Thanh Hoa after 5 years of implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party: From strategic vision to concrete action.

There are moments in the course of history when looking back provides a clearer understanding of the path we have traveled. The five years of implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party is one such period. Long enough to test our resilience, deep enough to accumulate experience, and clear enough to identify fundamental shifts for the road ahead. In this shared journey of the nation, Thanh Hoa has not stood aside, but is present as a responsible and increasingly confident highlight in its role as an important growth pole of the North Central region and the entire country.

The technical opening ceremony of the North-South railway overpass, a project celebrating the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

"Guidelines for action"

The 13th National Congress of the Party is considered a crucial turning point, laying the groundwork for subsequent terms, aiming to successfully achieve the strategic goal of national development by 2030 to become a developing country with modern industry and high middle income, and by 2045 to become a developed country with high income. To achieve these goals, along with comprehensively promoting the reform, industrialization, modernization, and knowledge-based economic development, the Party has determined that it is necessary to simultaneously implement many major contents and solutions in key areas of political , economic, cultural, social, defense, security, and foreign affairs.

This spirit did not stop at strategic orientations, but was quickly concretized through a system of synchronized and consistent leadership and guidance documents. From October 2nd, 2023 to the end of 2024 alone, the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the 13th Party Congress issued 4 conclusions, 4 directives, and 4 important regulations. Based on these, the Standing Committee of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee promptly issued conclusions, plans, and official documents to lead and guide implementation in each field, each locality, and each specific task. These documents not only served as organizational guidelines but also as a "compass" for action, creating high unity in awareness and action throughout the entire political system.

Entering the 2021-2025 period, Thanh Hoa faces numerous difficulties and challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has left many negative consequences; global economic fluctuations, natural disasters, climate change, competitive pressures, and increasingly demanding development requirements are all contributing factors. However, amidst these hardships, the resilience of a large Party committee and a locality with a revolutionary tradition has been tested and affirmed.

Key highlights

Deeply understanding the spirit of the Party's 13th National Congress Resolution and the resolutions and conclusions of the Central Committee, the Party Committee, government, armed forces, and people of Thanh Hoa province have united and strived to overcome challenges. The most outstanding result is the high and stable economic growth rate. The average economic growth rate for the period 2021-2025 is estimated at 10.24%, ranking 4th nationwide; Thanh Hoa is among the top 8 localities with the largest economic scale in the country. This figure not only reflects the scale but also shows the increasingly clear dynamism and potential for development of the province.

Industry continues to play a key role as the main driver of growth, with the Nghi Son Economic Zone and other industrial parks as its core. Services and tourism have recovered strongly after the pandemic, and agriculture is gradually shifting towards commodity production linked to value chains. These movements are quiet but steady, gradually creating a new face for the local economy.

Overall, Thanh Hoa today presents a diverse picture. In rural areas, the New Rural Development Program continues to be implemented systematically and effectively. Infrastructure such as transportation, irrigation, schools, and health stations have received more comprehensive investment. Agricultural production linked to OCOP products has developed strongly, propelling Thanh Hoa to third place nationwide in terms of the number of OCOP products.

In urban areas, new constructions spring up, not only creating landmarks but also serving the people better. Thanh Hoa ranks 4th nationwide in terms of tourist arrivals and 5th in total tourism revenue; these figures reflect the growing appeal of a region rich in potential, which is knowing how to unlock its advantages.

In this growth picture, social welfare has always been a bright spot, with the province's poverty rate projected to decrease to 0.52% by 2025 – a figure that speaks volumes about the effectiveness of sustainable poverty reduction policies. Particularly, with a spirit of sharing and solidarity, Thanh Hoa has completed the elimination of temporary and dilapidated housing in the province, in accordance with Prime Minister's Directive 42 and the Provincial Party Committee's Standing Committee Directive 22, exceeding the set targets.

Nearly 1.619 billion VND has been mobilized, with social contributions accounting for over 76%, to build and repair houses for 14,780 disadvantaged families. Each completed house is not only a shelter from the rain and sun, but also a source of support, giving vulnerable people more faith and motivation to strive for a better life.

Another significant achievement is Thanh Hoa's pioneering role in the reorganization and merger of administrative units. The province has completed the closure of district-level administrative units and officially implemented a two-tiered local government model from July 1, 2025. After the reorganization, the entire province has 166 commune-level administrative units, a reduction of 381 units, achieving a rate of 69.65%.

This is not just a matter of organizational structure, but a step towards profound reform aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the political system, enhancing the quality of service to citizens and businesses, and meeting the development requirements of the new era.

Thanh Hoa province has also commenced and put into operation many large-scale, key projects with strong ripple effects. These range from multi-level ethnic boarding schools in border areas to the Children's Cultural Palace and Sports Center in Hac Thanh ward; from social housing projects in Ham Rong ward to the infrastructure of the WHA Smart Technology Industrial Park; from the North-South railway overpass, the Cam Van bridge over the Ma River, phase 2 of the South Ma River Boulevard to large-scale industrial projects in the Nghi Son Economic Zone... Each project is a crucial link, connecting development spaces and creating new growth momentum for the province and the region.

Thanh Hoa province's Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) continues to show positive progress. In 2024, the PCI increased by 9 ranks, placing Thanh Hoa among the localities with the best economic governance quality nationwide. Notably, the province was recognized as one of the three localities with the most significant reforms during the 2005-2024 period. This is the result of a persistent process of reforming administrative procedures, improving the investment environment, and using the satisfaction of citizens and businesses as a benchmark.

Simultaneously, Thanh Hoa continues to affirm its position as one of the leading localities nationwide in digital transformation. According to the National Digital Transformation Index 2024, Thanh Hoa ranked 5th nationwide; all three main pillars – digital government, digital economy, and digital society – achieved high and consistent rankings. Behind these numbers lies a change in management and administration, in the methods of providing public services, and in social life.

Besides focusing on economic development, Thanh Hoa has also successfully organized many major political and cultural events with profound significance. These events contribute to nurturing revolutionary traditions, spreading pride in the land and people of Thanh Hoa, and igniting a strong desire for development in every official, Party member, and citizen.

Over the past five years since the implementation of the Party's 13th National Congress Resolution, Thanh Hoa has faced many challenges, but also achieved great success. The results achieved are an important foundation for the province to continue its breakthroughs in the coming period, making increasingly significant contributions to the overall development of the country. In the upward trajectory of the nation, Thanh Hoa is taking steady steps forward, through unity and solidarity, and with the valuable endogenous resources of a land rich in revolutionary traditions.

Text and photos: Xuan Minh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/thanh-hoa-after-5-years-of-implementing-the-xiii-party-congress-resolution-from-strategic-vision-to-specific-actions-275742.htm