15th anniversary “City for Peace”
VGP - In 2014, Ha Noi will celebrate the 15th anniversary of recognition as “City for Peace”. Ha Noi is the only city in Asia-Pacific that was granted this title for its contribution to the struggle for peace as well as development according to standards of UNESCO regarding equality, urban development, living environment preservation, education and culture development, and education for young generations.
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After 15 years since being recognized as the City for peace, Ha Noi has gained many achievements in the fields of industry, service sectors, trade and agriculture, and become the political, economic, cultural and scientific center of the country.
Ha Noi, capital and center of the country
With special attention of the Government and efforts of city’s authorities and people, Ha Noi has strived for comprehensive development in the past years. In 2008, the city expanded its administrative boundaries to cover an area of 3,344km2 and hence becomes the 17th largest capital in the world by land area. In 2012, the National Assembly issued Capital Law and acknowledged Ha Noi as the country’s political and administrative center as well as a big center of culture, education, science-technology, trade and international exchange.
Moreover, Ha Noi has continued efforts to improve its position on world stage. The city has cooperation relations with over 100 cities and capitals all over the world and attracted 2,790 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with total registered capital of US$ 22.63 billion. In each year, contribution of FDI enterprises makes up nearly 16% of city’s GDP and 35% of export turnover.
Ha Noi is also an official member of international organizations, such as Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC 21), World Association of Major Metropolis, and Historical Cities. The city also is listed in the 2013 top ten attractive travel destinations in Asia.
Cultural quintessence and potentials of the millennial Thang Long – Ha Noi
As the cultural center of Viet Nam, Ha Noi celebrated its millennium birthday anniversary in 2010. The city is proud of its long and rich history, along with many cultural sites recognized as World Culture Heritages, such as Thang Long Royal Citadel and stone steles at Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature).
According to Strategy and Planning for Socio-Economic Development vision to 2050 approved by the Prime Minister, Ha Noi with the long history and great potential of human resources is identified as the center to develop Red River Delta region and northern key economic region. So far, the PM has approved 19 industrial zones and hi-tech zones in Ha Noi. In the last five years, the capital city witnessed a continuous economic growth, which is 1.5 times higher than the national average.
Message of peace
Speaking at the Ha Noi millennium birthday anniversary in 2010, Municipal People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen The Thao conveyed a message about Ha Noi as a thousand-year-old capital city for peace with its elegant citizens, which is striving for further development.
As China put its illegal oil rig in Viet Nam's seas in 2014, Ha Noi in cooperation with central government authorities successfully implemented information work to raise public knowledge of the issue, while still ensuring political security, social order and business environment for foreign investors in the area.
People in Ha Noi particularly and Viet Nam generally will join hands to develop, preserve and promote values of the title “City for Peace” for further development, prosperity and integration.-HNP
