Mr. Le Thanh Hai at the online meeting (Photo: SGGP)

Ho Chi Minh City’s Party leader Le Thanh Hai this morning answered many questions from city dwellers about urban management, one of the southern economic hub’s hottest issues. 

Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper held the online dialog at its headquarters, where Mr. Hai and the directors of the departments of Natural Resources and Environment, Construction, Transport and Public Works, Urban Planning and Architecture discussed relative issues with the newspaper’s readers.
 
The first question, raised by a District 2 resident, was whether the city’s infrastructure development would keep track with its growth pace.

Because infrastructure does not meet conditions for the city’s economic growth, city officials must try the best to solve the problem, said Mr. Hai.

Ho Chi Minh City is seeking to become a modern metropolis (Photo: SGGP)

“I think there are three fields to focus on. The first is construction planning. The center area is so populous already, so we need new municipalities nearby. Ho Chi Minh City is joining hands with neighboring provinces such as Binh Duong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Dong Nai and Long An to solve the problem.”

“The second is to locate different sectors appropriately to ensure low traffic of residents. Therefore, nearby municipalities must provide good services in health care, education, trade and other fields.”

“The third is the road system, which is a core problem in Ho Chi Minh City. With Japan’s financial support, leading consulting companies have finished a strategy to develop the road system until 2020. Leaders of the city and the Ministry of Transport have agreed with the strategy and submitted to the Prime Minister for approval,” Mr. Hai said.

In addition, six subways are under way in the southern hub to help solve the traffic problem. Construction will start on the first route next year and the subway system will start servicing by 2013, said the city’s Party Chief.

Ms Tran Thi Kim Huong in Binh Chanh District raised question about the development of the New Thu Thiem Urban Area project on the Thu Thiem peninsula in District 2.

Mr. Hai said work has fallen behind schedule. “We need to focus on three jobs to accelerate the pace: speeding up site clearance, calling for investment effectively and linking the peninsula with inner-city areas. Regarding the third, an immediately task is finish Thu Thiem Bridge this year.”

Special attention is paid to infrastructure development in this morning's online meeting between the city's Party chief and Sai Gon Giai Phong readers. (Photo: SGGP)

Mr Thai Van Tuan in Go Vap asked Mr. Hai about administration solutions for urban development in the future.

The answer is Ho Chi Minh City is working out a development strategy until 2025, when the number of regular residents is forecast at about 10 million. Development must ensure a modern city with many Vietnamese features.

Secondly, Mr. Hai said, is protecting the environment effectively to ensure sustainable development.

He also highlighted the importance of administrative reforms. “Administrative reform measures ensure not only the city’s development but also residents’ legitimate interests.”

“Ho Chi Minh City must build a force of civil servants qualified enough to support the city’s development and serve people. The top purpose in building a civilized and modern city is to ensure a better life for inhabitants,” said the Party leader.

Besides Mr. Hai, the directors of departments also answered questions about traffic, environment, urban planning and architect. For example, Mr. Tran Quang Phuong in charge of transport spoke about plans to expand existing streets or build new ways to further support traffic, as well as plans to keep developing the public transport system.