HCM City (VNA) – Fifty years have passed, but for Pham Chanh Truc, former Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, the early days after liberation remain vivid, filled with both joy and concern.
"At that time, Saigon was in chaos: hunger, unemployment, and crime were rampant. Some families had nothing to eat. Our soldiers had to break into enemy rice stores to feed the people. In this dire situation, the city’s determination to overcome difficulties began with organising youth volunteers to assist the residents," Truc recalled.
The city mobilised 10,000 youths to help restore local production, with then Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Vo Van Kiet directing the entire system to support the youth union. This collective effort from leaders and citizens enabled the city to navigate that challenging period, laying the groundwork for subsequent development.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Xuan Bien, Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences, emphasised the city's crucial role in national development. Reflecting on history, he noted that Ho Chi Minh City faced many challenges but also achieved significant accomplishments. After the country’s reunification in 1975, the city confronted high inflation, economic stagnation, and a struggling populace, causing many to leave.
"However, under the wise leadership of the local Party organisation and administration, HCM City focused on stabilising lives, restoring production, and gradually improving the situation. These efforts helped the city overcome its hardships, maintain socio-political stability, and create a foundation for economic development," Bien said.
In 2005, the city was awarded the title "Hero City," reaffirming its vital position in the nation’s construction and defence. As it enters a new development phase, the city continues to uphold its revolutionary tradition and dynamism, striving to be a growth engine for the entire country. It is also advancing digital transformation and green economic development, creating new drivers for sustainable progress.
Strong transformation
Dr. Tran Du Lich, who had worked closely with the city during its reform phases, highlighted Ho Chi Minh City as a pioneer in institutional and economic reform. It was the first to address institutional bottlenecks and innovate, laying the groundwork for national reform policies. The city was also the first to implement a managed market economy, serving as a model for the entire country.
"Today, Ho Chi Minh City contributes over 20% of the national GDP. It proposes and implements groundbreaking institutional reforms, from renovating administrative procedures and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to piloting special mechanisms. The city is not only an economic locomotive but also a source of new development ideas, especially in implementing Resolution 98 on distinct mechanisms," Lich said.
According to him, the city stands on the verge of golden opportunity. By 2025, it aims for double-digit growth and strives to become a global city. Therefore, it is actively pursuing dual transformations - digital and green. The city’s vigorous initiatives have attracted many overseas Vietnamese, encouraging them to return and invest in their homeland.
From the leadership's perspective, Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, stated that 50 years ago, under the Party's leadership, the people of Saigon-Cho Lon-Gia Dinh joined soldiers and people nationwide to make the Great Spring Victory, liberating the South and unifying the country. Since then, the city has continuously strived to overcome challenges, stabilise, and develop, becoming a major centre for economy, finance, trade, culture, science, technology, innovation, and education in the southern key economic region and the nation.
Moreover, the city serves as a crucial gateway to the region and the world, contributing significantly to the nation’s achievements and affirming its unique role in building and protecting the country. With a commitment to digital transformation and sustainable development, Ho Chi Minh City aims for a future where it not only leads economically but also stands as a global city, deserving of the trust and expectations of the entire nation.
Pham Binh An, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh city Institute for Development Studies, asserted that over the past 50 years, the city has reaffirmed its vital role in the nation’s reform and development journey. Notably, it has made significant contributions, such as establishing concentrated economic zones, industrial parks, and high-tech zones.
Currently, it is pioneering sustainable urban development models. With a dynamic and innovative spirit, the city continues to develop a socialist-oriented market economy, supporting businesses and fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. It is also focusing on effectively attracting foreign investment, improving the business environment, and securing large-scale FDI projects.
"Ho Chi Minh City prioritises spearhead areas such as tourism, digital transformation, and green growth, creating sustainable growth drivers. Notably, the city has achieved impressive results in socioeconomic development, meeting targets for sustainable poverty reduction and improving residents' quality of life," An noted./.
