Nguyễn Thanh Nghị calls for priority development of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City growth poles

Vietnam should give priority to its two biggest growth poles, the metropolitan regions of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyễn Thanh Nghị said at a national conference on Sept. 3.

Nghị, a Politburo member, secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission, presented the main points of Politburo Resolution 27, issued on Aug. 28, 2026. The resolution sets out a new approach to regional development and the organization of national development space.

He said regional development would serve as a way to organize national growth, redistribute resources and improve competitiveness. Vietnam should shift from relying mainly on existing resources toward creating, guiding, unlocking and activating all available resources. Domestic strength would remain the foundation, while external resources would be combined effectively to support fast and sustainable development and a more self-reliant, resilient economy.

The resolution calls for a unified reorganization of national development space based on the role, position, functions, advantages, identity and development mission of each region. It emphasizes stronger links among regions, growth areas, economic poles, corridors, urban chains and economic centers, while seeking to overcome fragmented local thinking, dispersed development and duplication.

One breakthrough priority is a stronger and more practical system for regional coordination. Planning, investment, infrastructure, data and resource allocation should operate in a coordinated and connected way, with responsibilities clearly assigned among agencies and localities and interests balanced between local, regional and national levels.

The resolution sets 22 targets for individual regions by 2030. It also aims to create at least five internationally significant cities by 2045, serving as links to regional and global networks. Nghị said the resolution contains 10 groups of tasks and solutions, with stronger connectivity across land, sea, airspace, underground areas and digital space as a continuing requirement.