Turning Hai Phong into model city in line with Uncle Ho’s teachings

The Hai Phong Party Committee held a ceremony on the morning of October 20 to mark the 80th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s first visit to Hai Phong (October 20 – 21, 1946 – 2026).

Attendees included Trinh Van Quyet, Politburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Central Commission for Propaganda and Education; Le Tien Chau, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister and former Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee; representatives of Central agencies, ministries and sectors; Hai Phong leaders; exemplary organizations and individuals in studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s example; and representatives of the armed forces, workers, and students in the city.

Affirming the role as a leading economic driver

In his keynote address, Trinh Van Quyet, Head of the Central Commission for Propaganda and Education, affirmed that the Party, State and people nationwide expect Hai Phong to become a genuine growth pole and a leading economic driver for the country. Central bodies have assigned Hai Phong the country’s highest growth target for 2026 – 2030, averaging 13 – 14% annually.

Recalling President Ho Chi Minh’s return to Vietnam through Hai Phong Port in October 1946, Quyet noted that Uncle Ho’s profound principles of putting people first, using knowledge as a source of strength and making development a central task remain fully relevant. His teachings are an invaluable spiritual legacy and a guiding light for Hai Phong’s continued progress.

Following Uncle Ho’s example, Hai Phong Party organization, armed forces and people have always been at the forefront of defending the nation, pioneering changes in economic thinking and becoming one of the country’s leading growth drivers. In the first nine months of 2026, the city’s economy grew by 12.08%, ranking third nationwide.

Over the 10 years of implementing the Politburo’s Directive No. 05, studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s example has become embedded in the work of each agency, organization and residential area, with many outstanding examples emerging from everyday life.

Quyet emphasized that the merger of Hai Phong and Hai Duong has opened up new development space by combining maritime and delta advantages, seaports and an industrial hinterland. To realize its potential, the city must sustain double-digit growth while improving productivity, quality and efficiency and protecting the environment. It should also make full use of special mechanisms and policies, including the Free Trade Zone.

Alongside economic development, Hai Phong must build a disciplined, civilized and compassionate society, ensure balanced development across its regions and enable residents to share in the benefits of growth.

He expressed confidence that, drawing on the proud tradition of a heroic port city and the rich cultural heritage of the eastern region, Hai Phong Party organization, armed forces and people would unite, show initiative and creativity, and build an industrial port city, a modern logistics hub that is modern, civilized, ecological and worth living. The city should lead the way in building socialism and live up to its role as a leading economic driver for the country.

Following Uncle Ho’s teachings through tangible results

In his commemorative speech, Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee Le Ngoc Chau recalled the historic afternoon of October 20, 1946, when President Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam aboard the French warship Dumont d’Urville after a diplomatic mission to France to fight for the nation’s independence and freedom. The vessel docked at Ngu Wharf in Hai Phong Port. The city had the honor of welcoming Uncle Ho home on behalf of the people nationwide, marking his first visit to Hai Phong.

On the morning of October 21, 1946, at a rally in a flower garden beside the Lap River, he advised: “With the elders setting an example and everyone working together in unity, Hai Phong will surely become a model city for our country.”

Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee Le Ngoc Chau emphasized that over the past 80 years, the city Party organization, authorities, armed forces and people have continuously strived to follow Uncle Ho’s teachings, setting an example in combat and national defense, labor and production, innovation and development, social welfare and care for people’s lives.

Following the merger, the city quickly stabilized its organizational structure, ensured smooth operation of its administrative apparatus and maintained strong economic growth.

Alongside economic development, Hai Phong has consistently pursued the principle of “putting social welfare first,” caring for people who rendered service to the nation and vulnerable groups, implementing healthcare, education and housing support policies, investing in cultural and sports facilities, and preserving and promoting its heritage.

In implementing the Politburo’s Directive No. 07 on “Promoting the study and practice of Ho Chi Minh’s thought, morality, methods and style in the new stage of development,” Secretary Le Ngoc Chau stressed that learning from and following Uncle Ho must be linked to addressing practical issues and measured by tangible results. The city is implementing 11 models of socialism linked to building socialist citizens through practical initiatives, ensuring that every resident benefits from development.

To continue following Uncle Ho’s teachings and achieve the goals set out in the resolutions of the first Hai Phong Party Congress, the secretary outlined key tasks, including building a united, clean and strong Party and political system; renewing the growth model based on productivity, science, technology and innovation; linking economic development with social progress and equity; caring for people who rendered service to the nation and vulnerable groups; strengthening national defense and security while firmly safeguarding maritime sovereignty and islands; among others.

On behalf of the City Party Committee, Le Ngoc Chau launched an emulation movement across the Party organization, authorities, armed forces and people under the theme “Hai Phong follows Uncle Ho’s teachings – Unitied and proactive implementation – momentum promotion – breakthrough growth.” In the immediate term, the city aims to fulfill and exceed its targets and tasks for 2026, laying the foundation for successfully achieving its socio-economic development goals for 2026 – 2030.

At the ceremony, the Party organization, authorities and people of Hai Phong were honored to receive a first-class Labor Order; the Party organization of Hong Bang Junior High School in Hong Bang Ward received a third-class Labor Order; Quang Trung Primary School in An Quang Commune and Ha Canh Duong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Council of Hong Chau Commune, received certificates of merit from the Prime Minister for their outstanding achievements in implementing the Politburo’s Directive No. 05 during 2016 – 2026.

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