The Hanoi People's Council on July 10 approved a resolution establishing criteria for awarding the Commemorative Medal "For the cause of building, protecting, and developing the Capital."

According to the resolution, the medal will be awarded to individuals who uphold the Party's guidelines and the State's laws and have made contributions to the building, protection, and development of Hanoi.

To be eligible, recipients must meet at least one of the following criteria.

The medal may be awarded to those who participated in revolutionary activities in Hanoi before August 19, 1945, or who joined the resistance wars against the French or the Americans in Hanoi and have been awarded medals or decorations for those efforts.

It also applies to Hanoi residents who participated in those wars in other provinces but were recognized with official commendations.

Vietnamese Heroic Mothers whose husbands or children fought and sacrificed their lives in Hanoi, or who are Hanoi residents whose family members sacrificed their lives in other localities, are also eligible.

Other eligible individuals include those who have held key positions in the Hanoi Party Committee or People's Council and Committee, including former and current Party Secretaries, Vice Secretaries, Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of the People's Council and People's Committee, and members of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee.

The award also extends to assistants of Politburo members serving as Hanoi Party Secretary and other high-ranking officials in departments, political and social organizations, or district-level leadership, provided they meet certain years of service.

Specifically, leaders at the city level such as department directors, chief office heads of the Party Committee, and party secretaries of subordinate units who have served at least five years are included.

Deputy-level leaders or heads of mass organizations with at least eight years of service are also eligible, as are ward-level chairpersons and secretaries with 10 years or more in office, and their deputies with fifteen years or more.

Hanoi People's Council delegates who have served two terms or more, or individuals honored by the city for exceptional achievements, such as holders of national hero titles, high-ranking medals, or top prizes in international or regional competitions, may also qualify.

Individuals who have received 10 or more Certificates of Merit from the Hanoi Party Standing Committee, or multiple honors from the city, including recognition as "Good People, Good Deeds" or "Capital Innovators," are likewise eligible.

The medal also acknowledges those outside the city government – officials from national ministries, central agencies, or other provinces – who have made meaningful contributions to Hanoi's growth in areas such as the economy, culture, society, defense, or international cooperation.

This applies to overseas Vietnamese and foreigners as well, provided they are nominated by Hanoi departments or agencies.

In special cases, the Chairperson of the Hanoi People's Committee may decide to award the medal to individuals with significant contributions across all fields, based on recognition from the Hanoi Party Committee, People's Council, or People's Committee.

According to Duy Hoang Duong, Head of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Hanoi People's Council, the new resolution is necessary to replace Resolution No. 16/2024/NQ-HDND.

It ensures legal compliance, better reflects real-world conditions, and facilitates the nomination and award process for both agencies and individuals.

He added that the updated name of the medal, "For the cause of building, protecting, and developing the Capital," fully encompasses all types of contributions made toward Hanoi's growth.