On June 15, 2026, Chairman of the Hai Phong City People’s Committee, Do Thanh Trung, officially signed Decision No. 2232/QD-UBND, approving the ambitious project titled “Building Hai Phong into a Drug-Free City”. This strategic blueprint represents a landmark commitment by the city’s leadership to safeguard public health, ensure social order, and create a secure environment for sustainable economic development. The project is not merely a policy document but a comprehensive "fortress" strategy designed to eliminate the scourge of narcotics through a multi-dimensional approach involving every level of the political system and the community.
The Absolute Necessity: A Gateway Under Pressure
The necessity of this project stems from Hai Phong’s unique and vulnerable position as a major international gateway. As a primary hub for maritime, air, and land logistics, the city has unintentionally become a target for transnational criminal syndicates seeking to transit or distribute illicit substances.
Geopolitical Vulnerabilities The sources highlight that drug traffickers exploit Hai Phong’s open trade policies and convenient geography. Large quantities of narcotics—ranging from heroin and synthetic drugs to cocaine—are trafficked through complex routes:
- Sea Routes: Criminals utilize international seaports to move massive shipments. A prominent example cited is the seizure of 303 kg of cocaine at Dinh Vu Port, which had transited from South America via Singapore.
- Land and Air Routes: Drugs are transported from the "Golden Triangle" through North-Western and South-Western borders into the city. Meanwhile, the air and postal routes have seen a surge in sophisticated concealment methods within commercial goods.
The Rise of Cyber-Crime The digital age has introduced new threats. Traffickers increasingly use encrypted social media platforms like Telegram, Zalo, and Facebook to advertise, trade, and organize illegal drug use. This "virtual" market allows for high anonymity, making detection and intervention significantly more difficult for traditional law enforcement.
Internal Societal Impact The internal statistics are equally alarming. As of April 15, 2026, Hai Phong recorded 4,262 addicts and 461 active drug users. Most disturbingly, 113 out of 114 communes, wards, and special zones—equivalent to 99.12% of the city's administrative units—have residents who are either addicted to or using illegal substances. This widespread penetration threatens the city's "labor golden age" and places an immense burden on the healthcare and security systems.
Strategic Objectives: Building the "Communal Fortress"
The core philosophy of the project is to transform every commune, ward, and special zone into a "Drug-Free Fortress".
Specific Criteria for "Drug-Free" Status To be officially recognized as a drug-free locality, a commune or ward must meet three strict criteria: (1) No residents currently using or addicted to drugs (excluding those under strictly managed community rehabilitation); (2) No residents involved in drug-related crimes or fugitives relating to drug offenses residing in the area; (3) No locations or dens used for the organization, storage, or illegal use of narcotics.
A Three-Phase Roadmap The city has established a clear timeline to achieve its ultimate goal of a 100% drug-free city: (1) Phase 1 (Through 2027): Aim for at least 70% of communes, wards, and special zones to meet the drug-free standards. In 2026 alone, the city targets a 20% success rate for these units; (2) Phase 2 (2028–2030): Accelerate efforts to ensure 100% of administrative units reach the "Drug-Free" designation, officially completing the project's primary goal; (3) Phase 3 (2031–2035 and beyond): Focus on the sustainable maintenance of these results and preventing any relapse into drug prevalence.
Comprehensive Solutions: A Multi-Frontal Attack
To achieve these ambitious goals, the project outlines a system of integrated solutions focusing on Reducing Supply, Reducing Demand, and Reducing Harm.
- Leadership and Accountability The project places a heavy emphasis on the responsibility of leaders. The effectiveness of drug prevention in a specific locality is now a key criterion for evaluating the performance of the heads of Party committees, local governments, and police forces. Every agency and factory must sign commitments to remain drug-free.
- Modernizing Awareness and Prevention The strategy shifts from general propaganda to targeted, "door-to-door" education. Special focus is placed on high-risk groups, including students, youth, and workers in industrial zones. The goal is to build an "internal resistance" within every citizen, encouraging them to become a "soldier" in the fight against drugs. Schools are tasked with building "Drug-Free School" models to protect the younger generation from synthetic drugs and "disguised" narcotics found in food or e-cigarettes.
- Disrupting the Supply Chain Law enforcement agencies, led by the City Police in coordination with the Border Guard, Customs, and Coast Guard, are directed to "attack the root" of criminal organizations. The strategy moves away from "catching the middle" and instead focuses on dismantling entire transnational syndicates. There is a specific focus on controlling industrial precursors to prevent the local manufacture of synthetic drugs.
- Revolutionizing Rehabilitation (Reducing Demand) Recognizing that addicts are both lawbreakers and victims, the project invests heavily in the modernization of rehabilitation centers. Many current facilities have degraded over time, lacking the infrastructure for effective psychological and vocational therapy. The project plans to:
- Invest over 1,089 billion VND (total project budget) into upgrading facilities and equipment.
- Apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) for smart monitoring at rehabilitation centers and on key transport routes.
- Integrate digital health records with the National Population Database and VNeID for more efficient life-cycle management of addicts and those post-rehabilitation.
- Reintegration and Social Support To prevent relapse, the project creates a support system for those who have completed rehab. This includes vocational training, job placement, and preferential loans through the Social Policy Bank to help former addicts stabilize their lives. Businesses that hire reformed addicts are eligible for tax incentives and other support mechanisms.
The Profound Significance of the Project
The approval of the “Building Hai Phong into a Drug-Free City” project carries weight far beyond local security; it is a mission of political, economic, and humanitarian significance.
Politically and Legally, it fulfills the directives of the Politburo and the National Assembly regarding national drug control through 2030. It demonstrates the unity of the city’s political system in responding to an urgent social crisis.
Economically, a safe and drug-free environment is a "magnet" for international investment. By reducing crime—given that drug offenses are often the "root" of other crimes like theft and robbery—Hai Phong enhances its reputation as a stable, livable, and world-class port city.
Humanely, the project prioritizes the "human factor." It seeks to heal families torn apart by addiction and protect the physical and mental health of future generations. By viewing drug prevention as an "investment in sustainable development," Hai Phong is ensuring that its economic success is not undermined by social decay.
Conclusion
The path to a drug-free Hai Phong is undoubtedly challenging, requiring persistence, significant resources, and the unwavering cooperation of every citizen. However, with the resolute leadership established by Decision No. 2232 and a roadmap backed by technology and community strength, the city is poised to become a national model for social safety. As Hai Phong builds its "fortresses" against narcotics, it secures not just its streets, but its very future in the new era of global integration.