PM chairs meeting on HCM City’s socio-economic development

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting on Ho Chi Minh City’s socio-economic development and implementation of the National Assembly’s Resolution 98 on piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for the city’s development on August 10 in the southern metropolis.

PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting on Ho Chi Minh City’s socio-economic development and the implementation of the National Assembly’s Resolution 98 on August 10. (Photo: VNA)
PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting on Ho Chi Minh City’s socio-economic development and the implementation of the National Assembly’s Resolution 98 on August 10. (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting on Ho Chi Minh City’s socio-economic development and implementation of the National Assembly’s Resolution 98 on piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for the city’s development on August 10 in the southern metropolis.

According to the report, the city’s GRDP in the first half of the year soared by an estimated 6.46% over the same period last year, the highest since 2020, contributing 19.65% to the nation’s growth rate.

Other indicators recorded strong growth, such as total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue increasing by 10.3%, export turnover by 10%, import turnover by 5.9%, and the index of industrial production index (IIP) by 6.2% over the same period last year. The number of foreign tourists rose 30.3%.

Ho Chi Minh City also worked out synchronous solutions specifically aimed at speeding up the progress of key projects and works, with a particular focus on finding ways in which to remove legal obstacles to bring initial results.

The city submitted its planning for 2021 – 2030 with a vision until 2050, and set six breakthrough solutions to achieve a growth rate of 7% in 2024 and 8-8.5% in 2025.

Regarding the results of the one-year implementation of Resolution 98, the implemented work has brought positive effects, with many mechanisms having come into life, while several mechanisms are in the process of implementation.

Speaking at the meeting, PM Chinh highlighted the city’s position, role, potential, advantages and development opportunities, saying that the implementation of Resolution 98 has brought positive results, creating conditions for the rapid, strong and sustainable development of the city.

He praised the efforts of the city’s Party, authority, army and people with which resulted in many important results.

He stressed that HCM City should also promote the reform of administrative procedures, strengthen decentralisation in work handling, improve the provincial governance and public administration performance index, promote national digital transformation, build smart cities, develop housing funds for workers, ensure provincial defence and security, social order, create favourable conditions and environment for socio-economic development and strengthen building the Party and political system.

The government leader asked the city to strive to thoroughly grasp and concretise the Resolutions of the Party Central Committee and the National Assembly, thereby successfully fulfilling this year's goals and tasks to reach economic growth of 7.5% to 8%.

He expressed his hope and belief that with solidarity, unity, high determination, great efforts, and drastic actions, Ho Chi Minh City will bring into full play the achieved results, unleash resources, fully tap into its potential, and make greater breakthroughs to achieve constant development in the time ahead./.

VNA

See more

Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha (R) and EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, EU boast ample room for sustainable development cooperation

Since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1990, Vietnam and the EU have deepened the bilateral ties into one of the bloc’s most dynamic and in-depth partnerships with an ASEAN member, Ha noted, adding that the relationship entered a new chapter in January when the President of European Council’s visit upgraded it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang speaks at a discussion session on reforming multilateral systems and global governance, held on May 15, 2026, as part of the expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in India. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam ready to strengthen BRICS connection with Asia-Pacific

Hang called on countries to act responsibly in accordance with international law and the UN Charter; respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states; refrain from using or threatening to use force; and settle disputes peacefully through dialogue. She also underscored the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation through straits in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (centre), DPRK Vice Minister Pak of Foreign Affairs Sang Gil (left), and Vietnamese Ambassador to the DPRK Le Ba Vinh cut the ribbon to open the exhibition. (Photo: VNA)

Photo exhibition highlights Vietnam–DPRK relations

Visitors at the exhibition were moved by historical photographs dating back nearly 70 years, including images of the founding leader of the DPRK Kim Il Sung personally welcoming President Ho Chi Minh and a CPV delegation at Pyongyang’s Sunan International Airport during their visit to the DPRK from July 8–12, 1957. In return, the DPRK leader paid an official visit to Vietnam from November 27 to December 3, 1958.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM calls for substantive assessment of two-tier local administration operations

Chairing a meeting on the development of a scheme to review the first-year operations of the political system’s organisational apparatus and the two-tier local administration model, Tra emphasised that the review must comprehensively and objectively evaluate the nationwide implementation of administrative unit restructuring and the operation of the new local administration model.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi (right) and First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia Andrey Yatskin at their meeting in Moscow on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Key directions for Vietnam–Russia cooperation in 2026

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi had a working session with a delegation from the Russian Federation Council led by First Deputy Chairman Andrey Yatskin, in Moscow on May 14, discussing the expansion of multifaceted cooperation in 2026.

Officials from Cao Bang province of Vietnam and Baise city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China hold talks on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

Cao Bang, China’s Baise city eye to boost all-around cooperation

Cao Bang province of Vietnam and Baise city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China are exploring a “red tourism” route linking Pac Bo and Meng Mo (China) to promote revolutionary tradition education and strengthen bilateral friendship. They are also stepping up cooperation in human resource development through training exchanges and efforts to improve workforce quality.

Atsaphangthong Siphandone (centre), Secretary of the Vientiane Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Council, speaks at the working session. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane strengthen cooperation for 2026–2030

Under the MoU, the two sides will strengthen cooperation in politics – diplomacy, security – defence, legal and judicial affairs, economic affairs, education, culture and society, cooperation among mass organisations and socio-political organisations, and development support.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (left) meets with Jo Yong Won, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) and Chairman of the SPA of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in Pyongyang on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam wishes to unceasingly develop ties with DPRK: Foreign Minister

Jo Yong Won, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) and Chairman of the SPA of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), expressed confidence that under the leadership of the CPV, headed by General Secretary and President Lam, Vietnam will successfully achieve the strategic goals set forth at the 14th National Party Congress.

New Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar (front) at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Government in Budapest on May 12, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Congratulations to newly-elected Hungarian leaders

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on May 15 sent messages of congratulations to Magyar Péter and Forsthoffer Ágnes on their election as Prime Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, respectively.

Ministers and deputy ministers from BRICS member and partner countries pose for a group photo while attending the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in India on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Dr Anatoly Sokolov from the Oriental Research Institute under the Russian Academy of Sciences in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondent in Russia. (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh’s experience in Soviet Union crucial to Vietnam’s revolution: Russian scholar

The Russian scholar emphasised that Ho Chi Minh’s years in the Soviet Union provided him with essential experience in organising the masses and conducting political work for revolutionary purposes. This knowledge proved crucial when he later successfully led the August Revolution in 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam - the first people’s democratic state in Southeast Asia - without relying on external assistance. The victory became a powerful inspiration for national liberation movements across colonised countries worldwide, he added