Developing Vinh into an economic and cultural center of the North Central region.

(Baonghean) - Comrade Vo Viet Thanh - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Vinh City Party Committee, answers an interview with Baonghean Newspaper.

Vinh City Administrative Center.

Reporter:Could you please tell us about the outstanding achievements that the Party Committee and people of Vinh City have strived to achieve during the past term?

Comrade Vo Viet Thanh:Despite the general difficulties caused by the slow economic recovery due to the recession, Vinh City's economy has still made progress. The average economic growth rate during the 2011-2015 period reached 7.92%. Average per capita added value increased from VND 36.47 million to VND 75.52 million per year. The economic structure has shifted positively, with the proportion of trade and services increasing from 58.66% to 65.23%; industry and construction decreasing from 39.39% to 33.16%; and agriculture, forestry, and fisheries decreasing from 1.96% to 1.61%. Industry and construction grew at an average annual rate of 9.64%. Services, trade, and tourism continued to develop in both scale and quality. Services in the financial, banking, postal, and telecommunications sectors also developed strongly.

The agricultural and rural development sectors have achieved outstanding results. To date, three communes have completed all 19 criteria for new rural development (Nghi Lien, Hung Dong, and Hung Loc). Investment attraction has received due attention. During the term, 103 projects were granted investment certificates with a total registered capital of VND 26,101.75 billion.

Urban and land management have made significant progress. Coordination with provincial departments has resulted in the completion of the revised master plan for Vinh City until 2030, with a vision to 2050. Efforts have been made to resolve outstanding land issues, provide housing for policy beneficiaries, and issue new land use right certificates to the people. The rate of issuing land use right certificates has reached 95%. 75 out of 113 old residential areas have been resolved.

Key infrastructure projects have been invested in and constructed, including: upgrading and expanding Vinh Airport into an international airport, putting into operation Ben Thuy 2 Bridge, expanding and upgrading National Highway 1A, constructing railway overpasses and a 72m wide road. The Vinh urban development project, funded by the World Bank (US$153 million), is being implemented. Planning, renovation, and upgrading of the electricity network and water supply system in the city are underway. Phase 2 of the Vinh City drainage project has been completed.

Culture, society, and science and technology have made progress. The basic education network meets the learning needs of children at all levels in the city and region. Scientific and technological projects have been effectively implemented. Medical examination, treatment, and primary healthcare for the people are given attention. Social policies are well-cared for; social protection and policies for those who have rendered meritorious service are emphasized. The poverty rate has decreased to 0.69% (as per the university's target).

National defense and security have been maintained, and social order has been ensured. Party building and the strengthening of the political system have been prioritized, achieving many positive results. The activities of People's Councils and People's Committees at all levels have been reformed, becoming increasingly effective and efficient.

Reporter:Comrade, during the past term, besides the great achievements, what limitations and weaknesses have there been?

Comrade Vo Viet Thanh:Besides the achievements, the following limitations and weaknesses still exist during the past term:

1. The economy has not yet made a breakthrough, and growth has not met the targets set by the Party Congress. State management in some areas is not yet good. In the performance of official duties, there are still officials who violate the law. The urban landscape is not yet truly green, clean, and beautiful. The progress of basic construction in some projects is still slow.

Vinh City Shopping Center. Photo: Sy Minh

2. The development of a civilized urban lifestyle is still limited. The network of schools and classrooms does not meet the requirements, especially at the preschool level. The quality of medical examination and treatment in some hospitals does not meet the needs of the people. The rate of having a third child remains high.

3. Public order and social safety still face some underlying complexities. There are still many complaints and denunciations. The handling of cases after public consultations and inspections is sometimes untimely and not thorough enough.

4. The leadership capacity and fighting strength of some grassroots Party organizations are not yet commensurate with political tasks. Cadre and Party member management in some areas lacks strictness. Cadre planning, training, and development lack strategic vision, especially for the next generation of cadres.

5. The effectiveness and efficiency of leadership and management by government at all levels in some areas remain limited. Administrative reform has not met the requirements; discipline, awareness, responsibility, and public service ethics of a portion of officials and civil servants are still weak...

Reporter:Could you please share the lessons learned during your term in office?

Comrade Vo Viet Thanh:During the past term, many lessons learned need to be applied in the next term, including four key issues:

1. Always prioritize Party building. Effectively implement the principles of Party organization and activities, promote democracy, maintain discipline, and foster unity and cohesion within the Party. Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the State apparatus's management and operation. Promote the role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other mass organizations, creating a combined strength of the entire political system in fulfilling political tasks.

2. In leadership and guidance, it is necessary to closely adhere to practical realities at the grassroots level, selecting key tasks, priority areas, and breakthroughs to focus on resolving. Strengthen inspection and supervision within Party organizations, coupled with emphasizing the responsibility of cadres and Party members, especially those in leadership positions.

3. Focus on building and improving the quality of the contingent of officials and civil servants to meet the development requirements of the city in the new phase.

4. Mobilize all available resources, especially attracting investment, to create a breakthrough in the socio-economic development of Vinh City, befitting its status as a Class I urban area.

Reporter:Comrade, in order to achieve the goal set forth in Resolution 26-NQ/TƯ of the Politburo, which is to build Vinh City into the regional center of the North Central region, what is the city's development perspective for the next term?

Comrade Vo Viet ThanhIn the spirit of continuing to innovate thinking, enhancing the leadership capacity of the Party Committee, and building Vinh City into the growth engine of the province and the North Central region, the development perspective for the next term should focus on the following contents:

1. Maximize all resources to develop the city's socio-economic development while ensuring social welfare, protecting the environment, building a strong political system, maintaining national defense and security, and ensuring social order and safety in the area.

2. Strengthen efforts to attract investment and create breakthroughs in economic development by increasing the proportion of high-tech industries, clean industries, and high-quality services.

3. Develop the city comprehensively, harmoniously, sustainably, and affirm its position as a growth pole of the province. Gradually expand urban space according to the plan approved by the Prime Minister.

4. Develop the city in a civilized and modern direction; absorb advanced culture, build a civilized urban lifestyle while preserving and promoting the cultural identity of Nghe An province.

The overarching goal for the next term is: to enhance the leadership capacity of the Party Committee, build a strong political system, ensure social order and safety, leverage combined strengths, and develop Vinh City into a rapidly, sustainably, modern, and civilized city, soon becoming the center of the North Central region in over 10 areas: finance, trade, tourism, science and technology, information technology, high-tech industry, healthcare, culture, sports, and education and training.

Reporter:Thank you, comrade!

Huu Nghia