Could you please tell us how Hanoi has prepared for 2023 to continue the growth momentum of the last year?

2023 is predicted as a tough year for us, with risks of high inflation, recession, the pandemic and political problems in the world.

The city Party Committee has asked local authorities and politico-social organizations to promote achievements and experience gained so far, and take the initiative in forecasting the situation so as to design reasonable countermeasures.

The city has chosen the working theme of the year: “Discipline, responsibility, actions, creativity and development’

We aim to fulfill all the 22 socio-economic development criteria in 2023, with gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of 7 percent or higher, and consumer price index (CPI) below 4.5 percent.

The city will also gather strength to implement important tasks to help create a new momentum for capital city development in the immediate time and long term. We will complete the compilation and submit to the Prime Minister the Hanoi development plan for 2021-2030 with a vision towards 2050; amend general planning on capital city construction by 2030; and complete the amended Capital Law.

Hanoi plans to develop two cities belonging to the capital city, including a city i  the northern part of Red River (comprising districts Dong Anh, Me Linh and Soc Son), and the city in the west (comprising Hoa Lac - Xuan Mai area). These would be the new growth poles of Hanoi, which will ease population density in inner areas and develop the economy in difficult areas.

We will upgrade some suburban districts into inner city districts. Dong Anh and Gia Lam are two of them. Particularly, we will have to complete the procedures to kick off the construction of Belt Road No 4 - Capital Region.

Does the determination of new growth poles come from problems existing over many years that need to be thoroughly resolved?

In 2004, when I was Deputy Minister of Construction, I went to Hoa Lac to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Hanoi National University. However, not much work has been completed over the last 20 years.

The example shows that the relocation of schools and hospitals has been going very slowly over the last years. Meanwhile, the city has developed towards the central area, resulting in many problems, including traffic congestion, pollution and overloading at schools.

The Capital Law says that when relocating schools, hospitals and polluting establishments out of the inner city, the land will be prioritized for public work development. However, it is very difficult to implement this principle.

To solve the problems, Hanoi will develop two cities to create new growth poles. The city in the north will be a city of services and international integration, while the city in the west will focus on science and technology, and education.

How far has the Belt Road No 4 project gone?

The Politburo, in its Resolution 15, and the National Assembly decided that the project needs to be completed by 2026 and put into operation in 2027.

This is really a difficult task, but we are determined to implement it, because the project will not only bring big benefits to the capital city, but also to the capital area, the northern key economic zone and Red River Delta. In other words, Belt Road No 4 will be the answer to the question about inter-region connection.

The project, when implemented, will help solve many existing problems, especially traffic congestion.

With the high consensus of the people and three localities where the road goes through, the project has been going on schedule. Some districts finished the relocation of graves before Tet.

The task is heavy, but if local authorities at all levels and branches strictly observe the perspective that ‘people are the root’, all difficulties can be overcome.

If we believe people, people will have confidence in us. Believing people means being frank and sincere, and discussing measures to settle problems with them.

Quang Phong