Leaders of six centrally-governed cities sign the joint agreement to boost their cooperation.
On March 21, in Hanoi, the Emulation Cluster of six centrally governed cities held a conference to review the implementation of the 2025 emulation agreement and sign the 2026 emulation pact.
Attending from central agencies were Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front's Central Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Central Emulation and Commendation Council; Cao Huy, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs; Pham Huy Giang, Standing member of the Central Emulation and Commendation Council and Head of the Central Emulation and Commendation Board, along with representatives of relevant agencies.
Representing centrally governed cities were Pham Duc An, Party Central Committee member, Vice Secretary of the Danang Party Committee and Chairman of the Danang People's Committee; Nguyen Manh Cuong, alternate member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Standing Board of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee; Vu Tien Phung, member of the Standing Board of the Haiphong Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Haiphong People's Committee; Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diep, Vice Chairwoman of the Cantho People's Committee; and Tran Huu Thuy Giang, Vice Chairwoman of the Hue People's Committee.
Representing Hanoi were Vu Dai Thang, Party Central Committee member, Vice Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee and Chairman of the Hanoi Emulation and Commendation Council; and Duong Duc Tuan, member of the Standing Board of the Hanoi Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee and Vice Chairman of the council.
Also attending were members of the Hanoi Party Committee, leaders of departments, agencies and sectors and members of the Hanoi Emulation and Commendation Council.
Hanoi fully aware of its leading and guiding responsibility
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang emphasized that emulation and commendation serve as a powerful driving force for socio-economic development and national defense and security.
Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang speaks at the meeting.
Despite many challenges in the past year, the six cities demonstrated resilience, innovation and determination, effectively implementing emulation and commendation work.
"As a result, emulation and commendation activities in 2025 achieved encouraging outcomes, with gradual innovation in content, forms and methods," Thang said.
Alongside traditional movements, many thematic emulation initiatives were effectively implemented, creating a new, synchronized and widespread competitive spirit.
These movements mobilized the combined strength of authorities, organizations and residents, contributing to meeting and exceeding socio-economic targets and ensuring national defense and security in 2025.
Thang noted that 2026 is not only a milestone following the success of the 14th National Party Congress but also a pivotal year for the six cities to realize national development aspirations in a new era.
He affirmed that as the capital, Hanoi is fully aware of its responsibility to lead, guide and spread patriotic emulation movements, driven by its thousand-year heritage, innovative spirit and aspiration for growth.
Promoting the effectiveness of the two-tier local government model
At the conference, delegates highlighted that cities in the cluster have effectively implemented patriotic emulation movements launched by the Prime Minister while organizing initiatives tailored to local conditions.
Chairman of the Danang People's Committee Pham Duc An speaks at the meeting.
These efforts have created synergy, helping overcome challenges and promote socio-economic development in each locality and nationwide.
Chairman of the Danang People's Committee Pham Duc An shared that the city has launched emulation campaigns aligned with annual themes, assigning specific targets to each agency and regularly reviewing progress.
In addition to national campaigns, Danang has implemented distinctive local initiatives, generating widespread impact and addressing key challenges.
For 2026, Danang has chosen the theme of effectively implementing the two-tier local government model, leveraging special mechanisms and policies, attracting investment and promoting economic growth alongside social welfare.
The city aims for comprehensive socio-economic targets, including GRDP growth of at least 11%, budget revenue growth exceeding 10% and full disbursement of public investment.
"Each organization and individual must strive to contribute to making Danang a key growth pole of the region and the country," An emphasized.
Vice Chairman of the Haiphong People's Committee Vu Tien Phung noted that 2025 marked a significant milestone as the country entered a new development phase.
For Haiphong, its merger with Hai Duong Province created a new development space of approximately 190 square kilometers with nearly six million residents.
In this context, the city quickly reorganized its apparatus, implemented the two-tier local government model and focused on socio-economic development and national defense tasks.
Emulation and commendation work has been implemented systematically and creatively, contributing to development momentum.
In 2026, Haiphong has adopted the theme "Proactive implementation, maximizing internal resources, attracting external resources and accelerating growth", with key tasks including improving recognition systems and focusing on frontline workers and enterprises.
Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong said that in 2025, the city launched breakthrough emulation movements tied to major political events.
Notable initiatives included the "100 days of efficiency and effectiveness" campaign and innovation-focused movements marking the 50th anniversary of national reunification.
Entering 2026, the first year of a new socio-economic development phase, Ho Chi Minh City expects both opportunities and challenges amid global uncertainties.
The city will continue implementing national emulation campaigns, encouraging initiative, responsibility and breakthrough projects that create new value for society.
Representatives from Haiphong, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City and Cantho speak at the meeting.
At the conference, delegates reviewed emulation evaluation results for 2025.
The cluster proposed awarding the Government's Emulation Flag to Haiphong and Hanoi and Certificates of Merit to Ho Chi Minh City.
As cluster leader for 2026, Vice Chairman Cuong of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee launched the new emulation movement and presented the draft agreement.
The six cities then signed the 2026 emulation pact, demonstrating their commitment to strengthening patriotic movements and achieving socio-economic goals.
Focusing on three key task groups
In his closing remarks, Chairman Thang of the Hanoi People's Committee emphasized that despite challenges, the six cities achieved important results in 2025.
Average GRDP growth reached about 8.82%, higher than the national average of around 8.02%, reaffirming their role as economic engines.
Total budget revenue exceeded VND1.74 quadrillion (US$66 billion), accounting for about 67.7% of national revenue, while mobilizing record levels of social investment.
These results provide a strong foundation for entering the 2026–2030 development phase.
Thang urged cities to build on achievements and effectively implement the 2026 emulation agreement.
First, all six centrally-governed cities must continue implementing emulation movements aligned with each city's theme, while executing central resolutions and promoting production, exports, digital and green economies, alongside cultural and social development and national defense.
Second, Thang asked the six cities to organize commemorative activities for major events in 2026 effectively and economically, while promoting thematic initiatives to create breakthroughs.
Third, all stakeholders must effectively implement the 2022 Law on Emulation and Commendation, improve recognition systems, ensure transparency and promote exemplary models, especially in innovation and digital transformation.
He stressed the importance of honoring frontline workers, small collectives, experts and scientists with outstanding contributions.
"Improving the quality of emulation and commendation will be a key driver for rapid and sustainable development, contributing significantly to national progress," Thang concluded.