Hanoi (VNA) 🔯– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged the Red River Delta and Hanoi to play a pioneering role in propelling the nation into a new era of growth and prosperity while chairing the fifth conference of the Red River Delta Coordinating Council in Hanoi on January 14.

The event aimed to reflect on the council’s 2024 activities, outline its 2025 tasks, and announce the Hanoi Capital Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050. Last year, the Red River Delta boasted 7.9% growth in gross regional domestic product (GRDP), outstripping the national average and securing the second spot among the six economic regions. It contributed over 815 trillion VND (32.6 billion USD) to the state budget, the highest among all the regions and equivalent to 40.1% of the nation’s total, with Hanoi alone generating over 500 trillion VND for the first time. The region's export performance was equally impressive, amassing 132 billion USD, or nearly 32.5% of the country's total, leading all the economic regions. It also topped the charts for attracting foreign direct investment, with a registered capital totaling 20 billion USD. The completion of several key projects has significantly improved connectivity, both within the region and beyond, paving the way for future growth. The PM, who is also chairman of the council, urged ministries, agencies, and regional localities to build action plans for the Government’s resolutions. Key priorities include removing institutional bottlenecks, finalising the structure and operation of the new organisational apparatus, and crafting action plans to realise the Politburo's resolutions on breakthroughs in sci-tech, innovation, and national digital transformation. Others comprise building mechanisms and policies to pool all resources for development, actively fostering regional economic integration, particularly in transportation, and addressing environmental challenges such as air pollution, traffic congestion, and polluted rivers. Hanoi authorities were asked to act swiftly and drastically in realising the recently-approved Hanoi Capital Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050 and adjusments to the Hanoi General Plan until 2045 with a vision to 2065, living up to its role as the capital of a 100-million-strong nation and rise to the level of advanced capitals in the region and the world. Hanoi must focus on developing cultural and entertainment industries while revitalising national cultural heritage, bringing Vietnamese culture to the world, embracing global cultural essence, and integrating it into the national identity, he said, adding that the city should leverage its spaces, both above and below ground, while safeguarding its natural landscapes like lakes and ponds. According to him, Hanoi is envisioned as a melting pot of tradition and modernity, where elegance, civility, and compassion define its character. The city was encouraged to foster an environment where creativity thrives, driving toward double-digit growth. The focus on high-tech sectors like semiconductors and IT aims to skyrocket job creation, boost income, and position Hanoi as a leader in green, digital, and circular economies. PM Chinh concluded by underlining the importance of Hanoi leveraging its unique position to attract global investors and innovators, ensuring that the capital's growth benefits all its residents through sustainable development and inclusivity./.