Full text of the speech of President Luong Cuong at the 70th Anniversary of Hai Phong Liberation Day and the Red Flamboyant Festival - Hai Phong 2025

( Hai Phong , May 13, 2025)

- Dear leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Hai Phong city!

- Dear delegates, distinguished guests, compatriots and comrades!

Today, I am very happy and excited to attend the 70th Anniversary of Liberation Day, receive the title of Heroic City and the Red Flamboyant Festival - Hai Phong 2025. On behalf of the Party and State leaders, I respectfully send to the leaders, former leaders of the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and Hai Phong city; revolutionary veterans, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers; generals, officers; People's Armed Forces Heroes, Labor Heroes; wounded and sick soldiers, people with meritorious services to the country, relatives of martyrs; delegates, distinguished guests; and all compatriots, comrades, cadres and soldiers of Hai Phong city my warmest greetings and best wishes!

Dear delegates, distinguished guests, compatriots and comrades!

In the thousands of years of history of building and defending the country of the Vietnamese people, Hai Phong has always held an important strategic position; it is the birthplace of Cai Beo Culture, which archaeologists have determined: "opened the way for prehistoric maritime culture of Vietnam", contributing to the formation of Dong Son civilization and highlighting the maritime element from the beginning of the country's founding. The people of Hai Phong with their steadfast, brave, intelligent and creative spirit have made many important contributions to affirming national independence, territorial sovereignty, Dai Viet civilization and leaving a deep mark in the glorious victories of our nation. Under the French colonial period, Hai Phong once aimed to become the "Economic Capital" of Indochina. During the resistance war against the US to save the country, Hai Phong, together with the army and people of the whole country, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and great Uncle Ho, defeated the war of destruction in the North by the US air force and navy, contributing human and material resources (not a pound of rice was missing, not a soldier was missing), completely liberating the South, unifying the country, and the whole country moving towards socialism.

Those geographical factors, historical circumstances and culture have forged the noble qualities of Hai Phong people: Courageous, determined to win; daring to think, daring to do, straightforward, honest; generous, enthusiastic; thinking big, doing big, doing decisively.

Not only resilient and heroic in combat, Hai Phong is also the cradle of many revolutionary movements, the origin of the emulation movement "Sea Waves" in industrial production; the product contracting mechanism in agricultural production. In the early years of renovation, Hai Phong was trusted by the Central Government to pilot the policy of innovating industrial production management, expanding domestic and foreign cooperation and exchanges, these results have contributed significantly to the formation and completion of the Party's renovation policy.

Dear delegates, distinguished guests, compatriots and comrades!

On this day, 70 years ago, May 13, 1955, our troops marched into the city to take over. The forest of red flags with yellow stars proudly fluttered in the sky, glowing with the color of red phoenix flowers, opening a new page in the history of Hai Phong and our nation. On May 15, 1955, the last French soldiers disembarked at Nghieng - Do Son wharf and left the North, marking the end of the 9-year resistance war against the invading French colonialists. In this long-term resistance war, Hai Phong was the first and last place, starting with the brave battle at the City Theater (November 1946). When the North was liberated, the army and people of Hai Phong continued the 300-day and night battle of intense and fierce battles, both mentally and spiritually, and steadfastly and bravely defending the city, defeating the enemy's sinister post-war plot and ensuring the implementation of the Geneva Agreement.

After 70 years of liberation, Hai Phong has achieved many particularly important achievements, not only having great significance for the city's development, but also affirming its role, position and important contributions to the country's development.

By the end of 2024, Hai Phong is the only locality in the country to maintain a double-digit economic growth rate for 10 consecutive years. Economic scale, per capita income, state budget revenue, FDI attraction, and labor productivity are always among the leading localities in the country.

The fields of culture, society, health, education and training, sports, tourism, science - technology, and social security have achieved comprehensive and outstanding results. Many fields are leading the country. Cultural and historical heritages are preserved and promoted; the image of the land, people, and cultural and historical values ​​of Hai Phong are widely promoted domestically and internationally.

National defense and security are strengthened and enhanced, social security is maintained. Foreign affairs and international integration are promoted.

Party building and political system building have been focused on; the leadership capacity and fighting strength of Party organizations and the effectiveness and efficiency of the government apparatus have been enhanced; the great national unity bloc has been consolidated and strengthened.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, I would like to congratulate and highly appreciate the achievements, results and great contributions in the struggle for national independence; as well as in the cause of innovation, construction, development of the country and firmly protecting the Socialist Republic of Vietnam of the Party Committee, government, people and armed forces of Hai Phong city over the past 70 years!

Dear delegates, distinguished guests, compatriots and comrades!

In the coming time, on the solid foundation and important achievements gained after 70 years of liberation, Hai Phong has a great opportunity to become the leading city in the country in the cause of industrialization and modernization, standing shoulder to shoulder with typical cities in Asia; contributing to the whole country confidently entering a new era - the era of strong development and prosperity of the nation.

I propose that the Party Committee, government, army and people of Hai Phong focus on promoting the achievements and results, unite and unite, take advantage of all opportunities, overcome all difficulties and challenges, and constantly strive to improve; in which, it is necessary to pay attention to the following important issues:

Firstly, continue to focus on leading and directing the work of building a lean, strong, effective and efficient Party and political system. Maintain solidarity within the Party and the political system; consensus and support among the people. Strengthen the work of preventing and combating corruption, waste and negativity. Build and develop a contingent of cadres with good qualities, steadfast character, capacity equal to requirements and tasks, exemplary, ambitious, daring to think big, acting decisively and daring to take responsibility for the common good.

Second, proactively review and complete the planning; especially when the competent authority decides to expand new development space towards a modern, green, sea-oriented urban area; develop riverside spaces into sustainable economic and service areas. Promote the advantage of Hai Phong as the "main gateway to the sea" of the North, a modern marine economic center, an economic connection center - the driving force for development of the Red River Delta and the entire Northern region.

Third, focus on building hard and soft infrastructure in digital transformation; pay special attention to investment in science, technology and innovation, promote the application of digital technology in all industries and fields; aim to build Hai Phong into a city of innovation and startups. Continue to focus on implementing 3 strategic breakthroughs, in which it is necessary to focus on developing the transport infrastructure system, forming new urban areas, industrial parks, services and tourism; promote investment attraction, trade, tourism, create more livelihoods and improve the spiritual and material life of the people.

Fourth, continue to focus on unblocking and maximizing all social resources to make Hai Phong a center for education - training; healthcare, science - technology of the Northern coastal region. At the same time, remove difficulties and obstacles to accelerate economic development, restructure the economy towards modernity and sustainability. Make breakthroughs in administrative reform, improve the investment and business environment, towards international standards in economic cooperation and development. Improve the quality and accessibility of public services, ensure social security; build Hai Phong into a civilized and friendly city. Research and propose specific, outstanding, breakthrough mechanisms and policies to create momentum for rapid and sustainable development for the city.

Fifth, strengthen national defense and security, promote foreign affairs; proactively prevent and effectively respond to situations, avoid being passive or surprised; maintain a favorable environment for construction and development.

Dear delegates, distinguished guests, compatriots and comrades!

With its important position, great potential and advantages, glorious historical tradition; valuable achievements and experiences after 70 years of liberation; I believe and hope that the Party Committee, government, army and people of Hai Phong city will continue to unite, overcome all difficulties and challenges, focus on building a city that develops rapidly, sustainably, prosperously, richly, civilizedly and friendly, and people have a prosperous and happy life.

Wishing all delegates, distinguished guests, and all compatriots, comrades, officers and soldiers of the Hai Phong City Armed Forces good health, happiness and success!

Source: https://haiphong.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/toan-van-bai-phat-bieu-cua-dong-chi-chu-cuong-nuoc-luong-cuong-tai-le-ky-niem-70-nam-ngay-giai-ph-748470