Vietnam Shifts Towards Modern Urban Governance

The Government has launched an action programme to develop Hanoi in the new era, putting people at the heart of development and leveraging innovation, green and digital transformation, and the circular economy to drive sustainable growth and strengthen the capital’s competitiveness. Under a master plan, Quang Ninh's urban development will be organised around three corridors, four socio-economic zones and five growth centres, including Ha Long, Van Don, Mong Cai, Quang Yen, and the Yen Tu–Ha Long Bay heritage complex. The province will adopt a multi-centre urban model placing people and heritage, including Ha Long Bay and the Yen Tu scenic complex, at its core. Located south of the Red River and extending from the historic inner city to newly developing areas in the south and the west, the central urban area along Red River’s right bank covers approximately 45,317 hectares and is projected to accommodate around 6.365 million residents by 2045 and 6.455 million by 2065. These urban development initiatives reflect Vietnam's aim to transition towards more sustainable and efficient urban governance models amidst rapid economic growth and urbanization. The Communist Party of Vietnam is also advancing policy decisions for strengthening Party discipline and national development, including discussions on draft regulations for Party members at the 14th Party Central Committee meeting. There is an emphasis on shifting from merely "managing information" to proactively "governing public trust" by gauging public sentiment and addressing potential issues early, especially in countering cognitive warfare utilizing AI and digital platforms. In diplomacy, Vietnam continues to be committed to deepening its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Japan, seeking enhanced cooperation for peace and prosperity. As an ASEAN member, Vietnam also aims to raise the bloc's voice and contribution to international human rights efforts. Economically, prospects appear strong, with Standard Chartered sharply raising its forecast for Vietnam’s economic growth in 2026. However, significant losses from floods and landslides in the northern mountainous region highlight the pressing need to address climate change impacts. Information source: VietnamPlus English