Urbanization in Vietnam has been growing beyond forecast due to a lack of control, many experts warned at a workshop that sought for the sustainability of the planning and resilience for the country’s urban areas in Hanoi on January 10.
Hanoi (VNA) – Urbanization in Vietnam hasbeen growing beyond forecast due to a lack of control, many experts warned at aworkshop that sought for the sustainability of the planning and resilience forthe country’s urban areas in Hanoi on January 10.
They voiced their worries about the urban management, planning, andadministration capacity as it has yet kept pace with the urbanization rate.
Urban areas are dealing with the growing population, traffic congestions, waterresource pollutions, flooding, tidal flood, and energy shortage, they noted,suggesting the development of a database to control the development of housingprojects and industrial zones and review and revise laws, mechanisms andpolicies to effectively manage the urbanization process.
The awareness and capacity of those working in planning and sustainabledevelopment should be improved, they said.
Dr. Tran Thi Lan Anh, deputy head of the Department for Urban Development ofthe Ministry of Construction, said the development of public transport systemsin big cities in Vietnam have failed to meet the demand of their dwellers.Besides, lighting and daily wastewater treatment has not been paid enoughattention.
According to Achim Fock, an expert from the World Bank,many urban development projects did not follow planning and lack socialinfrastructure. The use of urban land has not been effective as well.
Dr. Liu Thai Ker, Chairmanof the Centre for Liveable Cities, shared that Singapore has made the best useof natural elements, like sunlight, wind and rainwater, while applying hightechnology and smart products to bring economic benefits and safety for itspeople.
According to the Ministry of Construction, as of 2016,Vietnam had 802 urban areas and 10,000 rural residential areas.
The country’s urbanization rate grew from 20 percent in 1998 to 36.6 percent in2016 with urban land acreage increasing from 630 square kilometers to 41,700 squarekilometers, equal to 12.6 percent of the country’s natural area.
The urban areas contributed 70 percent of the budgetincome and 50 percent of the GDP.-VNA
Protecting, maintaining and restoring ecosystems, especially water systems, is among the most urgent tasks for strengthening the country’s resilience to climate change.
Population quality increased remarkably as the infant mortality rate for children aged under 5 years old and the fatality rate for mothers reduced, while average life expectancy rate started to rise.
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.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
