Hai Phong (VNA) – State President Luong Cuong on May 13 attended a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of Liberation Day of Hai Phong (May 13, 1755-2025), during which he awarded the “Heroic City” title to the local Party organisation, authorities and people, and called for more efforts to make Hai Phong a city of innovation and start-ups.

Highlighting the significance of the liberation of Hai Phong, the President emphasised that after 70 years, it has achieved many particularly important accomplishments, which not only hold great significance for the city's development but also affirm its role, position, and significant contributions to the country's growth.

He spoke highly of the remarkable achievements, outcomes, and substantial contributions made by the local Party organisation, authorities, people, and armed forces in the past struggle for national independence, as well as in the current nation building, development, safeguarding and renewal cause.

In the coming period, building on the solid foundation and significant achievements, Hai Phong has a tremendous opportunity to become a leading city in the country in the cause of industrialisation and modernisation, standing shoulder to shoulder with prominent cities in Asia, and accompanying the whole nation in confidently entering a new era – that of strong development and prosperity, stressed Cuong.

He requested the city focus on improving the Party building; forming a streamlined, strong, effective, and efficient political system; maintaining unity within the Party and the political system; ensuring consensus and support among the people; and strengthening national defence and security.

Due attention should be paid to proactively reviewing and completing its planning, especially when the competent authorities allow the expansion of new development spaces toward a modern, green, and coastal-oriented urban model, Cuong said.

He advised Hai Phong to develop riverfront areas into sustainable economic and service zones, and bring into full play its advantages as the “main gateway to the sea” for northern Vietnam, a modern maritime economic hub, and a key economic connection centre and growth driver for the Red River Delta and the entire northern region.

Addressing the importance of both hard and soft infrastructure in the process of digital transformation, the State President emphasised that Hai Phong should place special importance on investment in science, technology, and innovation, promote the application of digital technology across all sectors and industries, aiming to become a hub for innovation and startups.

The leader also urged the northern port city to continue focusing on implementing three strategic breakthroughs, with particular emphasis on developing transportation infrastructure, establishing new urban areas, industrial parks, service zones, and tourism destinations, thus attracting more investment and improving the material and spiritual lives of the people.

He highlighted the need for Hai Phong to continue unlocking and maximising available social resources to become a hub for education and training, health care, and science-technology in the northern coastal region. The city must also address existing difficulties and obstacles to accelerate economic development and restructure the economy towards modernity and sustainability, he stated.

Administrative reform and improvement of the business and investment environment must be prioritised, towards international standards in economic cooperation and development, the President said, adding that Hai Phong should also work to enhance the quality and accessibility of public services and ensure social welfare. Addressing at the ceremony, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Le Tien Chau said recounted the city's 70-year journey, saying from a war-torn city, Hai Phong has thriven strongly, becoming a leading economic, cultural, scientific - technological and service centre of the country.

In 2024, its economic scale rose to the 5th position nationwide, being the only locality in the country to maintain a double-digit growth rate for ten consecutive years.

Its budget revenue ranked third and foreign investment attraction second in the country. In particular, Hai Phong was honoured to top the three rankings - Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI), Public Administration Reform Index (PAR Index), and Satisfaction Index of Public Administration Services (SIPAS).

The official also highlighted Hai Phong's progress in culture, education and training, health care, science and technology, sports, literature and arts, along with various breakthrough policies for people with revolutionary contributions and vulnerable groups.

Entering a new stage of development, Hai Phong will strive to catch up with outstanding cities in Asia and become a modern international port city, and an economic, educational, training, scientific and technological centre that meets international standards, he said.

Following the ceremony was a special art programme featuring Hai Phong's 70-year journey./.