Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thuong Lang from National Economics University stressed that assigning growth targets to each locality provides an opportunity for regions to demonstrate their development capabilities.

In the first six months, HCMC achieved a GRDP growth rate of 8.55 percent, and Hanoi 8.22 percent. To obtain the growth objectives for the entire period, particularly double-digit targets, localities, especially economic engines, must fully assess their potential and remaining development room.

"Localities must accurately identify their growth drivers and create new ways of doing things. We already have numerous special mechanisms in place, so there is no reason localities cannot achieve stronger growth," he said.

According to Lang, every locality has substantial resources, from human capital, natural assets, businesses, to export potential. The key challenge lies in building appropriate development models and mobilizing these resources effectively.

He argued that local authorities must innovate by establishing regional economic ecosystems, perfecting institutional frameworks, expanding indigenous business communities, and capitalizing on local identities and unique advantages.

Lang noted that the pivotal factor today is for localities to create breakthroughs rather than relying on traditional methods.

"Development mindsets must change toward building ecosystems and demonstrating strong determination. High growth targets become feasible only when supported by new thinking and new approaches," he emphasized.

A top priority, according to Lang, is creating the most favorable environment for businesses to grow, as enterprises serve as the primary drivers of added value in the economy.

"Localities must strongly encourage private sector growth while efficiently utilizing state resources such as land, capital, and public assets," Lang said.

Alongside business support, he noted that following administrative streamlining, a massive volume of public assets, particularly administrative headquarters, must be utilized effectively to avoid waste and serve as crucial development resources.

Localities also need to step up the mobilization of socialized resources from citizens, domestic businesses, and investors.

According to Lang, a single development model cannot be applied universally to all localities. 

Maritime regions should focus on seaport-based economy; hilly agricultural regions should develop specialty agriculture; and regions blessed with tourism assets must maximize tourism potential. Every locality needs to build a distinct development model grounded in its specific advantages.

Crucially, localities must establish key "pillars" or economic strongholds in areas like industry, finance, FDI, or services, thereby attracting internal and external resources based on long-term spatial planning.

"Localities must promote investment and attract external resources. Doing so requires dynamism, creativity, and determination. Central authorities issue resolutions, but specific action programs must be built and executed by local governments," Lang said.

Understanding businesses and taking responsibility

From a business perspective, To Hoai Nam, vice president and general secretary of the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, noted that SMEs play a vital role. 

Millions of operating SMEs generate vast employment opportunities, contributing significantly not only to economic growth but also to social welfare.

However, SMEs are facing an urgent need for transformation. The primary trend is shifting from reliance on cheap labor and resource exploitation toward growth driven by knowledge, technology, and innovation.

"Policy must focus on supporting enterprises through this transition," Nam said.

The second trend involves moving away from isolated operations to active integration into value chains and production ecosystems. Nam urged authorities to help businesses integrate deeper into these ecosystems and value chains rather than operating independently.

Additionally, the business community is shifting from a passive state to proactive governance and legal compliance. Legal frameworks must adapt to become more accessible and convenient.

Nam noted that while Vietnam has made considerable progress in administrative reform, the coming period requires substantive structural changes. Legal regulations should be designed for simplicity, clarity, and ease of implementation.

In this effort, local governments play a decisive role as the direct implementers of business support policies.

First, Nam suggested that local authorities must understand businesses by expanding direct dialogue forums to identify tangible difficulties.

Second, local governments should move beyond policy dissemination and actively accompany businesses during implementation. He observed that many localities remain overly focused on explaining regulations, whereas businesses need bottlenecks resolved.

Crucially, he emphasized defining individual accountability for implementation. "There must be accountable individuals if execution fails. Only then can sufficient pressure be created for the administrative machinery to operate effectively, as local authorities are the ones directly delivering policies on the ground," Nam said.

Hong Khanh