HCM City (VNA) – The Ho Chi Minh CityPeople’s Committee on December 29 announced the city’s top ten events in 2017as follow:

1. The National Assembly adopts resolution on piloting specialised mechanisms, policies for HCM City’s development

The 14th NA approved Resolution No. 54/2017/QH14on November 24 to pilot speicalised mechanisms and policies for the developmentof HCM City.

Covering five sectors, the document is expected tohelp the southern metropolis better tap its natural advantages duringdevelopment while bringing into full play its resources to develop more rapidlyand sustainably,  and address major challengesto the city’s development in the next 30-50 years.

2. HCM City fulfills and overfulfills many socio-economic development targets

In 2017, the city’s gross regional domestic product(GRDP) grew by 8.25 percent, higher than the previous year.

Domestic investments, including registered andadditional capital, exceed 899 trillion VND (39.6 billion USD), up three foldcompared with 2016; and foreign investments reached 6.38 billion USD, up twotimes against the previous year.

3. HCM City announces smart city project

The project sets a vision towards 2025, targetinghigh and sustainable economic growth. With people as the centre, the projectaims to make the best use of its resources.

4. HCM City supports start-ups, innovations

In the year, the city issued a plan on completing a startupand innovation ecosystem, supported businesses with many practical policies,and regularly organised meetings and dialogues with domestic and foreign firmsto remove their difficulties.

5. HCM City attracts over 6 million international tourists

With a range of tourism promotion programmes, as ofDecember 16, the city welcomed 6 million foreign visitors. The figure isexpected to reach about 6.4 million in the year end. 

6. HCM City strives to restore order on roads, pavements

The city has taken measures to restore order on manyroads and pavements over the past year. With the support of most of localresidents, the situation has improved in many roads.

7. HCM City handles traffic jams

The city has addressed “hot spots” of trafficcongestion, especially the areas around Tan Son Nhat International Airport andCat Lai Port, which are considered gateways to the city.

8. HCM City scraps requirement of having residence registration in the city in public servant recruitment

The city has abolished the requirement of havingresidence registration in the city when recruiting public servants for localagencies and units since November 1, 2017.

9. HCM City join efforts to overcome natural disaster consequences

In 2017, Vietnam suffered many storms and floodscausing severe consequences. HCM City mobilised nearly 40 billion VND (1.76million USD) to support storm and flood victims in northern, central andCentral Highlands regions.

10. HCM City hosts World Cultural Festival

Taking place from November 11 to December 3, the HoChi Minh City – Gyeongju World Cultural Festival introduced land, people andculture of Vietnam in general and HCM City in particular to friends from theRepublic of Korea and other countries.

Besides, the city also successfully hosted the thirdAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM3) and the 24thAPEC Small-and Medium EnterprisesMinisterial Meeting.-VNA