Hanoi sees upbeat signals in socio-economic development despite COVID-19
The People’s Committee of Hanoi hosted a press conference on March 4 to update the media on the capital city’s socio-economic development situation, which saw upbeat signals despite impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nguyen Anh Dung, chief of the Hanoi People's Committee's Office, speaks at the event (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The People’s Committee of Hanoihosted a press conference on March 4 to update the media on the capital city’ssocio-economic development situation, which saw upbeat signals despite impactsfrom the COVID-19 pandemic.
As heard at the event, the city’s state budget collectionand local budget spending exceeded 59.83 trillion VND (2.58 billion USD) and8.61 trillion VND in the first two months of 2021, respectively.
In February, Hanoi granted licences to 22 new foreign-fundedprojects worth 12.1 million USD. In the first two months, the value of new FDI projectsand of capital added to existing projects in the city amounted to 58.9 millionUSD.
Concerning the situation of agricultural products supplyexceeding demand, causing difficulties for farmers, Tran Thi Phuong Lan, ActingDirector of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, said although farmproduce from the winter-spring crop were abundant, purchasing power hasdecreased because local residents had stockpiled a large amount of goods forthe Lunar New Year holiday.
An increasing rate of online shopping and the closure ofhotels, restaurants, and schools due to COVID-19 has also caused a decline inthe purchasing power, she said, adding that in February, retail purchasingpower in the capital’s market dropped by 16.7 percent.
Meanwhile, Khong Minh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Centrefor Disease Control, informed that the city is making lists of prioritised peoplefor COVID-19 vaccinations.
He said the city plans to vaccinate all people from 18 yearsold, with funding sourced from the state budget, financial assistance ofbusinesses and individuals, and self-payment./.
Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue wants the capital to improve State management over the culture and sports sector this year, since culture remains an instrumental part of the city.
Hanoi authorities have requested that the management board of local industrial parks (IPs) inspect all IPs and make appropriate development recommendations in line with the capital’s planning, Nguyen Manh Quyen, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, has said.
Religious establishments, relic sites and tourist attractions in Hanoi will re-open on March 8 with preventive measures being still in place after they were temporarily closed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung said at a meeting on March 5.
The programmes have brought about positive changes to rural infrastructure, comprehensively improved the material and spiritual lives of farmers, and contributed to Vietnam's economic restructuring, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.
The festival highlighted the contributions and robust development of Vietnam's revolutionary press over the past century while promoting press products and showcasing the creativity of Vietnamese journalists.
The programme on sustainable poverty reduction has achieved its annual targets for reducing the poverty rate as assigned by the National Assembly and the Government. It has fulfilled five specific objectives and five five-year goals, and met nine out of 12 indicators related to addressing basic social service shortages.
UNICEF stands ready to support the Government in implementing this important law and in continuing to invest in teachers as the cornerstone of a resilient, inclusive, and high-quality education system for all children.
PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted how Vietnam's revolutionary press has continuously evolved and strengthened over the past century, affirming its role as a sharp and vital political, cultural, and ideological weapon serving the Fatherland and the people in the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
Nguyen Anh Dung, chief of the Hanoi People's Committee's Office, speaks at the event (Source: VNA) 
