New Ho Chi Minh City chairman pledges to tackle traffic congestion, flooding

Ho Chi Minh City's new chairman Le Quoc Phong has pledged to focus on tackling traffic congestion, flooding, and environmental pollution while improving residents' quality of life.

In his six-minute speech after being elected chairman of the HCMC People's Committee on Thursday morning, Phong identified addressing four major issues assigned by General Secretary and State President To Lam as key priorities: traffic congestion, flooding, environmental pollution, and building a drug-free city.

The new chairman stated he would focus on implementing the city's master plan through 2050, with a 100-year vision.

This includes developing a green, clean, and attractive urban environment, alongside improving cultural, educational, and healthcare services to elevate the overall quality of life for residents.

"These are the tasks on which the HCMC People's Committee chairman will devote his time and efforts to finding effective solutions, ensuring swift implementation, and achieving positive results," he said.

New Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Chairman Le Quoc Phong. Photo courtesy of HCMC People's Council

Phong replaces Nguyen Van Duoc after receiving unanimous support from all 112 delegates present at the meeting.

The 48-year-old previously served as first secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and secretary of the Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee. Before his election as city chairman, he was the standing deputy secretary of the HCMC's Party Committee.

Phong highlighted several advantages driving the city's development. These include preferential mechanisms and policies, a competitive workforce, and the dynamic, innovative traditions of the localities recently merged to form the expanded municipality, specifically the former Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces.

The results achieved in the first year of the current term provide a foundation for the municipal administration to continue its work.

The goal is to turn HCMC into a leading growth engine for the region and a major contributor to the national economy, despite ongoing difficulties and challenges.

Beyond addressing urban problems, Phong identified other key tasks, such as translating development strategies into concrete plans.

He emphasized building a growth model based on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, while pledging to maintain double-digit economic growth throughout his term.

He committed to working with the municipal administration to maintain unity, discipline, and order. He also promised to listen to feedback and proposals from residents, businesses, scientists, and intellectuals to mobilize resources for development.

At the meeting, HCMC Party Committee Secretary Tran Luu Quang stated the city faced a massive workload as its development space and administrative scale expanded alongside the introduction of new policy mechanisms.

The primary priority following the leadership transition is to ensure continuity and keep the administrative apparatus operating smoothly.

"The leadership transition must not slow down work," Quang stressed.

Ongoing projects must be accelerated, issues that have already received policy approval must be addressed, and matters awaiting resolution by residents and businesses must not face further delays.

Quang noted that Phong brings experience from both central and local levels, having demonstrated responsiveness and determination as standing deputy secretary of the municipal Party Committee. He expressed confidence that the new chairman would improve the effectiveness of policy implementation.

In the immediate term, the city must implement its master plan and the Law on Urban Development using new policy mechanisms. Other immediate tasks include accelerating major infrastructure projects, addressing traffic problems, upgrading urban areas, and improving the environment.

Party Committee Secretary Tran Luu Quang (C) presents flowers to the new city chairman Le Quoc Phong (R), and the former chairman Nguyen Van Duoc. Photo courtesy of HCMC People's Council

Additional priorities include developing science and technology, promoting innovation, establishing an international financial center, and creating new growth drivers.

The city Party chief urged Phong to quickly take charge and work with the municipal administration to identify priority tasks. He advised coordinating with government agencies to tackle difficult and long-standing issues.

Administrative performance must translate into tangible improvements visible to residents and businesses, Quang added.

Following the regional merger, HCMC now has a population of more than 14 million and an economy worth over US$120 billion, accounting for approximately 23% of Vietnam's GDP.

The city aims to rank among the world's 100 leading cities by 2030, establishing itself as a modern urban center and a regional hub for innovation.

The new chairman takes office as the city intensifies efforts to meet its economic targets for the year. Gross regional domestic product (GRDP) grew by 9.06% in the first nine months. To achieve the full-year target of 10.2%, growth must exceed 13% in the final quarter.

State budget revenue reached nearly VND762 trillion (US$29 billion) in the first 10 months. To meet its VND1 quadrillion target, the city must collect more than VND238 trillion over the final two months, averaging over VND3.9 trillion per day.