Against the backdrop of preparing for the new term, the Second Plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee issued Conclusion No. 18-KL/TW on April 2, 2026, regarding the Socio-Economic Development Plan, national finance, and medium-term public investment for the 2026–2030 period. Hai Phong City immediately launched actions to translate this central guidance into local practice, aiming for a powerful breakthrough.
Strategic Vision from the Central Government: Aspiration for Breakthrough Growth
Conclusion No. 18-KL/TW was issued based on a comprehensive assessment of the 2021–2025 period. Despite facing unprecedented global challenges, the country achieved significant milestones: stable macroeconomics, an average 5-year growth rate of 6.2% per year, and a 2025 GDP per capita of approximately $5,026. Strategic breakthroughs in transport infrastructure, digital transformation, and social security have been highlighted as brilliant achievements.
However, the Central Government also frankly identified limitations: shaky macroeconomic foundations, low economic resilience, and persistent institutional bottlenecks. These issues primarily stem from limited forecasting and policy response capacities, as well as coordination between levels and sectors that was sometimes loose. Entering the 2026–2030 period, the Party Central Committee agreed on striving to achieve an average GDP growth of 10% per year or more. This "double-digit" goal is challenging but reflects the ambition to turn Vietnam into a developing country with modern industry, high-middle income, and a place among the world's top 30 economies by GDP size.
Key Tasks to Unclog Resources
To realize the above goals, Conclusion 18-KL/TW proposes a synchronized system of solutions across multiple fields. First is institutional reform, requiring the definitive removal of bottlenecks, pushing decentralization of power, and creating a transparent, competitive business environment. The objective by 2028 is for Vietnam's investment environment to be among the top three leaders in ASEAN. Second is the transformation of the growth model, with a strong focus on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. The Central Government aims to restructure economic sectors, vigorously developing energy industries, new materials, biotechnology, and especially the semiconductor industry. Agriculture is also oriented toward efficient and sustainable development associated with new rural construction.
Third is infrastructure breakthroughs, focusing on investing in planned expressways, major airports, and specifically accelerating the North-South high-speed railway. By 2030, the country aims to have over 5,000 km of expressways and complete a series of modern energy and telecommunications projects. Regarding finance and public investment, the Central Government determined a total state budget revenue for 2026–2030 of approximately 16.4 quadrillion VND, a 1.7-fold increase from the previous period. Public investment will be managed uniformly, focusing on key, inter-regional projects to create long-term growth momentum.
Hai Phong’s Rapid Response with the "6 Clears" Motto
Recognizing the importance of Conclusion 18-KL/TW, the Standing Committee of the Hai Phong City Party Committee provided timely instructions via Dispatch No. 2077-CV/VPTU dated April 5, 2026. Consequently, the Office of the City People's Committee issued Document No. 3650/VP-TH to departments and sectors, directing units to propose content for the Standing City Party Committee's draft Action Program.
As a vital growth pole in the Northern region, Hai Phong plays a pivotal role in realizing the main targets for 2026–2030 set by the Central Government. The city will focus on quantitative targets such as: the digital economy accounting for 30% of GDP, a 10% green economy, and at least 40% of enterprises engaging in innovation. In the infrastructure sector, Hai Phong will join the nation in the goal of completing 1,655 km of expressways and expanding urban rail networks. Regarding education, the city will contribute to making English a second language in schools and increasing the rate of certified trained labor to 35-40%.
The urgent response of Hai Phong’s political system immediately after Conclusion 18-KL/TW was issued demonstrates very high political determination. Requiring a consultative report in less than 10 days (from April 2 to April 10) proves a spirit of decisive action without wasting time. Hai Phong is striving not only to reach "double-digit" growth for itself but also to contribute worthily to the national goal: bringing Vietnam into an era of rising, becoming a developed, high-income country with social justice.
Vu Nhan