A view of HCM City’s District 2. The proposal to establish the new Thủ Đức City by merging thecity’s eastern districtsof 2, 9and Thủ Đức is expected to be approved by the National Assembly Standing Committee on December 9.

Nguyen Thi Le, its chairwoman, praised the efforts made by the People’s Committee to carry out the socio-economic, cultural and other tasks set out for 2020, and said it had plans in place for economic recovery next year.

The Covid-19 situation remained unpredictable globally and in Viet Nam, affecting the city and country’s efforts to achieve socio-economic targets, she said.

Fortunately they had taken drastic measures to contain the virus, enabling recovery and socio-economic development, she said. The city’s economic growth rate this year had been 1.39 per cent.

The city should continue to remain on guard, she said.

It should also work to speed up public investment and address other public problems, she said.

“A number of industries and services have experienced a slowdown. Administrative reform remains tardy. The criteria for assessing the satisfaction of the public and businesses have not been consistent.”

Construction-related violations remained a critical issue in some places that are urbanising rapidly.

Flooding, traffic congestion and accidents were other problems, while social order and safety remained problematic, she said, citing drug crimes as a particular concern.

New Thu Duc City 

Uong Chu Luu, vice chairman of the National Assembly, said at the opening that the proposal to establish the new Thu Duc City was expected to be approved by the National Assembly Standing Committee on December 9.

The People’s Council recently passed a resolution to merge the city’s eastern districts of 2, 9 and Thu Duc into one administrative unit to create an innovation hub tentatively called Thu Duc City.

It will spread over 211 square kilometres and house more than a million people.

At the Q&A session today, delegates will question Nguyen Thanh Phong, chairman of the People’s Committee, on socio-economic development and other related issues.

The People’s Council will consider proposals by the People’s Committee such as the issuance of fees for the use of public infrastructure works and utilities at seaport border gates, and rename 224 roads after Vietnamese heroic mothers, famous scientists and cultural and historical events. 

The People’s Council will also consider proposals for a sustainable poverty alleviation programme in 2021-25, organisation of annual cultural festival events, the establishment of an Office of the National Assembly Delegation and HCM City People’s Council, and others.

Its Standing Committee will report on administrative reform and Resolution 54 of the National Assembly on specific mechanisms and policies for the city’s development.

The meeting is expected to elect two additional vice chairpersons for the People’s Committee.

After the meeting, People’s Council delegates will visit the first metro line from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien. — VNS  

HCM City draws up plans for underground space, seeks private sector financing

The HCM City Department of Planning and Architecture has submitted suggestions to city authorities for underground space planning for the 930-ha city centre comprising Districts 1 and 3 and the Thu Thiem new urban area in District 2.