Hai Phong decisively implements solutions to achieve economic growth targets

On the afternoon of April 1, Mr. Le Ngoc Chau, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee, and Chairman of the City People’s Committee, chaired the regular meeting to review the implementation of socio-economic development tasks in March and to deploy key tasks for the second quarter and the following months.

Attending the meeting were Mr. Do Thanh Trung, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Vice Chairpersons of the City People’s Committee, and representatives of leaders from departments and agencies. The meeting was held in person and online, connecting to 114 communes, wards, and special zones across the city.

11 out of 12 socio-economic targets met or exceeded the planned scenario

In the first quarter of 2026, the city’s socio-economic situation continued to remain stable, achieving many positive results and creating an important foundation for successfully implementing the socio-economic development goals and tasks for 2026.

A total of 11 out of 12 targets are expected to meet or exceed the planned scenario, including: the Industrial Production Index (IIP) increased by 14.9% compared with the same period; total state budget revenue in the area accumulated to VND 58,460 billion as of March 31, reaching 30% of the estimate assigned by the Central Government and the City People’s Council, and 15.8% higher than the Q1 revenue plan; total realized investment capital in the area was estimated at nearly VND 69,500 billion, up 13.5%; export turnover was estimated at USD 12.1 billion, up 7.8%; cargo throughput via ports reached 42.8 million tons, up 11.1%; and tourist arrivals reached 2.8 million visitors, an increase of 12.5% compared with the same period in 2025.

Regarding public investment disbursement, as of March 30, 2026, the city had disbursed VND 8,399 billion, equivalent to 21.7% of the capital plan assigned by the Prime Minister, reaching 22.9% of the capital plan excluding the 5% savings and on-lent ODA loans, exceeding the planned scenario of 18%.

In the first quarter, the city attracted nearly USD 964.7 million in foreign direct investment (FDI), an increase of 87%. Domestic investment reached VND 44,137 billion.

Across the city, 2,172 new enterprises were established with a total registered capital of VND 15,781 billion, representing an increase of 42.4% in the number of enterprises and 29.1% in registered capital compared with the same period in 2025.

In addition, one key indicator is expected to fall short of the planned scenario: the GRDP growth rate, which reached only 10.87%, compared with the target of 12% for the first quarter. The reason is that the global economic and political situation continues to evolve in a complex and unpredictable manner, while growing global trade tensions have affected import–export activities and investment flows. In addition, fuel prices fluctuated significantly during March.

For the second quarter of 2026, the city aims to achieve economic growth of 13.85% compared with the same period in 2025, collect VND 93,818.01 billion in state budget revenue, and complete 988 social housing units.

At the meeting, leaders of the City People’s Committee, departments, agencies and localities focused discussions on several issues, including state budget revenue collection, public investment disbursement, site clearance for key projects, progress in adjusting detailed planning schemes, and preparations for the Red Flamboyant Festival – Hai Phong 2026.

Striving to achieve a 13.85% economic growth target in the second quarter.

Concluding the meeting, Mr. Le Ngoc Chau, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, and Chairman of the City People’s Committee, assessed that the city’s socio-economic situation in March and the first quarter of 2026 continued to maintain positive growth momentum and achieved many encouraging results.

Amid the increasingly complex developments in the global situation, in order to achieve the economic growth target of 13.85% in the second quarter, Chairman Le Ngoc Chau requested departments, agencies, sectors, and localities to uphold a strong sense of responsibility and urgently complete 16 items to be submitted to the first session of the 17th City People’s Council for the 2026–2031 term. He also emphasized that the disbursement of public investment capital must reach at least 40%.

At the same time, relevant units were urged to accelerate procedures related to planning, construction investment, and investment attraction for industrial park projects and housing projects in the specialized economic zone. Efforts should also be stepped up to finalize the overall city master plan, striving to complete and submit it to the Prime Minister for approval in 2026.

The Chairman of the City People’s Committee assigned the Department of Finance to urgently advise and report on the implementation results of Resolution No. 226 of the National Assembly; review and propose reports to the National Assembly, the Government, and relevant ministries and sectors to consider and address the city’s proposals and recommendations in accordance with the conclusions of General Secretary To Lam stated in Notice No. 27 dated March 18, 2026 of the Party Central Committee Office. The department is also tasked with promptly resolving long-pending and delayed projects, handling redundant office facilities, and developing a revised plan and scenario for the disbursement of public investment capital to ensure alignment with practical conditions. It must also review and finalize the city’s medium-term public investment plan for the 2026–2030 period.

The Department of Construction was instructed to urgently complete a plan for the renovation and reconstruction of old apartment buildings across the city. The department must accelerate the preparation of the city’s general master plan to 2050 with a vision to 2075, striving to complete and submit it to the Prime Minister for approval in 2026. It is also required to finalize documents for adjustments to several master plans after receiving feedback from the Ministry of Construction, and to advise on plans for groundbreaking and inauguration ceremonies of projects celebrating the anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment was requested to closely follow the plan for land-use rights auctions and the plan for collecting land-use fees in order to accelerate implementation, striving to achieve at least VND 6.6 trillion in revenue in the second quarter of 2026. The department must also develop the 2026 disaster prevention and control plan for the city and a new rural development program for the 2026–2030 period.

The Department of Industry and Trade was tasked with closely monitoring the production and business activities of enterprises and economic establishments, promptly proposing solutions to remove difficulties and obstacles to promote production and business activities, and ensuring sufficient supply of electricity and fuel for both production and daily life. The department must also accelerate the construction of infrastructure for 24 industrial clusters according to the planned scenario.

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism was assigned to successfully organize the Red Flamboyant Festival – Hai Phong 2026 and activities celebrating major holidays in April and May. The department must urgently complete four proposals in the fields of culture, sports and tourism for submission to the City People’s Committee in April 2026, while intensifying promotion to attract visitors for the 2026 sea tourism season, ensuring safety, civility, and high efficiency.

Chairman of the City People’s Committee Le Ngoc Chau emphasized that in the second quarter of 2026, the workload remains very large while some first-quarter targets have not met the planned scenario. The city has issued comprehensive programs, plans, and scenarios regarding economic growth, state budget revenues and expenditures, and public investment disbursement. Therefore, all levels and sectors are required to focus on implementing these tasks decisively and effectively.

Party committees, leaders of departments, sectors, units, and localities were urged to uphold a strong sense of responsibility, urgently review, develop, and implement plans for the second quarter in accordance with the principle of “six clarities” (clear responsibilities, tasks, timelines, outcomes, authority, and accountability). At the same time, they must promote proactiveness and determination in implementation, strengthen administrative discipline, promptly address emerging difficulties and obstacles, avoid shifting or evading responsibilities, and ensure progress, quality, and efficiency in order to achieve the highest possible results for the targets set for the second quarter and the whole year of 2026.

Pham Cuong - Duy Thinh