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

(Baonghean) - Comrade Vo Viet Thanh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of Vinh City Party Committee gave an interview to Nghe An Newspaper.

Vinh City Administrative Center.

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

Comrade Vo Viet Thanh:In the general difficult conditions due to the slow economic recovery, Vinh City's economy still has progressed. The average economic growth rate in the period of 2011 - 2015 reached 7.92%. The average added value per capita/year increased from 36.47 million VND to 75.52 million VND. The economic structure has shifted positively, the proportion of trade - services increased from 58.66% to 65.23%; construction industry decreased from 39.39% to 33.16%; agriculture, forestry and fishery decreased from 1.96% to 1.61%. Industry and construction grew by an average of 9.64% per year. Services, trade and tourism continued to develop in both scale and quality. Types of services in the fields of finance, banking, post and telecommunications developed strongly.

The agricultural and new rural construction sectors have achieved remarkable results. Up to now, 3 communes have completed 19 criteria for new rural construction (Nghi Lien, Hung Dong, 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 management and land management have made much progress. Coordinated with provincial departments to complete the project to adjust the general planning of Vinh City to 2030, vision to 2050. Actively resolved the backlog of land and residential land for policy beneficiaries, and issued and exchanged land use right certificates for people. The rate of granting land use right certificates reached 95%. Resolved 75/113 old collective housing areas.

Key infrastructure projects were invested in and built such as: upgrading and expanding Vinh Airport into an international airport, putting Ben Thuy 2 Bridge into use, expanding and upgrading National Highway 1A, building railway overpasses and 72m roads. Implementing the Vinh urban development project using WB capital (153 million USD). Planning, renovating and upgrading the power grid and tap water supply system in the city. Completing the Vinh City drainage project phase 2.

Culture, society, science and technology have developed. The basic education network meets the learning needs of children at all levels in the city and the region. Science and technology topics are effectively deployed and applied. Medical examination, treatment and primary health care for the people are given attention. Social policies are taken care of; social protection work and policies for people with meritorious services are focused on. The poverty rate has decreased to 0.69%/university target.

National defense and security are maintained, social order is ensured. The work of building the Party and the political system is focused on, achieving many good results. The activities of People's Councils and People's Committees at all levels are innovated to become more effective and efficient.

Reporter:Dear comrade! In the past term, besides the great achievements, what are the limitations and weaknesses?

Comrade Vo Viet Thanh:Besides the achievements, in the past term there were still the following limitations and weaknesses:

1. The economy has not made any breakthroughs, growth has not met the targets set by the congress. State management in some areas is not good. There are still officials who violate the law in the performance of public duties. The urban landscape is not really green, clean, and beautiful. The progress of basic construction of some works and projects is still slow.

Vinh City Commercial Center. Photo: Sy Minh

2. Building a civilized urban lifestyle is still limited. The network of schools and classes does not meet the requirements, especially at the preschool level. The quality of medical examination and treatment in some hospitals does not meet the people's requirements. The rate of third child birth is still high.

3. Security, order and social safety still have some potential complications. There are still many complaints and denunciations. The handling of cases after receiving people, after inspection and examination is sometimes not timely and thorough.

4. The leadership capacity and fighting strength of some grassroots party organizations are not up to par with their political tasks. The management of cadres and party members in some places is not strict. The planning, training and fostering of cadres still lacks strategy, especially for the next generation of cadres.

5. The effectiveness and efficiency in the direction and administration of authorities at all levels in some areas are still limited. Administrative reform has not met requirements; discipline, awareness, responsibility and public ethics of a number of cadres and civil servants are still weak...

Reporter:Could you please tell us the lessons learned during the past term?

Comrade Vo Viet Thanh:During the past term, there were many lessons learned that need to be summarized and applied in the next term, of which the four key issues are:

1. Always take care of Party building work. Implement well the principles of organizing Party activities, promote democracy, maintain discipline, solidarity and unity within the Party. Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of management and operation of the State apparatus. Promote the role of the Fatherland Front and people's organizations, create the combined strength of the entire political system in performing political tasks.

2. In leadership and direction, it is necessary to closely follow the grassroots reality, select key, important tasks, key and breakthrough stages to focus on solving. Strengthen inspection and supervision work in the Party organization, associated with promoting the responsibility of cadres and Party members, especially leaders.

3. Take care to build and improve the quality of the staff and civil servants to meet the development requirements of the city in the new period.

4. Maximize all resources, especially attracting investment to create a breakthrough in the socio-economic development of Vinh City, worthy of a class I urban area.

Reporter:Dear comrade! To achieve the goal set out in Resolution 26-NQ/TU of the Politburo, which is to build Vinh City into the center of the North Central region, what is the city's development perspective in the coming term?

Comrade Vo Viet Thanh: In the spirit of continuing to innovate thinking, improving the leadership capacity of the Party Committee, building Vinh City into the growth engine of the province and the North Central region, the development perspective in the next term needs to focus on the following contents:

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

2. Strengthen investment attraction, create breakthroughs in economic development towards increasing the proportion of high-tech industry, clean industry, and high-quality services.

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

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

The general goal of the next term is to: Enhance the leadership capacity of the Party Committee, build a strong political system, ensure social order and safety, promote the combined strength, build Vinh City to develop rapidly, sustainably, modernly, civilized, soon become the center of the North Central region in 10 fields: Finance, trade, tourism, science - technology, information technology, high-tech industry, health, culture, sports, education - training.

Reporter:Thank you comrade!

Huu Nghia