Building a "capital city that is constantly developing" as President Ho Chi Minh always hoped.

Throughout his revolutionary life, President Ho Chi Minh always paid deep attention to and had fervent wishes for the capital city of Hanoi. With the position of "the whole country looks to our capital city, the world looks to our capital city," he always hoped that "the capital city would develop more and more, to be a model, to lead the way for the people of the whole country" (1).

People wrote slogans welcoming the troops returning to liberate the capital (1954). Photo: VNA archives.

President Ho Chi Minh's deep affection for the capital city of Hanoi.

Throughout his revolutionary leadership, President Ho Chi Minh always paid close attention to and cared for the construction and development of Hanoi, the capital city.

Even before moving to live and work in the capital, he always thought about Hanoi, for Hanoi. This is evident in his speeches, writings, and letters of encouragement and support to all segments of the capital's population.

Immediately after reading the National Call to Arms (December 1946), Uncle Ho sent a letter to the soldiers of the Capital Regiment, who had bravely declared, "I will fight to the death for the survival of the Fatherland," saying: "Uncle Ho's heart is always with you."

During the arduous years of the resistance war against French colonialism, Uncle Ho sent letters to the guerrilla forces of the capital and the people of Hanoi, praising the heroic achievements of the Hanoi army and people. With affection and trust, Uncle Ho emphasized: "The people of Hanoi are setting a courageous example for the whole nation..."

Despite the hardships of the resistance war and the overwhelming national affairs, President Ho Chi Minh always showed thoughtful and attentive care for the people and soldiers of the capital. He followed every difficulty, victory, and step of development to promptly share, encourage, and inspire the people and soldiers of the capital to persevere in the resistance war, joining with the people and soldiers of the whole country to achieve victory in the resistance war against the French colonial invaders.

On the morning of October 10, 1954, the troops of the Vanguard Army Division advanced from the city gates to take over the liberated capital amidst a sea of ​​flags and flowers, welcomed by 200,000 Hanoi residents. Photo: VNA archives.

When the capital was liberated, right in the first days of returning to the capital, Uncle Ho wrote the article "Maintaining Order and Security" published in Nhan Dan newspaper, issue 236, from October 9 to 10, 1954, affirming the importance of building a "peaceful and beautiful capital". Uncle Ho wrote: "Our government has returned to the capital. Currently, the most important thing for the capital is to maintain order and security. Only by maintaining order and security can the people of the capital live in peace and prosperity... The whole country looks to our capital. The world looks to our capital. All of us must strive to maintain order and security, making our capital a peaceful, beautiful, and healthy capital both materially and spiritually" (2).

The phrase "Our Capital" was mentioned many times by President Ho Chi Minh when speaking about Hanoi. This reflects his deep affection and close relationship with the capital city. The phrase "Our Capital" also speaks to the position, responsibility, and pioneering, exemplary role of the capital. For the Hanoi Party Committee and government, President Ho Chi Minh not only directly guided and monitored major strategic and macro-level matters but also the most specific, detailed, and practical daily tasks.

In the capital city, President Ho Chi Minh's footprints were imprinted on the city's streets, both in the inner city and the suburban districts. He visited, inspected work, and encouraged movements in many factories, enterprises, units, schools, hospitals, and villages; he attended and spoke sincerely and openly at numerous Party, government, and mass organization conferences in Hanoi. In his speeches and addresses at the Hanoi Party Committee conferences and the Hanoi People's Congresses, he paid close attention to the comprehensive and robust development of the capital city.

During his 15 years living and working in Hanoi (1954-1969), on every occasion of the traditional Lunar New Year, Uncle Ho always dedicated his entire holiday to visiting and extending New Year greetings to the people and soldiers. Especially on New Year's Eve, he often visited workers without prior notice. Everyone was deeply moved and felt the profound compassion, thoughtful care, and boundless love that Uncle Ho had for all strata of Vietnamese people in general and the people of Hanoi in particular. These encounters with Uncle Ho are memories that will never fade from the minds of the people, cadres, and soldiers of Hanoi.

Since assuming the position of President, President Ho Chi Minh wrote 73 articles about Hanoi, the capital city, and its people. He frequently sent letters to elderly people, women, farmers, workers, and intellectuals, paying particular attention to the youth, teenagers, and children of the capital. He wrote 10 letters, articles, and speeches about the youth, teenagers, and students of Hanoi, advising them to unite, be friendly, study diligently, and develop initiatives so that youth throughout the country could learn from them.

Hanoi affirms its leading position, living up to President Ho Chi Minh's aspirations.

The thoughts, feelings, and profound, thoughtful advice of President Ho Chi Minh remain an invaluable legacy and a guiding principle for all activities of the Party Committee, government, and people of Hanoi, contributing to building a more cultured, civilized, and modern capital city.

A view of Hanoi city. Photo: Vu Quang/TTXVN

As the capital and heart of the nation, the Hanoi Party Committee and people are deeply aware of their responsibility to be pioneers and role models in implementing the Central Committee's policies and resolutions, especially strategic decisions aimed at creating momentum for the overall development of the country.

Over the years, the Party building and political system development in the capital city has always been prioritized and improved by the city's Party Committee. The political system, from the city level to the grassroots, has continuously grown stronger in terms of organization, political acumen, and leadership capacity.

The capital city's economy has gradually transitioned from a centrally planned, bureaucratic economy to a socialist-oriented market economy. Since 1986, the capital's economy has continuously grown, with increasing labor productivity. By 2025, Hanoi is projected to rank 16th nationwide with a GRDP growth rate of 8.16%, significantly higher than the 6.52% growth rate in 2024. Its contribution to national growth is expected to reach 12.94%, continuing its pivotal role and making the largest contribution to national GDP growth. The economic scale is projected to reach approximately US$63.5 billion. Per capita income is expected to reach US$7,200; total state budget revenue is projected at VND 711 trillion, achieving 138.4% of the target, a 38.4% increase – the highest in recent years.

The year 2025 also marks a breakthrough. Hanoi is taking the lead in reorganizing its administrative apparatus, implementing a two-tiered local government model; consolidating 526 wards, communes, and towns into 126 wards and communes. The city's political system, based on the two-tiered local government model, is now operational, gradually overcoming difficulties, leading the way in decentralization, delegation of power, administrative reform, and digital transformation; creating a new shift in thinking and action towards development, improving the quality and efficiency of services for citizens and businesses.

Furthermore, socio-cultural fields continue to receive attention with the goal of improving the quality of life for the people. Investments in education, healthcare, urban beautification, environmental improvement, and the development of public spaces are implemented synchronously, contributing to building a greener, more modern, and more livable image of the capital city…

Immediately after the Capital City Law 2026 was passed, Hanoi city promptly issued important directives and regulations to ensure the law's implementation was systematic, unified, and effective. Photo: Trung Nguyen/TTXVN.

In the new era, Hanoi is positioned from an administrative and political center to a growth pole, an innovation hub, and a globally connected city. Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW of the Politburo on building and developing Hanoi in the new era, issued on March 17, 2026, established a system of long-term goals and groups of tasks and breakthrough solutions, especially regarding institutions and growth models.

Accordingly, by 2035, Hanoi will become a green, smart, and modern city; a convergence of cultural excellence, increasingly integrated internationally; highly competitive, with political and social stability, a peaceful city, happy citizens, and a safe, friendly, and attractive destination. By 2045, Hanoi will become an important innovation center in the Asia-Pacific region, a hub of knowledge and technology; with modern infrastructure and urban governance; a high quality of life for its citizens; and a civilized, safe, livable, and happy society. Looking towards the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Hanoi in 2054 and by 2065: Hanoi will be a global city with a high and sustainable level of development; belonging to the group of capitals with high quality of life and happiness in the world.

Along with Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW, the official adoption of the amended Capital City Law by the 16th National Assembly at its first session on April 23, 2026, marked a historic turning point in the governance thinking of the Capital City in the new era. The 2026 Capital City Law creates three major breakthroughs: institutional breakthroughs; development thinking breakthroughs; and development spatial breakthroughs.

The goal by 2035 is for Hanoi to become a green, smart, and modern city; a convergence of cultural excellence, increasingly deeply integrated into the international community; with high competitiveness and political and social stability... Photo: VNA.

With outstanding institutional breakthroughs, the 2026 Capital City Law, along with Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW of the Politburo on building and developing Hanoi in the new era, is expected to open up unprecedented opportunities for development and governance for the capital city. The law creates a mechanism for "Hanoi decides - Hanoi acts - Hanoi takes responsibility" to truly be effective, requiring practical mechanisms and policies. This is the foundation for the capital city not only to break through but also to rise to its full potential as a leading center, spreading development momentum throughout the country in the new era.

In line with the flow of history and international trends, difficulties and challenges always lie ahead, but the teachings of beloved President Ho Chi Minh remain a guiding light, encouraging and motivating the officials and people of Hanoi on every step of the way in building and developing the city. With the strong will and determination of the entire political system and the consensus and joint efforts of the people, Hanoi is gradually realizing the goal of building a capital city that is "Cultural - Civilized - Modern - Happy," becoming a hub of intellect, creativity, and sustainable development in the new era.

(1) Excerpt from the speech at the reception of the people's representatives of Hanoi (October 16, 1954, Nhan Dan newspaper No. 240, from October 17 to 18, 1954)

(2) Excerpt from the article "Maintaining order and security" (Nhan Dan newspaper No. 236, from October 9 to 10, 1954)

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/xay-dung-thu-do-ngay-them-phat-trien-nhu-bac-ho-hang-mong-20260514063203814.htm