Ha Noi targets to boost 2025 PCI performance

Positive improvements in business environment

The 2024 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) report was officially launched on May 6, 2025, by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in Ha Noi.

According to the report, Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Hue, Da Nang, and Can Tho were all listed among the top 30 provinces and cities with the best governance quality in 2024, with all six localities improving their scores compared to PCI 2023.

Pham Ngoc Thach, Deputy Head of VCCI's Legal Department said that Ha Noi's business environment has seen steady improvement over time, particularly in recent years. The city has made notable progress in areas such as market entry, land access, business support policies, and workforce training.

Regarding labor quality, Ha Noi holds a distinct advantage with its large network of universities and training institutions. Its business support activities have been rated among the best nationwide, while market entry procedures have received increasingly positive feedback from enterprises.

To meet the expectations of the business community and adapt to new development requirements, Pham recommended that Ha Noi continue to push forward with institutional reforms, strengthen public–private dialogue, and enhance policy implementation efficiency. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring a smooth and stable process of streamlining and merging local administrative units, allowing greater focus on economic development.

Additionally, he called for deeper administrative procedure reforms and broader technology application to help reduce business costs, particularly in key areas such as taxation, land, construction, fire prevention, and market management. The city should also work toward building a business-friendly local government, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving responsiveness and policy enforcement.

Local authorities were urged to proactively address business difficulties, reinforce the role of business associations as bridges between enterprises and the government, and intensify communication efforts to help firms access support — particularly in financing, customer development, and market adaptation.

Based on the 2024 PCI and PGI results, and to further improve the investment and business climate while fostering private sector growth, leaders of Ha Noi's departments and agencies have proposed that VCCI collaborate to develop an internal evaluation platform for PCI and PGI indicators. This platform would be closely integrated with the city's implementation plan, clearly defining responsibilities for each department and sector.

They also suggested organizing substantive training programs — including post-training evaluations — for local officials on PCI and PGI, and supporting the establishment of a regular enterprise dialogue mechanism with automatic recording and handling of business feedback.

Not for the sake of achievements

On July 17, 2025, the Chairman of the Ha Noi People's Committee signed Decision No. 3828/QD-UBND, establishing a working group which was enstrusted to improve the city's performance in the 2025 PCI ranking.

The city's efforts to enhance its index are not for the sake of achievements, but rather aimed at promoting administrative reform and sustainable development.

In the time ahead, Ha Noi will continue to proactively grasp on-the-ground realities, accompany residents and businesses in addressing difficulties, accelerate administrative reforms, and improve service quality, while also strengthening communication efforts — especially policy communication.

Accelerating digital transformation

Ha Noi has also stepped up the application of information technology and digital transformation, implemented Project 06, and advanced administrative reforms through the introduction of online public service systems; the use of digital accounts, e-signatures, and e-offices to handle tasks more efficiently and conveniently.

The city continues to review and eliminate unnecessary administrative procedures while expanding the number of fully online public services.

Ha Noi has launched the "Digital Capital Citizen" (iHaNoi) application, establishing a real-time interactive channel between residents, businesses, and authorities at all levels to promptly receive and resolve public and enterprise feedback.

Dialogue and partnership with businesses

With a spirit of openness, attentiveness, and partnership, during 2024 and the first half of 2025, Ha Noi organized a series of dialogue conferences with enterprises operating in industrial zones and clusters, traditional craft villages, the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, as well as those in cultural and social sectors, foreign-invested firms, and businesses investing in social housing, parking facilities, and environmental services.

These dialogues have served as important platforms for removing obstacles and providing timely support to businesses.

For policy-related issues raised by enterprises, the city reviewed and addressed those within its jurisdiction, while matters beyond its authority have been reported to the Government and relevant ministries for resolution.

For instance, businesses investing in the construction of industrial clusters in Ha Noi reported difficulties in site clearance, leading to project delays. To address this, the city implemented phased land allocation, enabling enterprises to begin construction on cleared sites. It also instructed relevant departments and localities to cut administrative processing time by 50 percent for investment and construction procedures related to industrial clusters, thereby accelerating project progress.

Through these continued reforms, digital initiatives, and open dialogue with the business community, Ha Noi aims to create a more transparent, efficient, and sustainable business environment — paving the way toward higher PCI and PGI rankings in 2025 and beyond./.