(VOVworld) – Since its liberation 60 years ago, Hanoi has overcome various difficulties to advance forward to become the heart of the nation and gain UNESCO’s recognition as “The city for peace”.
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| Hoan Kiem lake in the center of Hanoi |
Hanoi has changed rapidly particularly since its administrative boundary expansion on August 1, 2010, from which the city has entered a new period of development.
Building Hanoi into a civilized, modern city
In 6 years Hanoi has completed a huge workload including fine-tuning its planning and management system. The expanded Hanoi encompasses Ha Tay province, Me Linh district of Vinh Phuc province, and parts of Bac Ninh and Hoa Binh province. Several important facilities and urban areas have been built in the western and northwestern parts of the capital. New traffic routes have been built connecting Hanoi with neighboring localities including the Thang Long Highway, Hanoi – Thai Nguyen Highway 3, Thang Long – Noi Bai Highway, belt roads No.1, No.2, and No.3 connecting Hanoi with 5 satellite cities – Hoa Lac, Son Tay, Xuan Mai, Phu Xuyen, and Soc Son. Several bridges were built across the Red River including Vinh Tuy, Nhat Tan, and Thanh Tri bridge. Secretary of Hanoi’s Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi said: “Hanoi covers an area of 3,400 sq km which is equivalent to 1% of Vietnam’s land area. Its population of 9 million people makes up 10% of the national population. Hanoi’s economy contributes approximately 10% of GDP, 20% of the state budget, and 9% of Vietnam’s export revenue. These results, the Constitution, and the Capital Law have made Hanoi a national center of politics, economics, culture, education, science, and international transaction.”
Focusing resources on economic growth
Hanoi’s average GDP growth rate between 2008 and 2014 was 9.2% with industry, services, agro-forestry, and fishing recording relatively high growth rates. Hanoi’s GDP growth in the first half of this year was 6.4% and the annual projected rate is 9%, 150% higher than national GDP growth. Hanoi has taken the lead in the national rural development program.
Hanoi has established cooperative relations with more than 100 cities in 50 countries and territories. It is an official member of many international organizations such as the World Association of Major Metropolises, the Asian Network of Major Cities, and the Association of Francophone Mayors.
Hanoi heading towards the future
Hanoi’s socio-economic development strategy until 2020 with a vision to 2030 focuses on infrastructure development, particularly a modern traffic system. Ho Quang Loi, Head of Hanoi’s Department of Communication and Education, said: “Hanoi’s center will comprise 5 urban areas which are connected with satellite cities by belt roads and regional and national transportation routes. The central city will be separated from satellite cities by green corridors which account for 70% of the natural area. Each satellite township is an independent economic space, yet they are able to support each other.”
The 60th anniversary of the Capital city’s liberation day is an occasion for the administration and people to review what has been done and determine advantages and challenges to find an appropriate plan for Hanoi’s sustainable future growth.