Hanoi (VNA) – Hanoi aims by 2030 to become a civilised and modern capital of time-honoured culture and a green, smart, and globally integrated city boasting cultural essence concentration, high competitiveness, and a development level on par with that of the capitals of developed countries in the region, according to the draft documents of the 18th Hanoi Party Congress.
By 2045, Hanoi envisions itself as a globally connected city with high living standards and a per capita GRDP exceeding 36,000 USD.
Nguyen Van Phong, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, said the congress holds special significance for the capital’s development in a new historical period for both the city and the nation.
Scheduled for October 15–17, the congress for the 2025–2030 tenure takes place amid an unprecedented convergence of favourable political, legal, planning, and era conditions that create strong momentum for Hanoi’s development, Phong said.
The city benefits from the Politburo’s Resolution No. 15-NQ/TW on orientations and tasks for the development of Hanoi Capital to 2030, with a vision to 2045. Building on this, the National Assembly passed the amended Capital Law, providing a stronger institutional foundation for local development. The Government also approved the master plan for the development of Hanoi until 2030 with a vision to 2050, and the adjusted master plan to 2045 with a vision to 2065.
While central authorities have focused on removing policy bottlenecks and mobilising resources, Hanoi is increasingly aware of its growth drivers, particularly human and intellectual capital.
During the preparation of the congress documents, the municipal Party Committee compared local development data with those of other Asian capitals to assess its progress and competitiveness, Phong said. For the first time, the city will include new indicators such as a “happiness index” to measure the quality of life.
Steady growth amid global challenges
Over the past five years, amid complex global developments and the severe impacts of COVID-19, the Party organisation, administration, and people of Hanoi have maintained unity and resilience, successfully surmounting all challenges to meet the goals set in the resolution of its 17th Party Congress.
The city has achieved or surpassed most socio-economic targets, with four completed one to two years ahead of schedule. Its economy grew by an average of 6.57% annually, 1.1 times the national rate. Hanoi’s GRDP is expected to reach 63 billion USD in 2025, with per capita GRDP at some 7,200 USD.
Despite global economic headwinds, Hanoi remains one of Vietnam’s leading destinations for foreign direct investment. Since 1986, it has attracted cumulative FDI of 61.5 billion USD across 7,710 active projects, ranking second nationwide.
Le Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Finance, noted that investor confidence stems from the city’s improved business environment, sustainable development potential, regulation transparency, and investment incentives. Hanoi has also led the country in streamlining the administrative apparatus, completing the pilot urban government model, and conducting the largest-ever consolidation of commune-level administrative units.
Social welfare and human development have advanced markedly. The city’s Human Development Index (HDI) reached 0.829 in 2024, the highest in Vietnam. Hanoi has also succeeded in eliminating household poverty under multidimensional standards and substandard housing. Besides, it has maintained stability, security, and growing prestige as Vietnam’s political, economic, and cultural heart.
The 18th Party Congress of Hanoi is expected to be an event of "Solidarity – Democracy – Discipline – Breakthroughs – Development". The clear-sighted and strategic decisions to be made at the congress will serve as a lodestar for the local Party organisation, administration, and residents to join hands in tapping into every potential to realise the ambition of building a prosperous, happy, civilised, and modern capital./.
