Realizing the aspiration to become the growth pole of Northern Nghe An

Along the North-South highway, Hoang Mai town is the intersection between the two largest cities in the North Central region, Vinh city and Thanh Hoa city, adjacent to Nghi Son Economic Zone - the national economic center. With unique landscapes, mountains, forests, rivers and seas, Hoang Mai town also possesses many cultural and historical values, with 75 historical and cultural relics and scenic spots, nearly 80 intangible heritage values ​​​​have been researched, managed and ranked (including 6 national relics and 7 provincial relics).

With that special advantage, in the strategic vision, the provincial leaders proposed and received the Central Government's approval to establish Hoang Mai town on April 3, 2013 according to Resolution No. 47/NQ-CP of the Government, becoming the 21st district-level administrative unit of Nghe An, carrying the mission of becoming a growth pole of the province in the vision of linking the South Thanh - North Nghe regions.

However, between the mission and the reality at that time, the young town faced many challenges of a low starting point, with 2/5 poor communes, 1 mountainous commune and no commune meeting the new rural standards; the economy depended on agriculture and fisheries; the economic and social infrastructure system, especially roads, schools, offices and other essential works were still lacking. Right from that time, showing special attention and aiming to orientate the town in a timely manner for rapid and sustainable development, the Provincial Party Standing Committee issued Resolution No. 11-NQ/TU, dated September 18, 2014 on the construction and development of Hoang Mai town until 2020 and the following years. This was an important foundation for Hoang Mai town to break through, develop and quickly change the urban appearance as it is today.

During the development process, Hoang Mai town has always received the attention of the province. The Resolution of the 19th Nghe An Provincial Party Congress, term 2020 - 2025, identified 3 key economic zones, including: Developing Hoang Mai region associated with the South Thanh Hoa - North Nghe An region: Developing Hoang Mai and Dong Hoi industrial parks with processing, manufacturing, electronics and supporting industries and services for large projects in the Southeast Economic Zone and Nghi Son Economic Zone. Attracting investment in Hoang Mai I, Hoang Mai II Industrial Park, Dong Hoi Industrial Park. Continuing to prioritize investment resources to develop infrastructure in Hoang Mai town. The Provincial People's Council has issued Resolution No. 08 stipulating a number of specific mechanisms and policies to support the socio-economic development of Hoang Mai town in the period 2022 - 2025.

Along with that, the provincial planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, has been approved by the National Appraisal Council, continuing to show great expectations for the town. Accordingly, Hoang Mai urban area (developed in association with Quynh Luu) is identified as one of the 6 urban centers of the province in the orientation of "2 growth driving areas, 3 strategic breakthroughs, 4 economic corridors, 5 development pillars, 6 urban centers" of Nghe An. The socio-economic development planning of Hoang Mai town to 2025, with a vision to 2030, approved by the Provincial People's Committee, orients Hoang Mai town to be completed as a type III urban area before 2025, aiming to complete the criteria of a type II urban area, with the main function of being an industrial, commercial, service, and tourism urban area. By 2030, Hoang Mai urban space development will have a clear structure, with the image of a green - modern - harmonious urban area typical of a coastal urban area.

After 10 years of administrative boundary separation from Quynh Luu district, with the support of the Central Government, the province, Hoang Mai town; the dedication and responsibility of generations of leaders of the province and town; the spirit of consensus and collaboration of cadres, party members, people of all walks of life and the business community, Hoang Mai town has gradually become a key economic zone, a growth pole in the North of the province.

Notably, the economic growth rate increased rapidly, averaging over 14%/year. The economic scale according to production value (comparable price) in 2022 reached 21,699 billion VND, an increase of 3.5 times compared to 2014, being the locality with the highest increase in production value scale, at the same time, continuing to maintain its position in the group of 3 district-level units with the largest production value scale in the province. The average added value increased from 31.75 million VND/person/year (2014) to 74.9 million VND/person/year (2022). The poverty rate decreased from 7.44% (2014) to 0.92% (2021), by the end of 2022, the poverty rate was 2.09% according to the new criteria...

In particular, from a land whose economy only relies on agriculture and fisheries, Hoang Mai Town is now gradually becoming a "coordinate" chosen by domestic and foreign investors as a place to "pour capital" for investment. From 2014 to present, the town has 48 projects approved for investment, with a total registered capital of over 19,000 billion VND. Many projects have been put into stable operation, creating revenue for the State budget and solving jobs and income for the people such as: Hoa Sen Steel, Vinatex Garment, Dong-A Embroidery Garment, Hai Chau II Confectionery, Muong Thanh Service and Hotel Complex, Hoang Mai Market, ... After 10 years of construction and development, Hoang Mai Town currently has 3 industrial parks including: Dong Hoi Industrial Park; Hoang Mai I Industrial Park, Hoang Mai II Industrial Park is in the stage of completing investment procedures. Hoang Mai I Industrial Park alone, with a total area of ​​264.77 hectares, has attracted many large investors, such as Ju Teng Group and Hoa Loi Group. From a low starting point, by the end of 2020, Hoang Mai town was officially recognized as having completed the task of building a new rural area, 2 years ahead of schedule.

Along with socio-economic development, during the construction process, Hoang Mai Town has also left strong, positive marks in carrying out the key tasks of Party building, government building, the Fatherland Front and political and social organizations; thereby, demonstrating the comprehensive, absolute and timely leadership of the Party. From 16 grassroots Party organizations, 3,147 Party members, 1 residential group without a Party cell and 7 villages and residential groups at risk of no longer having a Party cell since its establishment. Up to now, the entire Party Committee has 33 grassroots Party organizations, over 4,000 Party members, 100% of villages and residential groups have Party cells.

At the same time, the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee paid attention to the work of organization, cadres and Party building, with different and creative ways of doing things based on the principles, Party Charter and regulations of the Party. When it was first established, the organizational system of the town was not yet synchronous, the cadres were both lacking and lacking in working experience, but after a short time, the establishment of organizations in the political system, the selection, arrangement, placement, training and development of cadres gradually stabilized.

Many solutions have been taken to promote the development of party members, especially in special areas and in private enterprises; since then, the annual work of developing party members has always met and exceeded the set targets. Establishing 5 non-state party cells under the City Party Committee; establishing the first Fisheries Association Party cell in the province with 15 party members who are fishermen who regularly fish offshore, the cell has become the core force directly leading and directing offshore exploitation and fishing activities and protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands. The subsidy project for party members who are awarded the 50-year Party membership badge or more and are not entitled to regular benefits from the State has been recognized by party members. The town has established Steering Committee 71 to resolve urgent and long-standing cases among the people; quantifying and assigning specific tasks to heads of Party committees, grassroots authorities and cadres and civil servants... All of these have contributed significantly to building trust among the people and improving the quality of cadre work.

The achievements of Hoang Mai town in the past 10 years are a testament to the outstanding efforts, solidarity, unity, consensus, active participation and high determination of the Party Committee, government, Fatherland Front, organizations at all levels, the business community and all the people of the town. Celebrating 10 years of construction and development with pride and excitement at the comprehensive changes in all fields, each cadre, party member and each person increasingly sees their responsibility for the development of the town. In the coming journey, with new enthusiasm and spirit, the Party Committee, Government and People of the town are determined to unite, uphold the spirit of self-reliance, self-improvement, the will to rise up, seize favorable opportunities, overcome difficulties and challenges, strive to compete in labor and production, continue to create breakthroughs in economic development, build Hoang Mai town to develop rapidly and sustainably, complete the criteria of a type III urban area by the end of 2025; affirm its important position in the overall development of Nghe An province.

Photo: Ho Long - Thanh Le - Contributor
Design - Engineering: Thuc Linh