State President urges stronger, closer governance following administrative merger
State President Luong Cuong met with voters in Hoc Mon and Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City, on June 28 to inform them about the outcomes of the ninth session of the 15th National Assembly and to address their feedback and concerns.
State President Luong Cuong meets with voters in Hoc Mon and Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City, June 28, 2025. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) - State President Luong Cuong met with voters in Hoc Mon and Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City, on June 28 to inform them about the outcomes of the ninth session of the 💮15th National Assembly and to address their feedback and concerns.
Speaking at the meeting, the President praised the voters’ heartfelt and responsible feedback, which reflected deep concern for local, citywide, and national development. Their engagement, he noted, also demonstrated trust in the National Assembly’s activities.
He highlighted four key resolutions issued by the Politburo, referred to as the "Four Strategic Pillars", focusing on breakthroughs in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, international integration in the new context, reform of lawmaking and enforcement, and the development of the private sector.
He noted that Vietnam’s socio-economic situation in the first half of 2025 showed continued positive momentum. Macroeconomic stability was maintained, inflation kept under control, major economic balances secured, and social welfare upheld. Living standards remained stable with improvements recorded. Many key economic indicators surpassed those of the same period last year, with GDP growth for the first half projected at around 7.3%, placing Vietnam among the fastest-growing economies in the region and globally. Political and social stability, national defence and security were maintained, social order ensured, and international integration enhanced, raising Vietnam’s international reputation and stature. Anti-corruption and Party-building efforts also saw continued positive progress, creating a stable and peaceful environment for national development.
President Cuong affirmed that the achievements mentioned were in no small part thanks to the contributions of the Party, authorities, and people of HCM City, including Hoc Mon and Cu Chi districts.
He noted that the upcoming merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria – Vung Tau provinces will transform HCM City into a mega-city of roughly 6,770 sqkm and over 13.6 million people, with 168 wards and communes, including the Con Dao special zone. This unprecedented and ambitious reform aims to streamline governance, improve efficiency, and bring the administration closer to the people. However, it will pose significant challenges, requiring the united effort of the entire political system, Party committees at all levels, authorities, and strong support from the public.
In this context, the President urged the city to mobilise all resources to ensure the seamless and effective operation of the new two-tier local administration system, starting from July 1, with uninterrupted governance from the city to the commune level. The new system must not only function more efficiently but also be genuinely close to the people, ensuring no disruption to daily life while providing maximum support to citizens and businesses.
He emphasised that this new model requires high standards, with a large volume of work ahead. He stressed the importance of carefully selecting and organising personnel, with a merit-based, objective approach that prioritises matching the right people to the right roles.
He called on HCM City to continue implementing these national policies at the grassroots level in a way that upholds the Constitution and laws. He underscored the importance of democratic centralism and listening to the legitimate aspirations of the people. The city must effectively implement breakthrough resolutions that serve as the foundation and driving force for Vietnam’s development in the new era.
The President also stressed the need to further promote socio-economic development, ensure public security and order, and improve social welfare in the city.
He instructed the city to successfully lead and organise Party congresses at all levels for the 2020–2025 term, viewing this as a historic opportunity for HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong to jointly unlock their potential and create a new development space, contributing to Vietnam’s path towards prosperity.
Voter Le Van Khuyen from Thoi Tam Thon commune, Hoc Mon district, voices his opinion. (Photo: VNA)
During the meeting, voters raised concerns about ongoing challenges affecting daily life, such as urban infrastructure, planning, land management, and incomplete projects. They also shared thoughts on governance issues and public policies in the context of the transition to a two-tier local government.
Voters proposed increasing investment in information technology at the ward/commune level, establishing dedicated funding for IT infrastructure, upgrading internet connectivity, digital meeting equipment, and centralised data storage systems. They urged the rapid completion of online public service delivery, greater incentives and social engagement in building a digital economy and society, and expanded training for grassroots officials and the public through basic “digital literacy” programmes./.
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.
City authorities are urgently reviewing and aligning the urban railway development plan with the new administration model, focusing on station locations, depots, underground zoning and urban development following the transit-oriented development (TOD) model.
As Vietnam’s leading economic and cultural hub, Ho Chi Minh City continues to transform itself into a modern, smart metropolis. A key component of this transformation is the project to relocate power lines and telecommunications cables underground.
The two leaders welcomed the two negotiating delegations reaching consensus on a Vietnam - US joint statement concerning a fair, reciprocal, and balanced trade agreement framework.
PM Pham Minh Chinh acknowledged the army's proactive role in building an all-people national defence posture closely linked to the people-based security posture while fulfilling its functions as a fighting force, a working force, and a production force.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged the promotion of economic, trade, and investment ties between Vietnam and Australia, aiming to raise two-way trade to 20 billion USD.
Party chief To Lam expressed his belief that with unity, determination, and innovation, Hanoi will continue to thrive and deserve its role as the nation’s political and administrative centre, and the heart of the nation.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, the bilateral relationship has continuously developed in a solid, substantive, and effective manner across various fields, including politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, development cooperation, education and training, and people-to-people exchange.
On the East Sea issue, Vietnam’s consistent stance is to persistently strive to solve all disputes and disagreements by peaceful means based on international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, and international and regional commitments such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and support the prompt conclusion of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang suggested continued promotion of joint work in defence industry, training, and United Nations peacekeeping operations, while exploring new fields like war legacy resolution, maritime security, military medicine, military sports and culture, and service arms cooperation.
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc has called on all countries to jointly take action to revitalise multilateralism, promote active multilateralism, and work together to restore disruptions in international cooperation on development, trade, and investment.
The diplomat concluded that with the solid foundation and achievements of the past 50 years, and the strong political will of the two governments and the people, Vietnam–Portugal relations are set to expand and deepen, rising to a new height that reflects the true potential, shared values, and mutual aspirations of the two nations
The project to renovate, upgrade, and expand the monument site was a gift from the Vietnamese task force to its Lao counterpart, with a total value of 54 billion VND (2.06 million USD). The Lao side served as project investor, while the construction was undertaken by Company 206 of Military Zone 5 under the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence.
Xuan suggested Lombardy establish partnerships with several Vietnamese localities and economic centres, and expressed her confidence that the new direct flight between Hanoi and Milan - the capital of Lombardy - will help strengthen cooperation between the two regions, cultures, and peoples.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man urged the localities in Can Tho to leverage their respective strengths and support one another in building a more diverse, flexible, and sustainable economic structure to drive socio-economic development and improve the material and spiritual well-being of locals.
Vietnam wishes to further promote and enhance cooperation with Egypt in a more substantive and effective manner, serving the interests of the two countries' people, contributing to regional stability and development, and matching the strong bilateral political relationship.
The restructuring of the organisational apparatus and administrative units is a major policy of strategic significance, the Party chief stressed, saying that it demonstrates the Party and State’s strong political commitment to building a streamlined, efficient, and people-oriented administration.
Culture is a big and complex issue, forming a foundational component alongside Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought in shaping Vietnam’s socialist path, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.
The Vietnam–Australia Friendship Association elected a 40-member Executive Board for the 2025-2030 term, with Prof. Dr. Tran Tho Dat, Chairman of the Science and Training Council at the National Economics University, named President.