7 centrally-run cities preliminarily review emulation, Hai Phong leads growth
Da Nang - In the first six months of 2026, Hai Phong recorded GRDP growth of 11.33%, the highest in the Emulation Cluster of 7 centrally-run cities.
On August 7, in Da Nang City, a preliminary conference was held to review the implementation of the emulation agreement for the first 6 months of 2026 of the Emulation Cluster of 7 centrally-run cities, including: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Hue, Can Tho and Dong Nai. Attending the conference were Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan.
At the conference, leaders of 7 cities focused on exchanging solutions to organize the movement, replicate advanced examples and effective models. The conference also awarded prizes for 2025, approved regulations, scoring criteria and re-signed emulation agreements for 2026.
Economic results show the clear resurgence of major cities. Hai Phong leads the Cluster with GRDP growth estimated at 11.33%, attracting more than 3 billion USD of foreign investment capital. Dong Nai increased by 9.81%, maintaining a trade surplus of about 4.2 billion USD; Da Nang increased by 9.52%, welcoming nearly 9.8 million visitors and budget revenue increased by 88.4% compared to the same period.
Ho Chi Minh City achieved a growth rate of 8.55%, total budget revenue of over 470,000 billion VND, attracting nearly 7.5 billion USD of FDI capital. The city also implemented strategic infrastructure projects with a total capital of nearly 520,000 billion VND, creating jobs for more than 81,900 people. Hanoi grew by 8.22%, budget revenue over 411,000 billion VND and 19,000 new businesses were established. Hue increased by 8.33%, welcoming more than 4.3 million visitors; Can Tho increased by about 7.4-7.6%.
A highlight in the emulation movements is the shift from mobilizing activities to solving specific tasks. Ho Chi Minh City promotes data-based management, applying artificial intelligence, increasing the 5G coverage rate to 95%. Da Nang rises 212 places in the global startup ecosystem rankings; Hue maintains the leading group of localities in digital transformation, the local innovation index ranks 5th in the country.
Besides the positive results, the report also pointed out that the discovery, fostering and replication of advanced examples in some places has not been given due attention; propaganda activities are still monotonous, and emulation officials at the grassroots level are mostly part-time.
In the last 6 months of the year, cities determine to continue to improve the mechanism for operating 2-level local governments, promote growth, disburse public investment and administrative reform. Commendation work must strongly focus on grassroots levels, prioritizing workers, farmers and direct workers; ensuring accuracy, publicity, and timeliness, avoiding emulation stopping at just form.
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