It is roughly 60 years since Hanoi was liberated. The capital city has witnessed tremendous changes in appearance as well as achievements in economy, culture, science and education. Hanoi was named the "City for Peace,” called "Heroic Capital City" and decorated a lot of orders and medals.
In the 1954-1975 period, Vietnam built socialism in the north, fought to liberate the south and ended in national reunification in 1975. In the 1954-1964 period, Hanoi overcame war aftermaths. It restored the economy, built industrial factories, built agricultural production infrastructures, and constructed and upgraded schools and hospitals. By 1965, Hanoi became the largest industrial centre in the north.
In 1975 the American war ended in victory for Vietnam and the country was reunified. Hanoi urgently restored economic and cultural bases destroyed during the war, protected the nation, and found ways to overcome difficulties to go up. By 1982, the city had built, repaired and expanded 95 enterprises and put into use some key transportation projects.
In the doi moi (renovation) era (1986-present), Hanoi always thoroughly understood and creatively applied doi moi policies of the Party. The Hanoi City Party Committee put forth socioeconomic development policies. The city was determined to reform management mechanism, develop multi-sector commodity economy operated under the State-regulated socialist-oriented market mechanism. Hence, the city’s economy kept high, sustainable growth. The economic structure was gradually shifted towards the orientation of industrialisation and modernisation, featured by an increasing proportion industry and a decreasing proportion of agriculture in the city’s GDP.
Urban construction and management has improved. The city renovated and upgraded existing infrastructures and built new ones to support modern development. Hanoi also saw much progress in culture, society, education, training, health, national security and defence. The political system was expanded in scale, calibre and leadership capacity.
In 2008, Hanoi enlarged its administrative boundary and its economic position and contribution to the country got bigger. In the 2008-2014 period, the economic growth averaged 9.23 percent a year, GDP per capita increased and livelihoods were improved. State budget revenue increased year after year (up 10.05 percent in the period) and usually exceeded the estimates. Investment capital climbed 16.6 percent a year on average in the 2008-2014 period. In 2013, total social investment capital reached VND232,659 billion, as much as 1.87 times higher than that in 2008.
Urban and rural planning, construction and management was also improved. The city saw considerable progress in agriculture, countryside construction and industrial production. Hanoi has built 107 industrial zones on a total area 3,192 ha, an increase of five complexes and 2.8 percent of area than in 2008.
While livelihoods of citizens have been improved year after year since the liberation, the city’s cultural values, traditions, customs and practices are always preserved and promoted. These unique identities make Hanoi people.
Thinh An- Le Hien
Vietnamese
