On December 31, the last day of 2024, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Tùng, Chairman of the Hải Phòng People’s Committee, joyfully announced the final domestic revenue figures, sharing a rare sense of ease and happiness. In 2024, Hải Phòng achieved an impressive domestic revenue of 50.068 trillion VND, surpassing the ambitious target set by the City People’s Council by more than 5 trillion VND. This remarkable figure is not only significant but also deeply moving for the city’s leaders, tax officials, finance departments, environmental and natural resources staff, and all Hải Phòng citizens, as it truly represents the city’s actual capacity and potential.
365 Days of Relentless Effort
Indeed, for decades now, December 31 has always been a day filled with a mix of suspense and anxiety. Given the city’s ambitious growth goals and the determination to resolve bottlenecks in domestic revenue, Hải Phòng has consistently set high annual revenue targets—each year’s target surpassing the previous by 3 to 5 trillion VND. These have been heavy and challenging tasks, compounded by both internal and external difficulties, making the race to meet domestic revenue targets a real struggle. Every month and every quarter, the city has had to scrutinize its revenue figures, at times even tracking them daily. As the final day loomed, leaders would often personally call large enterprises to ensure last-minute payments that would guarantee revenue targets were met. There were even instances of advance payments being encouraged. Remarkably, despite the challenges, Hải Phòng has always surpassed its revenue targets year after year.
In 2024, the City People’s Council assigned a domestic revenue target of 45 trillion VND—an exceptionally high figure considering the difficulties businesses faced and the government’s continued implementation of tax policies to “ease the burden on the people.” Furthermore, the aftermath of Typhoon No. 3 posed additional challenges. As always, domestic revenue performance was closely monitored in monthly and quarterly reviews to identify sources and ensure collection. However, 2024 stood out when, in the final six months, the city began receiving a steady stream of positive news.
In October 2024—still two months shy of the year’s end—Mr. Nguyễn Tiến Trường, Director of the Hải Phòng Tax Department, confidently shared that Hải Phòng was on track to achieve 48 trillion VND in domestic revenue—3 trillion VND above the target. His confidence hinted that Hải Phòng would once again exceed expectations. Indeed, on December 31, Director Trường confirmed the final figure: 50.068 trillion VND in domestic revenue—133.2% of the legal target and 11.2% above the city’s ambitious target, a 19.5% increase compared to 2023.
With this data, Hải Phòng became a national highlight, ranking second only to Đà Nẵng in terms of revenue surpassing legal targets. Even more satisfying, according to Chairman Nguyễn Văn Tùng, this was the first year Hải Phòng’s domestic revenue exceeded 50 trillion VND, contributing to the city’s total budget revenue (including customs revenue) of 118.255 trillion VND, ranking third nationwide after Hồ Chí Minh City and Hà Nội.
In the atmosphere of celebration, Director Nguyễn Tiến Trường highlighted eight key achievements of the Hải Phòng Tax Department in 2024. Nearly all units met or exceeded their assigned revenue targets; 17 out of 18 revenue indicators were completed or surpassed; revenue sources were expanded and managed to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and minimal losses. Notably, revenue from e-commerce reached around 700 billion VND. The department’s efforts to standardize data marked an important milestone, benefiting both tax administration and more than 30,000 businesses and households. Hải Phòng’s data standardization rate was second only to Điện Biên province.
Additionally, the digital transformation of tax administration has become more comprehensive, offering convenient, 24/7 online services for taxpayers and tax authorities alike. The electronic debt management system helped monitor and collect 1.5 trillion VND in outstanding debts.
Tax inspections and audits exceeded plans, recovering over 700 billion VND, reducing losses by over 1 trillion VND, and decreasing deductible amounts by more than 55 billion VND. The department also swiftly addressed taxpayer difficulties caused by Typhoon No. 3 and ensured timely tax refunds. Consequently, in the 2024 DDCI index, the Hải Phòng Tax Department scored 78.35 points, ranking first—an encouraging and well-deserved recognition after 365 days of tireless effort.
Aiming for Greater Revenue in 2025
Although the domestic revenue figures in 2024 were substantial, they still do not fully match Hải Phòng’s economic potential or meet its needs for development, especially capital investment. According to city leaders, the revenue structure remains imbalanced, with land-related revenue still accounting for a significant portion. Several sectors continue to experience revenue loss or shortfalls.
Therefore, in 2025, the city has reaffirmed that domestic revenue collection is a top priority. The target is to reach 54 trillion VND in domestic revenue—an ambitious and challenging goal, given the modest contributions from businesses in 2024 and the fact that land resources have already been extensively tapped.
Nonetheless, the city is resolute, directing districts and agencies to promptly review overlooked or inappropriate revenue sources, strictly address tax evasion and arrears, and actively support businesses to ensure sustainable and long-term revenue growth. Based on the assigned targets, each unit must create detailed plans with even higher aspirations to positively contribute to the city’s overall revenue performance.
Director, Mr. Nguyễn Tiến Trường shared that in 2025, the Hải Phòng Tax Department will focus on five key tasks, nine solution groups, and two breakthrough areas: ensuring accurate, timely, and full tax collection; nurturing and expanding revenue sources; enhancing tax management for households and individual businesses; improving e-filing, e-payment, and e-refund systems; and continuing to standardize taxpayer data. They will also strictly manage and recover tax arrears, strengthen targeted and risk-based inspections to combat revenue loss and tax base erosion.
The department remains committed to the principle of putting taxpayers at the center of its services. It will continue to provide effective support, promptly address difficulties and obstacles, and create favorable conditions for businesses and individuals to grow and contribute sustainably to the budget.
Equally important are ongoing reforms to modernize tax procedures, develop comprehensive digital transformation initiatives across all tax administration functions, and ensure convenience for both taxpayers and tax officials. This includes continuously improving human resources, enforcing discipline and accountability, and maintaining a strong stance against corruption and waste.
Domestic revenue collection is a key indicator of economic growth. After years of effort, Hải Phòng has finally crossed the 50 trillion VND milestone in domestic revenue. With determined and effective solutions, the city is poised to achieve major breakthroughs in 2025, matching its true potential and meeting its development needs.