Hanoi average income almost at $6,000

Speaking at the People’s Council on Wednesday, its chairman, Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, said the city had faced difficulties caused by geopolitics and the Covid-19 pandemic, but adopted effective solutions.

The city is expected to exceed five of the 22 targets: economic growth of 8.8% as against a target of 7-7.5%, income per capita of VND142.3 million (US$5,970), against a target of VND139-141 million, gross capital formation growth of 13.8% (10.5%), export growth of 11.9% (5%) and poverty reduction reached 38.8% compared to last year (20%).

The expected average income will be up 11% against 2021’s.

This year the city also submitted to Politburo a plan to develop the capital during this decade, amended the overall master plan for the construction of the city and implementation of the Capital Law and proposed amendments to it.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, Dinh Tien Dung, said the city had achieved “very encouraging” results in all aspects but also has certain shortcomings.

He pointed to the failure to exploit its advantages and potential and mobilize resources for socio-economic development, especially the inability to attract investment in agriculture and high-tech and supporting industries.

Urban planning remains poor, construction violations are commonplace and encroachment and construction on agricultural and forest lands continue and have not been effectively prevented and handled, causing public frustration, he admitted.

Some other problems too have not been resolved such as traffic jams and flooding in some places. The collection and treatment of solid waste and wastewater, especially in some craft villages, is still limited.

Nguyen Phi Thuong, director of the Department of Transport, said the city has 10 million people with seven million vehicles, including one million cars. The number of cars increased by 30 times in the past decade, and now the annual increase is 4-5% but the land available for urban transport is increased by only 0.28%.

Speaking about wastewater treatment, vice chairman of the city people’s committee Duong Duc Tuan, said only 28% is treated while the target is over 50% by 2025.

The target could be achieved if the Yen Xa wastewater treatment plant is completed, he said.

It is expected to become operational by 2025