With an overwhelming majority of votes, the 16th National Assembly has passed the revised Capital Law, granting more than 190 specific and outstanding powers to the Hanoi city government. These are breakthrough measures to support the capital's development in the coming period.

To better understand the new provisions of the revised Capital Law, the Hanoi Portal conducted an interview with Party Central Committee Member, Vice Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee and Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang.

The National Assembly has just passed the revised Capital Law with a very high approval rate. Could you share the key contents of this revised law?

On behalf of the Hanoi municipal government, I would first like to express my sincere thanks for the attention and support from the Party, the National Assembly, the Government, central agencies, provinces, and cities nationwide, experts, scientists, and National Assembly deputies for the passage of the revised Capital Law. The strong consensus among deputies reflects a shared expectation for Hanoi to possess special mechanisms to develop and fulfill its role as the capital, leading and inspiring other localities nationwide.

The issuance of the Capital Law demonstrates strong political determination from the central government, the city, and society as a whole, aiming to establish superior institutions to help realize the goal of building Hanoi into a "Cultured, Civilized, Modern, and Happy" capital with regional and global stature, as outlined in Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW dated March 17, 2026, of the Politburo and the Capital Master Plan with a 100-year vision.

This revised Capital Law reflects a new approach with comprehensive and decisive decentralization and delegation of power, accompanied by control mechanisms and accountability, ensuring that the capital has sufficient authority, tools, and resources to proactively decide, organize implementation, and take full responsibility for its development matters. This is a major breakthrough in the revised law.

The revised Capital Law grants Hanoi’s municipal authorities 199 special, exceptional powers beyond standard regulations. What are the key breakthroughs that will drive the Capital's development?

Several areas demonstrate strong decentralization. The city gains autonomy in organizational structure and staffing, with the Hanoi People's Council authorized to decide staffing levels within the political system. Individuals directly managing civil servants are allowed to handle recruitment, appointment and evaluation. The city also has special mechanisms for selecting, hiring and employing leaders of public service units and state-owned enterprises.

The law expands authority to issue legal documents, allowing the city to promulgate regulations to implement laws and resolutions of the National Assembly when central regulations are absent or insufficient.

Alongside decentralization in policy piloting, the law empowers the city to design and test new mechanisms and policies that differ from existing regulations to address institutional bottlenecks.

In resource management, the city is authorized to issue mechanisms for managing and utilizing forest resources, water resources and other assets, along with land readjustment measures, compensation, support, resettlement, land allocation, leasing and land use conversion, in compliance with approved plans and principles.

In planning and construction, the city can issue policies and measures for planning, management and implementation. It can proactively develop policies for green and smart urban development, transit-oriented development and urban renovation and redevelopment.

In finance and investment, the city gains greater autonomy in budget structure, credit decisions, and the establishment of financial funds for development investment. It has the authority to approve major projects, apply investor and contractor selection methods, decide on public-private partnerships (PPP), and introduce new mechanisms for managing public assets and infrastructure. The law also supports innovation in science, technology, culture, education, healthcare, and social welfare.

These mechanisms enable Hanoi to modernize governance, optimize resources and improve quality of life while driving growth across sectors. They also promote development across the Capital Region, the Red River Delta, the northern midland and mountainous areas and the entire country.

The law also includes mechanisms to attract and develop talent and to protect officials who take the initiative. Legal liability exemptions apply to individuals who act within their authority, follow procedures, and have no personal gain, even if damage occurs. This is an important measure to attract experts, scientists, and experienced professionals while reducing hesitation among officials when implementing innovative policies.

With expanded authority comes accountability and power control. What measures will ensure effective, transparent implementation?

Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW emphasizes strict compliance with regulations on anti-corruption, waste prevention and accountability, while enhancing autonomy and individual responsibility to promote innovation.

The revised Capital Law reflects trust in Hanoi's government to lead development. Strong decentralization is accompanied by oversight, inspection and accountability mechanisms to ensure effective power control.

At the same time, it ensures that policies are implemented within proper authority, aligned with objectives, transparent, efficient and consistent with national interests.

To ensure effective and transparent implementation, the city will adopt several measures.

First, we will clearly define responsibilities, tasks, timelines, outputs and authority of each agency and unit in implementing the law.

Second, the authorities will conduct regular inspections, guide and promptly address challenges arising during implementation.

Third, we will strengthen inspection, supervision and enforcement to address violations and weaknesses in the development and protection of the Capital.

Fourth, local governments will ensure transparency and accountability in land use, investment projects, administrative procedures and other areas, enabling public participation and oversight.

Fifth, we will strictly comply with monitoring, reporting and inspection requirements from central authorities.

As the Capital and national political administrative center, how do you expect Hanoi to lead and create spillover effects nationwide?

As the heart of the country, Hanoi not only benefits from special mechanisms but is also entrusted with designing policies at a higher level to meet development expectations in the new era.

The law not only decentralizes authority but also allows Hanoi to issue legal documents under special mechanisms to achieve regional and international standards, driving development across the Capital Region and the country.

It permits pilot policies that differ from existing laws, creating flexible institutional space to test new governance and development models, positioning Hanoi as a leader in policy innovation.

The law enables pilot models in organizational structure, civil service, science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, education, culture, healthcare and agriculture, including ecological and high-tech farming.

It also supports new approaches in urban and rural management, spatial planning, sustainable development and resource mobilization and allocation.

These provisions provide a foundation for modern governance based on technology and data, ensuring efficient resource use, balanced development, environmental protection and preservation of urban identity.

The law will take effect on July 1, 2026 with some provisions implemented earlier. How is Hanoi preparing for implementation?

Although the law provides a framework, effective implementation requires detailed policies and regulations following decentralization.

Hanoi will implement several solutions to bring the law into practice.

First, the city will issue implementation plans, including communication, training and guidance, while prioritizing timely and high-quality regulatory documents.

The Hanoi People's Council will organize specialized and regular sessions to adopt implementing regulations. Documents under the authority of the People's Committee and its Chairman will be issued promptly for clear provisions, while more complex issues will follow appropriate timelines.

Second, the city has reviewed and identified areas requiring detailed regulations, including policies inherited from previous laws and new provisions under the revised law.

More than 110 out of over 150 delegated authorities have already been prepared, while the remaining long-term issues will be further studied and refined.

Third, the city has prepared financial and human resources to implement policies effectively. It will enhance the capacity of officials, involve experts and scientists and strengthen transparency and oversight.

Coordination among city agencies, including the Hanoi Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, will be strengthened to ensure unified implementation.

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