On January 9, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a national conference on accelerating public investment for 2025 and 2026, connecting online from the Government headquarters to localities nationwide.

Reporting at the conference, Nguyen Xuan Sang, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Finance, said the city has identified public investment disbursement as a core political task and a key driver of economic growth.

From the start of the year, Hanoi acted with strong determination by issuing plans and directives, clearly defining roadmaps and responsibilities for each investor and project. As a result, public investment disbursement in 2025 reached the highest absolute value in the city's history.

By December 31, 2025, cumulative disbursement exceeded VND89 trillion (US$3.4 billion), equal to 106.8% of the plan assigned by the Prime Minister and 86.2% of the city's plan.

By January 9, 2026, disbursement surpassed VND90 trillion ($3.4 billion), equivalent to 107.9% of the Prime Minister's plan and 87.1% of the city's plan. By January 31, 2026, it is expected to reach about 117.7% of the Prime Minister's plan and 95% of the city's plan.

During the year, Hanoi launched numerous large and important projects, both public and private, to promote economic development in the capital and surrounding regions.

In addition to starting two major projects, the Red River Landscape Boulevard and the Olympic Sports Urban Area, the city strongly directed and implemented key backbone infrastructure projects, including major bridges such as Van Phuc, Ngoc Hoi, Thuong Cat and Tran Hung Dao, as well as Urban Railway Line No. 5 from Van Cao to Hoa Lac.

Five key lessons learned

From practical implementation in 2025, Hanoi drew five key lessons to accelerate public investment disbursement.

First, the city exercised strong direction and management of public investment plans from the beginning of the year. Hanoi issued detailed disbursement plans for each project and investor, held regular progress meetings and applied a "green lane" mechanism for large and strategic projects.

Second, the city focused on resolving major bottlenecks and difficulties, especially in land clearance. In 2025, Hanoi successfully completed land clearance for the long-delayed Ring Road 1 project.

Third, Hanoi decisively implemented major central government policies, including the two-tier local government restructuring, special mechanisms under the Capital Law and National Assembly Resolution No. 258/2025 on piloting special mechanisms for major projects, as well as Resolution No. 188/2025 on special policies for developing the urban railway network.

Fourth, the city promoted decentralization and delegation to commune and ward levels to enhance initiative and accountability.

Under the two-tier model, Hanoi transferred full authority over investment decisions, project adjustments and final accounts to commune-level authorities for projects previously approved at district-level.

Fifth, the capital flexibly managed public investment capital, ensuring timely and sufficient allocation while firmly reallocating funds from slow-disbursing projects to more effective ones.

According to Sang, 2026, as the first year of the 2026–2030 medium-term plan, will see Hanoi continue to treat public investment disbursement as a key growth driver, with the goal of achieving double-digit GRDP growth.

The city's 2026 capital plan totals VND126 trillion ($4.8 billion), with detailed allocation already completed in line with central guidance.

Strong focus on implementation

To achieve 100% disbursement, Hanoi will resolutely apply effective solutions and lessons from 2025, including issuing a 2026 public investment acceleration plan.

The city will require monthly progress and disbursement reports for each project, clearly linking responsibility to officials and leaders.

Local authorities will focus on on-site problem solving, especially in land clearance, promote decentralization, streamline administrative procedures and manage capital flexibly and efficiently.

Hanoi will also continue reviewing and applying lessons from land clearance for Ring Roads 1 and 4, use special mechanisms under Resolution 258/2025/QH15 and study unified compensation frameworks for major projects.

The city will promptly announce monthly construction material prices in line with market levels, strengthen forecasting of supply and price fluctuations and address issues related to materials, labor and equipment.

City agencies will further enhance the effectiveness of task forces addressing public investment disbursement challenges, land clearance policies, material price volatility and difficulties in fixed-price contracts affected by delays and cost increases.