The northern city of Hai Phong marked its liberation from the French colonialists 60 years ago at a ceremony held on May 9 in the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, among others.
During the struggle against foreign invaders, Hai Phong emerged as one of the cradles of the Vietnamese working class and Vietnamese workers’ movement and was among the first localities nationwide absorbing and experimenting the Marxism-Leninism introduced into the country by Nguyen Ai Quoc, the then President Ho Chi Minh.
Under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, Hai Phong’s people and soldiers stood steadfastly together with their peers across the country in the resistance war against the French. They contributed to the globally-renowned Dien Bien Phu victory that ended the French’s domination in Vietnam.
On May 13, 1955, Hai Phong was liberated from the French, joining the north’s new chapter of building socialism and preparing logistics for the struggle towards the liberation of the southern region and the ultimate national reunification.
Today’s Hai Phong recorded an average annual GDP growth rate of 10.43 percent and a per capita income of 2,857 USD. Poor households declined sharply, to 2.33 percent.
Addressing the celebration, PM Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his hope that the city will build on its glorious tradition and achievements to do more for its modernity as well as the wealth of its citizens.
He said he expects Hai Phong will be a key locality in develop the sea-based economy, advising it to also focus on hi-tech agriculture and scientific and technological advance application in the processing of agro-products and seafood.
Administrative reforms need to be sped up productively to turn the city into a magnet for investments, he said.-VNA
