provincial Party Congress (2020-2025 term), Hue has achieved and exceeded the plan for 11 out of 15 targets. The average GRDP growth rate for the period 2021-2024 reached 6.94% per year - a relatively high rate compared to other provinces and cities in the North Central and Central Coastal regions.

The per capita GRDP reached US$2,840. Budget revenue increased by an average of 9.75% per year, with estimated revenue in 2024 reaching approximately VND 13,600 billion, a 12% increase compared to the same period. Total social investment capital in the 2021-2024 period grew by an average of 8.7% per year. Urban infrastructure was invested in a synchronous and modern manner, creating a ripple effect and providing space and impetus for sustainable development. The provincial plan and the general urban plan have been approved. Important projects serving the goal of building a centrally-governed city have also been completed.

Developing to the level befitting a centrally-governed city.

At the ceremony announcing the National Assembly's Resolution on the establishment of Hue City as a centrally-administered city and the National Assembly Standing Committee's Resolution on the rearrangement of district and commune-level administrative units in Hue City, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man emphasized that Hue is a land of rich cultural heritage, the only place in Vietnam and Southeast Asia with 8 UNESCO-listed heritage sites, including a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized since 1993, and becoming an official member of the international heritage network. This is precisely the unique factor and criterion for Hue to become Vietnam's first centrally-administered city with the characteristics of a "heritage city".

The Chairman of the National Assembly acknowledged: “Looking back at the journey of construction and development, Hue has made great efforts to transform itself and achieved many extremely important results. Hue has built an urban model towards a heritage, ecological, and environmentally friendly city. It has formed and developed centers for culture, tourism, multi-disciplinary and multi-field education and training, and specialized medical centers for the region and the whole country. Significant results have been achieved in the preservation and promotion of heritage values. The economy has achieved a relatively high growth rate, and the material and spiritual lives of the people have improved. National defense and security have been maintained. The work of Party building, combating corruption, negative practices, and waste has yielded positive results.”

The Chairman of the National Assembly instructed that the Hue City government must have a specific, clear, and feasible plan to address the difficulties and challenges of becoming a centrally-governed city, such as: the change in the state management model from a province to a centrally-governed city with a higher level of urbanization; the need for a more unified, specialized, and professional government apparatus to operate smoothly and efficiently, fulfilling the functions of state management, especially urban management, construction order, land management, and ensuring political security, order, and social safety.

Furthermore, Hue must prioritize restructuring its economy in conjunction with in-depth growth model innovation; prioritize the development of advantageous service sectors; develop tourism based on the preservation and promotion of heritage and cultural values; develop industries towards increased added value, high technology content, and environmental friendliness; and develop high-tech, sustainable agriculture that adapts to climate change. Focus on mobilizing resources to invest in urban development infrastructure, production infrastructure, and economic development. Strengthen administrative reform and improve the investment and business environment in conjunction with digital government and smart urban services.

The Chairman of the National Assembly requested that the Hue City government pay special attention to implementing innovative science and technology policies aimed at green development, meeting the goals set out in national strategies and programs on environmental protection, green growth, and the use of clean technologies.

"Hue will continue to maximize its potential, strengths, and resources to innovate, dare to think, dare to act, and dare to make breakthroughs to become a peaceful, livable centrally-governed city, a green, modern, smart, and happy Hue," National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man confidently stated.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/co-do-hue-buoc-vao-van-hoi-moi-d243614.html