Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of Hue City People's Committee Nguyen Van Phuong

Chairman of the City People's Committee Nguyen Van Phuong said that 50 years have passed since the Great Spring Victory in 1975 - a long period of time in history, long enough to profoundly change the face of a locality. Hue City - a place that suffered heavy losses due to war - has now risen strongly, becoming a unique, green, smart and modern cultural - tourist city.

Mr. President, when mentioning Hue's "transformation", can you tell us what important factors have contributed to that positive change?

Recalling the early days after liberation, the Party Committee, government and people of Hue City faced numerous difficulties. Infrastructure was severely damaged, and people's lives were in dire straits. With a spirit of solidarity and strong will, the entire Party and people united to overcome the consequences of war, restore production, stabilize life and gradually develop the socio-economy .

Up to now, although there are still many difficulties, the socio-economic picture of Hue has had clear changes, achieving many great achievements in all fields. The city has both preserved the profound character of the ancient capital and grown strongly, affirming its role as a major cultural, tourism, educational and training center of the whole country.

In 2024, GRDP growth rate will reach 8.15%, ranked among the best in the region; budget revenue will reach 12,880 billion VND; public investment disbursement rate will reach 96% of the plan, ranked among the highest in the country; export turnover will reach 1.3 billion USD; the poverty rate will decrease to 1.41%...

These positive changes are the result of a convergence of many important factors:

Firstly, it is the correct and consistent leadership of the Party and State - creating a stable political foundation and a favorable environment for Hue to maximize its potential and strengths. In particular, the special mechanisms and policies for Hue City in recent times have become an important "push", opening up new development space for the locality.

Second, the spirit of solidarity, the desire to rise up and the pride of the people of Hue. In each person of Hue is the crystallization of the depth of traditional culture with the will to innovate. That is what has created a sustainable endogenous resource, promoting the city's development in many fields.

Third, Hue has known how to exploit and promote its heritage strengths - not only to preserve but also to create a driving force for development. We clearly identify: Cultural development is the foundation and driving force for the economy; economic development is the condition for preserving and spreading cultural values. From this orientation, many creative, green, and sustainable economic models have been born, contributing to creating a unique brand for the city.

Finally, it is impossible not to mention the attention and support of the Central Government, the cooperation from localities, international organizations and the business community. All have created a development ecosystem that goes hand in hand, united for the common goal of bringing Hue further and further.

In recent times, the textile and garment industry has contributed positively to the city's overall economic growth.

As a centrally-governed city, could you tell us about Hue's future development orientation? What will the city have to do to balance economic development with heritage preservation?

As the country's unique heritage center, Hue always puts the conservation, restoration of relics and promotion of cultural heritage values ​​as top priority. From 1996 to present, nearly 200 typical works such as Kien Trung Palace, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Hien Lam Pavilion, Nguyen Dynasty kings' tombs... have been restored with a total cost of more than 2,265 billion VND from the central and local budgets.

In the coming time, Hue will develop based on its unique historical, cultural and architectural landscape values. In addition to promoting investment attraction to promote economic growth, the city is still determined to develop in association with heritage conservation and environmental protection. Although this orientation may somewhat slow down economic growth in the short term, it is a strategic choice to ensure sustainable and in-depth development.

Urban planning will continue to be implemented synchronously, closely linked with conservation work. The planning orientations have clearly defined urban development space, relic protection areas, landscapes and functional areas - to ensure the construction of modern infrastructure without encroaching on heritage values. Thereby, realizing the goal of building Hue City into a dynamic, modern urban area, but still preserving its cultural identity, heritage and unique features that last over time.

Compared to many other provinces and cities, Hue's economic scale is still quite modest. What is the Chairman's opinion on that comment? What are the solutions for Hue to expand its economic scale?

It is true that compared to many other localities, the scale of Hue's economy is still quite modest. We are making efforts every day to expand the scale of the economy with many specific and practical solutions.

Firstly, Hue has identified tourism - especially heritage tourism, cultural tourism and resort tourism - as a key economic sector. In addition, we are also attracting clean industries, high technology, digital services, healthcare, and high-quality education - areas that are in line with the city's sustainable development orientation.

Second, infrastructure is being invested heavily. Large projects such as the Perfume River overpass, logistics centers, regional connecting routes, etc. are helping Hue expand its development space and increase its competitiveness with other localities.

Third, Hue considers digital transformation and innovation as important driving forces in the coming period. The city has been implementing many synchronous solutions to apply technology to urban management, public services and business support.

We determined that Hue would not go fast at all costs, but go in the right direction, based on the foundation of people, culture, knowledge, creativity and technology. I believe that if we persist on that path, Hue will have a separate, different, but effective and sustainable development model in the future. Hue can completely build a unique economic model - a harmony between development and conservation - bringing high, unique and long-term value.

What are the key tasks that Hue needs to focus on to achieve the goal of developing to the city's new status, especially the goal of ensuring double-digit growth for this year and the following years?

The economic growth rate of GRDP in the first quarter of 2025 is estimated at 9.9% - a high growth rate, among the top 10 provinces/cities with the highest economic growth rate in the country, creating a solid foundation to strive for an increase of 10% or more throughout the year.

The city will continue to step up the direction, monitoring and urging of the implementation of economic growth targets in 2025, aiming to achieve a growth rate of 10% or more. At the same time, focus on effectively implementing the policy of rearranging administrative units according to the direction of the Central Government; perfecting the two-level urban government model, ensuring streamlining, effectiveness and efficiency.

Specifically, strengthen the direction and supervision of key projects to create breakthrough development momentum, especially in the industrial sector. Projects such as Kim Long Motor Hue Production and Assembly Complex (phase 2, 3), Kanglongda Hue Factory Project (phase 2, 3), CARLSBERG Vietnam Brewery Expansion Project; tourism and resort projects... will be prioritized for implementation, with the goal of promoting industry and services, contributing to socio-economic development and creating jobs for people.

Focus on thoroughly resolving difficulties and problems, especially site clearance, compensation, support, and resettlement to speed up the progress of key inter-regional transport infrastructure projects, large urban infrastructure, cultural and social infrastructure.

Continue to effectively pilot a number of policies to support shipping lines opening container shipping routes and entities with containerized goods to and from Chan May port; continue to invest in logistics infrastructure and ports to facilitate the transportation of goods and realize the potential of coastal areas.

The city is also vigorously implementing Resolution 57 of the Politburo on developing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, considering this a new growth driver for the 2026 - 2030 period.

Along with the country entering a new era, the era of national growth, Hue city is growing with its own position and strength to become a city with sustainable development, safety, peace, friendliness, happiness, imbued with national cultural identity.

Le Tho (performed)

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/hue-nua-the-ky-hoi-sinh-va-khat-vong-vuon-tam-153100.html