Vinh City: New Opportunities and Position

The city's economy has experienced significant growth, with a growth rate of 8.05% during the 2013-2022 period, higher than the national and provincial averages. The economic structure has shifted in the right direction. Foreign relations have been expanded, and the city's standing has been elevated.

Local revenue collection contributes significantly to the provincial budget. Land and urban management are gradually becoming more organized. Urban planning is developing towards a civilized and modern direction; urban management and beautification are emphasized; urban technical and social infrastructure is strengthened, with many new urban areas, high-rise apartment buildings, offices, hotels, supermarkets, and multi-functional complexes being built, transforming the urban landscape into a more modern and attractive place. Cultural and social fields are flourishing. Infrastructure for education and healthcare is being improved. The material and spiritual lives of the people are being enhanced.

Vinh City viewed from above. Photo: Nguyen Sach

Several sectors, such as tourism, science and technology, healthcare, education and training, and information technology, have become central elements of the region. National defense and security have been strengthened, social order and safety have been ensured, and petitions and pressing issues of the people have been resolved promptly. The political system from the city level to the grassroots has been consolidated and strengthened, and its effectiveness and efficiency have been enhanced. Cadres, Party members, and the people have confidence in the leadership, management, and administration of the city's Party committee and government.

However, compared to the expectations of the province and the central government, Vinh City has not yet become a superior urban center compared to other cities in the region, especially in terms of connectivity, regional linkages, high-quality human resource training, research, entrepreneurship, and innovation. This limitation has many causes, but the core issue is the lack of resources, the absence of specific, superior mechanisms and policies, and the slow expansion of development space to enable the city to develop to its full potential as a leading engine of integration, a pioneer in development, and a solution to key regional tasks. These causes and bottlenecks have been thoroughly assessed and analyzed by the central government, Nghe An province, and Vinh City during the review of Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW dated July 30, 2013, of the Politburo.

The 72m road from Vinh city to Hung Nguyen. Photo: The Thang

On July 18, 2023, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 39-NQ/TW on the construction and development of Nghe An province until 2030, with a vision to 2045, affirming: "...it is necessary to focus investment and have superior mechanisms and policies to develop Vinh city into the economic and cultural center of the entire North Central region," further identifying the significant role of Vinh city's development in the development of Nghe An province. The Provincial Party Standing Committee also approved the plan to expand the administrative boundaries of Vinh city with a completion schedule in 2024, creating an important legal framework for the city's development.

Being entrusted with this task by the Central and Provincial authorities is a great honor and source of pride for the Party Committee, Government, and people of Vinh City, but it is also a great responsibility and challenge that requires high efforts and strong political determination from cadres, Party members, and the people of Vinh City to implement. Therefore, the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee has comprehensively assessed the obstacles and bottlenecks, re-identified the potential, advantages, and driving forces for development, and defined the priority order for implementing strategic goals in accordance with the requirements and actual conditions. From there, it has proposed a number of key, breakthrough tasks and solutions to effectively implement Resolution No. 39-NQ/TW of the Politburo, namely:

Firstly, proactively advise and coordinate to expedite the expansion of administrative boundaries, creating suitable space for the city's development. Accordingly, promptly adjust the Vinh City master plan until 2030, with a vision to 2050, in conjunction with the construction and implementation of the urban development program. Effectively implement urban development zoning and functional areas, forming a modern, highly attractive coastal city that harmonizes with the landscape and nature, with diverse architectural highlights. Coordinate and implement the planning, management, and effective execution of the master plan for the Southern Nghe An - Northern Ha Tinh region; especially the urban development plan along the banks of the Lam River. Adjust mechanisms, policies, and investment resources to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of cooperation with neighboring localities, especially in the fields of services, tourism, and urban development.

The ancient moat of Vinh. Photo: Duy Son

Secondly, focus on mobilizing all resources to create breakthroughs in socio-economic development and infrastructure, especially digital infrastructure, quickly transforming Vinh City into a driving force for growth, linkage, and dissemination of high-tech and innovation-oriented development in Nghe An province and the region.

Effectively develop and implement the "City of Light" project, linked to smart city development, creating urban highlights and promoting the development of the night-time economy. Focus investment on strategic and key infrastructure projects to create momentum for breakthroughs in transportation development, such as: Upgrading and expanding Vinh International Airport, Vinh Railway Station, Cua Lo Deepwater Port, expressways and roads connecting Vinh City with Cua Lo town and Hung Nguyen and Nam Dan districts. Focus on attracting investment with appropriate incentives to fully exploit the potential of Cua Lo's coastal area, developing logistics services, maritime transport, resort tourism, and aquaculture and fishing activities.

Thirdly, comprehensively develop culture and society, improve the material and spiritual lives of the people, with priority given to developing the education and healthcare systems, and to quickly transform Vinh City into a center for healthcare and high-quality human resource training in the region.

Prioritize the implementation of the restructuring plan for universities and colleges in the area, using Vinh University as the core to build a training center of regional and national stature. Strengthen cooperation in education and training; promote investment attraction to build schools that meet international standards.

The plan involves developing and implementing a project to transform Vinh City into a specialized, high-level medical center; continuing to develop several hospitals into top-tier, regional hospitals with a significant role, such as: the Provincial Center for Disease Control becoming a regional center for the North Central region; the Provincial Friendship General Hospital becoming a top-tier hospital; the Traditional Medicine Hospital becoming a General Hospital of Traditional Medicine; and establishing a Tropical Diseases Hospital, a Cardiovascular Specialty Hospital, and specialized centers under the Oncology Hospital, the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, and the Lung Hospital...

Promoting the application of high technology in various industries and fields, building a smart city, and gradually transforming Vinh into a high-tech city, a center for innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity for the region and the country. Using businesses as the foundation and science and technology as the pillar, creating new impetus for development, improving productivity, quality, efficiency, and competitiveness. Building a network of science and technology information in the area, focusing on platforms for digital economic development such as big data, connectivity networks, and regional-scale technology exchange platforms…

Fourth, focus intensely on creating breakthroughs in administrative reform, facilitating favorable conditions for investors and businesses to implement projects in the area. Build an honest, innovative, professional, and modern administration that puts citizens and businesses at the center; improve and synchronize institutions and policies; review, amend, and supplement regulations; improve the investment and business environment; enhance transparency; and improve the efficiency of public investment and the effectiveness of attracting resources for development.

Strengthening the application of information technology in management and administration, building e-government and smart cities, with a focus on comprehensive digital transformation according to the National Digital Transformation Program until 2025, with a vision to 2030. Developing the digital economy vigorously, primarily focusing on the three economic pillars: high-tech industry, seaports and logistics, and tourism and trade; while simultaneously forming and developing a safe and convenient digital environment that maximally serves the production, business, and daily life needs of the population.

The city on the banks of the Lam River. Photo: Nguyen's book.

Fifth, the city continues to propose to higher authorities the decentralization and delegation of authority to the city in various areas of state management to promote the city's initiative, creativity, and self-responsibility. It will organize research and study of experiences to develop and report to the province, proposing the inclusion of some superior mechanisms and policies for Vinh City in the draft resolutions of the National Assembly and the Government. This is the key to decisive action, the basis, and the driving force for the city's rapid and sustainable development.

To effectively implement the aforementioned breakthrough solutions, Vinh City has identified the need to enhance governance capacity and professionalism; to effectively train, educate, and update the knowledge and professional skills of its staff and civil servants; to rectify administrative discipline and public service ethics; and to build a team of officials and civil servants capable of becoming a regional development center. The city will promote a learning emulation movement to raise the intellectual level of its citizens, befitting its status as a "Global Learning City" recognized by UNESCO. It will strongly promote innovation in thinking and creativity among officials, Party members, civil servants, and public employees, especially the leadership and management team, creating a ripple effect throughout the city. It will also focus on building a strong Party and political system to meet the leadership and guidance requirements of the new era.

On this new path, with new tasks and a new spirit, Vinh City will seize opportunities and strive to develop to a level befitting its role and position as the economic and cultural center of the North Central region, contributing to the effective implementation of Resolution No. 39-NQ/TW of the Politburo of Nghe An province.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/thanh-pho-vinh-van-hoi-va-vi-the-moi-post277200.html