City of faith and aspirations

Following the solemn opening ceremony of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term, an atmosphere of confidence and enthusiasm spread not only through online connections but also to Con Dao – the sacred island in the middle of the ocean. In each location, many people shared the same feeling, expressing their trust and expectations for the city's new path after the merger: harmonious and sustainable development for the happiness of its people.

Expectations for an integrated and developed city.

At a small cafe near the Ho Chi Minh City Cadre Academy, Mr. Tu Thien Nhon (from Ward 25, Binh Thanh District) and his friends sat with a cup of coffee early in the morning, chatting about city life. Mr. Nhon recounted that his family had lived in this area for generations, witnessing the expansion of roads, the construction of bridges, and the formation of new residential areas.

"This place used to be desolate and sparsely populated, but now it's different. The infrastructure is modern, and people can trade and travel conveniently. I hope this congress will have more strong and groundbreaking decisions to help our city develop faster and more sustainably," he said, his eyes fixed on the screen broadcasting the opening session live.

Not only the older generation, but also the city's youth harbor a special sense of excitement. In Binh Thanh ward, Ly Vu Hoang Giang, Deputy Secretary of the Ward Youth Union, said that he and the union members had been following the congress since early on.

"We have high expectations that the congress will set new directions for education and training, so that young people are equipped with the skills and knowledge to integrate and become global citizens. We also hope that digital transformation will be further promoted, opening up opportunities for young people to start businesses and innovate," Giang expressed.

People watched the solemn opening ceremony of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term live on their phones. Photo: THAI PHUONG

In Thu Dau Mot ward, the coffee shop on Bui Quoc Khanh street was unusually bustling this morning. The "Morning Coffee with the People" model in Chanh Nghia 4 neighborhood, a place where residents usually meet and discuss daily life issues, was even more vibrant as the Ho Chi Minh City Party Congress was underway. Under the cool shade of trees, with red flags fluttering in the breeze, people sipped coffee while discussing major issues facing the city: development mechanisms, transportation infrastructure, and new social welfare policies.

Mrs. Ly Khot The, 82 years old, her voice trembling but her eyes filled with pride, recounted: “I have lived here since it was still Song Be land, then witnessed the merger with Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria - Vung Tau . Each stage of development has its own unique mark. Now, Ho Chi Minh City is vast, bustling, civilized, and has reached regional prominence. I am proud to be a citizen of the city named after President Ho Chi Minh.”

Next to Mrs. Thẻ, Ms. Lý Kim Hoa, a long-time resident of Thủ Dầu Một ward of Chinese descent, smiled and added: “The city is now a megacity, on par with many places in the region. This congress will be a milestone for the city to make even stronger breakthroughs.”

Nguyen Van Nem, Deputy Secretary of the Party Branch of Chanh Nghia 4 neighborhood and former police officer , said: “I followed the congress day by day through newspapers and television. This term is very special, the first term after the merger. I believe the people of the new Ho Chi Minh City are placing their full trust and expectations in the new Executive Committee, people who are dedicated, capable, and willing to think, act, and take responsibility to lead the city forward.”

A new and proud journey.

The excitement spread to every neighborhood and every home. In An Phu ward, in his newly built, spacious house, Mr. Nguyen Chanh Tin, originally from Quang Nam province, watched the opening ceremony live on television. He said that more than 10 years ago, he came to the South to work as a laborer, and now he has a stable home and his two children are getting a good education, all thanks to this city.

"I expect the new Ho Chi Minh City to continue to be the economic engine of the country, but at the same time, it needs to better care for workers, improve vocational education and train digital human resources so that workers have the opportunity to advance," Mr. Tin said.

Also on the morning of October 14th, at the Tan Phuoc ward venue, more than 100 officials and Party members arrived early in neat attire. The hall was brightly decorated with red flags, banners, and applause rang out whenever the live television screen showed the delegates entering the main hall.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoang, a long-time party member, said emotionally: “This Congress is a very significant milestone. I believe the new Executive Committee will inherit the achievements and continue to build Ho Chi Minh City into a modern, civilized, and compassionate city.”

As a party member who arrived very early at the Saigon ward's meeting point, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tien, Secretary of the Party branch of neighborhood 12, Saigon ward, said that the party members in the branch and the people in the neighborhood were very excited and looking forward to the opening session of the congress.

“The people and Party members of Ward 12 are very actively carrying out many emulation projects to welcome the congress. It can be said that this is a congress we have been waiting for for a long time and hope it will usher in a new era for Ho Chi Minh City to develop to its full potential,” Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tien expressed.

At the Con Dao Special Administrative Region Public Service Center, Mr. Tran Thanh Tin (born in 1988) was processing his social insurance paperwork. While waiting for his turn, he and many other residents stopped in front of the large screen in the center's lobby, where the opening session of the congress was being broadcast live. Having been connected to the sacred island for 18 years, Mr. Tin expressed his emotion, noting that since the unification, the national power grid has been extended to the island, medical teams from the mainland regularly provide support, and many complex surgeries have been performed right here.

"I hope that, now that it's part of Ho Chi Minh City, Con Dao will receive stronger investment in tourism infrastructure, developing more high-end resorts and 3-4 star hotels to serve domestic and international tourists," Mr. Tin said.

The First Congress of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee was not only a momentous political event but also a symbol of consensus, trust, and aspirations from the people. At each location, in each newly merged area, the city's residents are contributing their small part—in their work, in their faith, and in their actions—to continue writing the journey of building a special city: civilized, modern, compassionate, and for the happiness of its people.

REPORTER TEAM

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/thanh-pho-cua-niem-tin-va-khat-vong-post818066.html