Hai Phong Reinforcing Proactive Action, Sustaining Momentum for Breakthrough Growth

Hai Phong has entered 2026 with a renewed position, scale, and development aspiration. This year carries particular significance as the first year of implementing the Resolution of the Hai Phong City Party Congress, the opening year of the 2026-2030 five-year socio-economic development plan, and the year marked by elections for the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels.

In this context, an accurate assessment of 2025 outcomes, a clear identification of opportunities and challenges, and the establishment of strong political resolve for 2026 are decisive in shaping the city’s breakthrough in a new phase of development.

Overview of the investment promotion conference “Hai Phong Free Trade Zone - Destination of a New Era”, December  2025

2025 - A solid foundation for an acceleration phase

Under the direct and comprehensive leadership of the Hai Phong City Party Committee, close oversight by the People’s Council, and firm administration by the municipal People’s Committee, Hai Phong achieved many key socio-economic targets in 2025, creating a solid foundation for the acceleration phase ahead.

According to Chairman of the Hai Phong City People’s Committee Le Ngoc Chau, with GRDP growth reaching 11.81%, Hai Phong sustained double-digit growth at 1.47 times the national average, confirming its role as a growth engine for both the region and the country. Total budget revenue collected in the area reached nearly VND197 trillion (US$7.88 billion), equivalent to almost 134% of the central target. This figure reflected the vitality, scale, and quality of the port city’s modern urban-industrial-service economy.

Hai Phong’s economic scale in 2025 reached approximately US$30 billion, ranking third nationwide after Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and more than double that of Quang Ninh province. Total social investment reached VND321 trillion (US$12.84 billion), up 15.6%; export turnover exceeded US$50 billion; tourism rebounded strongly with 14.43 million visitors, up 23.4% year on year. In particular, the city disbursed 105.6% of the public investment capital plan assigned by the Prime Minister, providing clear evidence of firm and effective administration.

Aligning with the central orientation of “institutions as the breakthrough of breakthroughs,” Hai Phong proactively proposed, refined, and implemented a range of mechanisms and policies of strategic importance. Completion of the proposal leading to National Assembly Resolution No. 226 on piloting specific mechanisms and policies for Hai Phong development opened new institutional space, enabling the city to leverage its port, industrial, logistics, and international integration strengths more fully.

In parallel, the establishment of a free trade zone, submission to the Prime Minister of a proposal for a specialized economic zone, the issuance of 50 decisions on decentralization and delegation, and 201 resolutions of the municipal People’s Council gradually addressed bottlenecks, unlocked resources, and improved the effectiveness and efficiency of urban governance in the new development context.

Implementing central resolutions and conclusions on restructuring the organizational apparatus and building a streamlined, effective, and efficient local government, Hai Phong rolled out a two-tier local government model in a synchronized and methodical manner. To date, this model has operated largely stably, meeting service requirements for residents and businesses.

According to the announcement dated December 31, 2025, on the National Public Service Portal, Hai Phong ranked first nationwide in the index for serving people and businesses in administrative procedures and public service delivery. This outcome confirmed that administrative reform and digital transformation had become tangible competitive advantages for the city.

2026 - Determination for a breakthrough from an established base

Entering 2026, the first year of implementing the Resolution of the Hai Phong City Party Congress, Hai Phong has defined a clear action slogan: “Proactive Implementation - Mobilizing Momentum - Breakthrough Growth.” The city has set a GRDP growth target of at least 13%, planned to disburse no less than VND37 trillion (US$1.48 billion) in public investment capital across nearly 600 projects, and committed to implementing 22 key indicators, 10 groups of tasks and solutions, and 82 specific tasks across all sectors.

Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee Le Ngoc Chau added that the core focus of administration in 2026 is strengthening accountability of heads of agencies, tightening administrative discipline under the “six clarities” principle - clear responsibilities, clear tasks, clear timelines, clear accountability, clear outputs, and clear authority - while addressing localized thinking and avoidance of difficult work, and resolving stalled projects with total capital of about VND62 trillion (US$2.48 billion) to free up resources for development.

Alongside economic growth, the city will continue to prioritize cultural, educational, healthcare, and social security development in line with the spirit of Politburo Resolutions No. 71 and 72; effectively implement the 2026-2030 social housing program; and safeguard defense and security, maintaining political stability and social order.

With the established foundation, strong political resolve, and a methodical, disciplined approach, Hai Phong stands before a major opportunity to advance decisively, affirming its role as a modern port city, an international industrial-logistics-service center, and a key growth driver of the country.

2026 is not only a pivotal year but also a test of implementation capacity, leadership capability, and collective commitment across the political system. With the spirit of “High Resolve - Sustained Effort - Decisive Action,” Hai Phong has solid grounds to look ahead to a new development phase - faster, more sustainable, and higher in quality.

Ha Thanh (Vietnam Business Forum)