Comrade Le Truong Luu - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the City People's Council, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Hue City

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation Day of the homeland and the 95th anniversary of the establishment of the Hue City Party Committee, Hue Today Newspaper interviewed comrade Le Truong Luu - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Hue City.

Dear Secretary of the City Party Committee, after the liberation of our homeland, what are the major difficulties and challenges in the development of Hue city?

In the early days after liberation, our Party and people had to face countless complex difficulties. The South in general and Thua Thien Hue (now Hue City) in particular were in a state of an economy completely dependent on American aid, a consumer society with the harmful effects of neo-colonialism and the consequences of war left too heavy.

The economy was weak, the infrastructure was destroyed by war, industry was insignificant, agriculture was fragmented, deserted, full of bombs and mines, lacking production equipment. The countryside was desolate, desolate, the mountains and forests were devastated by American bombs and toxic chemicals. Many relics were severely damaged, a series of works belonging to the Hue Monuments Complex were ruined and damaged. Tens of thousands of homeless and unemployed evacuees returned home empty-handed on the day of liberation, needing food, shelter, education, medical treatment...

Modern Huong River overpass in the middle of a green urban area. Photo: Nguyen Phong

The efforts to overcome the consequences of war and join hands to build the homeland in the first stage of renovation had just begun to blossom and bear fruit, but in 1999, a "great flood" swept away many achievements. The city's socio-economic development was pushed back for many years, and some things had to be done from scratch.

At the end of 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, causing negative impacts on the socio-economic situation of Hue city. Production was affected, supply chains were disrupted; production costs increased; tourism was "frozen", thousands of workers became unemployed, had no income, and many businesses had to stop operating, lost their ability to pay and were on the brink of bankruptcy...

Since the liberation day until now, Hue city has had to constantly confront and cope with natural disasters, epidemics, especially every year it has to endure many storms and floods,... which have had a significant impact on the city's socio-economic development.

Can you tell us about the proud achievements of Hue city over the past 50 years?

50 years after the liberation day, under the leadership of the Central Party, the National Assembly, the Government, the Party Committee, the government and the people of Hue city have promoted the spirit of solidarity, focused on leading and directing the entire political system, the business community and the entire people to strive, make efforts, overcome difficulties, overcome and heal the wounds of war, focus on political stability, promote socio-economic development and have achieved important achievements in all fields.

After 50 years, Hue has become the 6th centrally-governed city of Vietnam.

The socio-economic situation has achieved many important and outstanding achievements, developing towards green and sustainable growth. The economic structure has shifted positively and in the right direction. GRDP has grown through each stage and period, always at a high level compared to the national average and some provinces and cities in the Central region. In the period since the re-establishment of Thua Thien Hue province (1989) up to now, the economic scale has increased 8.5 times; the average GRDP growth rate is 6.1%/year (8.15% in 2024); budget revenue has increased by an average of 22%/year (nearly 13,000 billion VND in 2024); the total investment capital implemented in the area in 2025 is estimated at 37,000 billion VND; the export turnover value in 2025 is estimated at 1,450 million USD, an increase of 163 times; Average income per capita in 2025 is estimated to reach 70 million VND/person, an increase of 55 times.

The socio-economic infrastructure has been invested in a complete, synchronous and increasingly modern manner. Many large-scale projects of national and regional significance have been deployed and put into operation. Infrastructure of seaports, fishing ports, roads, coastal tourist areas, lagoons, etc. have been invested in and exploited effectively. Notably, many projects (DA) with positive impacts on the socio-economic development of the city have been deployed, such as: Upgrading and expanding National Highway 1A; Cam Lo - La Son expressway; coastal road and bridge over Thuan An estuary; Nguyen Hoang road and Huong river overpass; Ring Road 3; To Huu road extended to Phu Bai International Airport; Chan May port breakwater project - phase 2; Terminal T2 of Phu Bai International Airport has been put into operation and promoted effectively; Completed the project of relocating residents and clearing the ground for Area I of Hue Citadel, phase 1. The urban traffic system was renovated and improved, especially the roads along the Huong River. The new urban area of ​​An Van Duong developed strongly and modernly.

After liberation, at first there was no industrial factory, but now the province has 6 industrial parks with hundreds of factories, capable enterprises and many highly competitive products such as: Beer, automobile assembly, cement, textiles, electricity... Many large corporations and enterprises with brands have operated, researched and invested in production and business in the city, such as: VinGroup, Banyan Tree, BRG, AEON Japan... Notably, some new capacity-creating projects have come into operation, such as: Kim Long Motors Hue Project (phase 1) with a capacity of 3,500 units/year; Kanglongda Factory (phase 1), Phu Son Domestic Waste Treatment Plant, Van Nien Clean Water Treatment Plant, Scavi Hue 02 Factory, AEON Mall Hue Commercial Center; Golden Sands Golf Resort in Phu Vang...

Culture and society are increasingly developing comprehensively with the formation and affirmation of the position of 4 centers of the country in culture - tourism, health, education - training and science - technology. Hue's cultural identity, Hue people, historical and cultural values, environmental landscapes and nature are focused on preserving and promoting values; the conservation of Hue ancient capital relics is comprehensively implemented, Hue heritage has had a strong revival and effective promotion. Hue has become an attractive, safe, friendly and hospitable destination... with 8 World Heritages recognized by UNESCO, nearly 1,000 historical and cultural relics and more than 500 festivals of all kinds. Hue City owns many valuable titles and brands: Festival City typical of Vietnam; National Green City; ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City; ASEAN Clean Tourism City; Smart City;...

The rural area is increasingly spacious, modern and smart. Up to now, the whole city has 66/78 communes meeting new rural standards, 2 district-level units (Quang Dien district, Huong Thuy town) are recognized as meeting new rural standards. The work of sustainable poverty reduction and implementation of social security policies has been drastically implemented with many practical and effective solutions. From one of the most difficult provinces in the country after liberation, up to now, the city's poverty rate has decreased to 1.4%; people's lives have been increasingly improved and enhanced. Politics and society are stable. National defense and security are maintained. Foreign relations continue to be expanded; the image, position and prestige of Hue city in the integration period are enhanced.

The work of building the Party and the political system through the periods has always been of interest and importance. The contingent of cadres and party members has increasingly matured in all aspects, the government apparatus at all levels has operated in a disciplined and effective manner. The Party Committee since the liberation with 332 Party cells and 4,324 Party members has now grown to 698 grassroots Party organizations and more than 57,600 Party members.

Hue City was honored to be awarded the First Class Independence Medal by the State twice. Notably, from January 1, 2025, Hue officially became a centrally-governed city. This is an important historical turning point, a historical milestone, marking the comprehensive development of the ancient capital; the pride of the Party Committee and the people of Hue City.

To achieve those results, what factors were decisive, comrade?

That is the leadership of the Party. It can be affirmed that the great achievements after 50 years of construction and development, the city has always been associated with the leadership role of the Party Committee. Right from its establishment (April 1930), the Thua Thien Hue Party Committee (now the Hue City Party Committee) has led the people of the city and the whole country to write heroic pages of history of the nation. Over the past 95 years, the Party Committee has strived to concentrate efforts, intelligence, plan development strategies, ponder, explore, and experiment to open up suitable development directions, gradually make breakthroughs in all fields, create important changes in socio-economic construction and development. Always seriously grasp, concretize appropriately and organize drastic implementation, assign specific tasks to departments, branches, sectors, and localities to effectively organize the implementation of the resolutions of the Central Committee and the city. Creatively and flexibly apply the specific mechanisms and policies of the Central Committee; boldly pilot the city's mechanisms and policies.

That is the result of the process of focusing on innovating the leadership methods of the Party Committee. Always focusing on the work of building a clean and strong Party and political system. Promoting the role and responsibility of the leader in leading, directing, organizing implementation resolutely, creatively, effectively, with focus and key points. Taking care to build a team of cadres, party members, civil servants and public employees to meet the requirements and tasks in the new situation.

That is also the result of solidarity and unity in the political system, first of all in the Party Committee and Standing Committee of the Party Committee; promoting the strength of the great national unity bloc; doing well the work of mobilizing the masses, disseminating information and propaganda, orienting public opinion, creating consensus in the whole society to well implement the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws; having determination, courage and steadfastness to overcome all difficulties and challenges.

And in particular, the timely attention, direction, support and assistance of the Politburo, the National Assembly, the Government, the Central ministries, branches, Military Region 4, provinces, cities, and international friends in the process of building and developing Hue city is also one of the decisive factors contributing significantly to the achievements of the city.

Donning the appearance of a centrally-governed city, what are the orientations and basic solutions for the city to develop to match its new role and position?

Entering the new phase, the Party Committee sets the goal of both developing and preserving the unique identity of a heritage city, striving to excellently complete the goals and tasks set out in Resolution 54-NQ/TW of the Politburo; striving to build Hue into a city of sustainable development, safety, peace, friendliness, happiness, bearing the cultural identity of Hue and the people of Hue.

To achieve those goals and expectations, it is necessary to focus on a number of key tasks and solutions:

Firstly, effectively implement Resolution 175 of the National Assembly on the establishment of Hue City under the Central Government. Ensure the progress of the organization and apparatus arrangement of the political system to be "streamlined - compact - strong - effective - efficient - effective" according to the policies, regulations and instructions of the Central Government; ensure the stability of the new organization and apparatus to meet the requirements of tasks in the new situation.

Second , focus on removing difficulties, obstacles, and bottlenecks to unblock all resources. Strongly improve the investment and business environment, ensure readiness in promoting, calling for, and attracting investment. Continue to improve and enhance the ranking of the administrative reform index and competitiveness index. Strive to achieve a double-digit growth rate in the coming time. Perfect the mechanism and policies to encourage socio-economic development. Focus on reviewing and adjusting approved plans; speed up the implementation of city planning.

Third , promote economic restructuring associated with growth model innovation, improve productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness, strengthen economic resilience; promote the development of marine and lagoon economies. Promote potentials and advantages, focus on a number of key industries and sectors, create momentum for growth. Focus on mobilizing resources to invest in synchronous development of socio-economic infrastructure, urban development, and upgrade urban standards.

Fourth , continue to promote the position of 4 centers: culture - tourism, health, education - training, science - technology. Develop human resources with focus, key points, focusing on high-quality human resources for priority industries and fields to meet social requirements. Promote the development of digital transformation infrastructure, effectively implement Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation.

Fifth , closely combine economic development with ensuring national defense, security, social security, and protecting the ecological environment; between urbanization and new rural construction. Improve the material and spiritual life of the people. Inherit and develop the achievements that have been achieved. Well resolve the relationship between economic development and cultural development. Expand and improve the effectiveness of foreign affairs and international integration activities. Implement programs and plans for cooperation and association with other localities nationwide, especially with provinces and cities in the key economic region of the Central region in a specific, transparent, responsible, harmonized, and mutually developing spirit.

Sixth , improve the leadership capacity and fighting strength of Party committees, Party organizations and cadres and civil servants in conjunction with streamlining the apparatus, improving effectiveness and efficiency. Build a truly exemplary team of leaders and managers at all levels, especially those with sufficient qualities, capacity, prestige, equal to the task, and the ability to adapt to changes and requirements of socio-economic development in the new period. Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of management at all levels of government; build a great national unity bloc; promote cultural and revolutionary traditions; the dynamism, intelligence, creativity and self-reliance of Hue people.

Sincerely thank the Secretary of the City Party Committee for taking the time to answer an interview with Hue Newspaper today!

Duc Quang (Implementation)