Top leader urges Ha Noi to pursue faster, higher-quality growth
VGP - Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on July 8 called on Ha Noi to accelerate economic growth while improving development quality, stressing that rapid expansion must go hand in hand with sustainability, effective governance and a better quality of life.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam
Chairing a working session with the Ha Noi Party Committee on the city's socio-economic performance in the first half of 2026 and the implementation of the Politburo's Resolution on Ha Noi's development in the new era, the top leader acknowledged the capital's determination in carrying out multiple major tasks simultaneously.
He commended Ha Noi's proactive approach and strong development aspirations, particularly in institutional reform, infrastructure development, administrative reform and spatial reorganization for development.
At the same time, he pointed to several shortcomings, including slower-than-expected growth, underutilized development resources, limited spillover effects from public investment, weak private-sector momentum and slow progress in addressing long-standing urban bottlenecks.
Describing the second half of 2026 as critical to fulfilling the year's objectives, To urged the city to develop sector-specific growth scenarios instead of relying on broad management measures. He called for close monitoring of implementation, measurable targets and clear accountability for every agency and official.
The top leader also instructed Ha Noi to conduct a comprehensive review of all available development resources—including land, public assets, investment capital, resettlement funds, infrastructure, high-quality human resources, data, science and technology—to identify idle or inefficiently used assets and unlock new growth drivers.
He emphasized that economic growth must not come at the expense of environmental protection, quality of life, social welfare or effective governance.
Calling stalled resources Ha Noi's greatest untapped growth potential, To urged the city to eliminate waste and delays in the use of public land, office buildings and infrastructure while demand remains high for schools, hospitals, housing, cultural facilities and urban infrastructure.
He also called for faster site clearance and public investment disbursement for strategic projects, particularly ring roads, Red River bridges, urban railways, flood control works, wastewater and solid waste treatment facilities, housing developments and regional transport links, while ensuring adequate resettlement, livelihoods and public services for affected residents.
Beyond infrastructure, the top leader urged Ha Noi to strengthen support for businesses, tourism, services and domestic consumption, while making breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and high-quality human resource development. He encouraged the capital to pioneer a knowledge-, data- and innovation-driven economy, including piloting financial support mechanisms for high-tech enterprises.
He also stressed the need to address issues that directly affect people's daily lives, including traffic congestion, flooding, air pollution, waste treatment, food safety, urban order and the quality of schools and hospitals, so that residents can experience tangible improvements.
To further urged Ha Noi to deepen regional connectivity and begin preparations for the 2027 and 2026–2030 development period by putting investment plans, land resources, planning and administrative procedures in place well in advance.
"Ha Noi must grow faster, but with higher-quality development," he stressed, adding that the capital should modernize while preserving its cultural identity and ensuring that all residents benefit from development. He also called on the city to pioneer new development models, governance approaches and growth drivers that can be replicated nationwide.
According to a report presented at the meeting, Ha Noi's gross regional domestic product (GRDP) expanded by 8.22 percent in the first half of 2026, exceeding the national average. Public investment remained a key growth driver, with disbursement surpassing VND 63 trillion (US$2.39 billion), up more than 112% from a year earlier. The city also maintained progress in urban development, social welfare, and national defense and security.
Ha Noi resolved 39 of its 51 traffic congestion hotspots during the period. It also ranked first nationwide in high school graduation rates and second in average scores in the 2026 national high school graduation examination.
The capital has set a target of achieving 11 percent GRDP growth in 2026, identifying it as one of its top political priorities./.
