Party General Secretary To Lam speaks at the Congress (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

In his address, Party General Secretary To Lam urged the Hanoi Party Committee to build a clean, strong, exemplary, action-oriented, and responsible political system. Each cadre and Party member must dare to think, dare to act, and dare to take responsibility for the common good and for the sake of the people.

He stressed that the core of Hanoi’s development vision should be defined by the values of “Civilization – Identity – Creativity”, adding the city should be shaped as a “City of Civilization, Identity, and Creativity,” progressing toward a “modern, sustainable, and globally connected capital” that embodies the intellect and spirit of the times.

Based on that vision, Hanoi should develop three “creative poles”: Heritage - the historical inner-city core and Red River space linked with the Co Loa Citadel; Knowledge - linked to the Vietnam National University and research–education centers; and Technology - from the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park and surrounding innovation zones.

These will serve as the creative axis of the capital, harnessing historical, intellectual, and technological values to make Hanoi a city where the past, present, and future converge.

The Party leader said: “Developing the capital in the new era requires a shift from a “single-core centralized model” to a “multi-core, multi-center structure.” Each urban zone will have a specific mission within the unified whole of the capital. The central core around Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh will serve as the political, cultural, and heritage-preserving center; The northwestern pole, home to the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, will become a hub of technology, education, and research; The southern pole will focus on modern industrial zones, logistics, mechanical engineering, and processing industries; The eastern pole, with its gateway ports, will act as a commercial and service center. Each of these poles will operate as a dynamic satellite, maintaining functional autonomy while remaining closely connected to the broader capital and its surrounding regions—helping Hanoi become a radiating, connective, and leading urban center for both the region and the nation."

The Party General Secretary called for developing Hanoi into a center of science, technology, and innovation, serving as a core engine for regional and national development based on a knowledge-driven economy. He also urged the city to expand its external relations, regional and international integration, and cooperation—strengthening partnerships with major global cities and actively participating in networks of “green, smart, and creative cities.”

Through these efforts, Hanoi will continue to elevate its stature as Vietnam’s exemplary political, cultural, educational, and economic center on the international stage.