The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Central Party Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai, as well as Central Party Committee Members, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, Chairman of the National Assembly Office Mr. Bui Van Cuong, Chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Law Mr. Hoang Thanh Tung, Chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Finance and Budget Mr. Le Quang Manh, Chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Security and National Defense, Lieutenant General Le Tan Toi, Head of the Committee on People’s Aspirations Mr. Duong Thanh Binh, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Mr. Dang Quoc Khanh, and representatives of several National Assembly offices, leaders of ministries and departments, and National Assembly deputies.

On the Can Tho City leaders, the delegation included Central Party Committee Alternate member and Secretary of the City Party Committee Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the City People's Council Mr. Pham Van Hieu, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the City People's Committee Mr. Tran Viet Truong, leaders of the City People's Committee, and various departments and agencies.

In his report to the Chairman of the National Assembly and the delegation, Mr. Tran Viet Truong, Chairman of the City People's Committee, noted that after three years of implementing the resolutions of the city's Party Congress for the 2020-2025 term, significant progress had been made. Notably, 7 out of 20 set targets had been achieved and exceeded, and 11 out of 20 targets had been met in terms of schedule. However, the city had also been affected by the overall economic difficulties, and it was expected that 2 out of 20 targets would be achieved at a lower rate (especially the target for the average annual GRDP growth rate from 2021 to 2023, which was expected to reach 5.59%, falling short of the set target for the term at 7.5-8%. The target for the average GRDP per capita by 2025 was expected to reach approximately 145-160 million VND per person per year, while the current figure was only 94.74 million VND per person per year).

The city was also focusing on developing its master plan for the period from 2021 to 2030, with a vision until 2050. Simultaneously, it was actively improving the effectiveness of implementing the National Target Program for Building New Rural Areas and the New Rural Criteria, the Advanced New Rural Areas, for the 2021-2025 period within the city. To date, 26 out of 36 communes have met the criteria for Advanced New Rural Areas, and 2 communes have met the criteria for Exemplary New Rural Areas. The city aimed to recognize 5 communes as Advanced New Rural Areas and 2 communes as Exemplary New Rural Areas by 2023.

The city also emphasized the development of culture and society in line with economic development, as the foundation for sustainable urban development. Health care for the population received considerable attention, with social security policies implemented rigorously and timely, especially for those who had made contributions to the nation and socially vulnerable groups. Poverty reduction policies and projects were actively executed, with the goal of reducing the city's poverty rate to 0.32%. The city is currently actively preparing for various activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Can Tho City's establishment as a centrally governed city (January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2024).

View at the working session.

Regarding the results of implementing Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the construction and development of Can Tho City by 2030, with a vision until 2045, the city's leaders provided the following information. The City People's Committee is overseeing the execution of 14 tasks, out of which 8 tasks have been completed, 5 tasks are in the process of being organized and executed, and 1 task is under consideration for implementation, which is the Project of the National Innovation Center connecting with Can Tho City Innovation Center.

Concerning the list of 19 projects implemented by the local authorities, the city has updated and expanded it to 25 projects. As of now, 10 projects are in the process of being executed and constructed, 5 projects have received investment decisions from the competent authority, with mid-term public investment capital allocation plans, and these projects are presently undergoing the necessary procedures and seeking project investment approval. Moreover, 8 projects are in the process of finalizing their proposed investment policy and reviewing the investment scale to ensure conditions for effective implementation, and 2 projects are scheduled to be implemented after 2024.

Regarding the implementation of Resolution No. 45/2022/QH15 of the National Assembly on the pilot application of certain special development mechanisms and policies for Can Tho City, the city is currently developing a plan for issuing local government bonds and other forms of borrowing, to be carried out within 2024-2025, to secure additional funding for important city projects. The City People's Committee is also working on implementing measures and drafting a plan to increase local budget revenues, ensuring an increase in budget revenues to exercise autonomy and receive policies in line with the National Assembly's Resolution.

Chairman of the Can Tho City People's Committee, Mr. Tran Viet Truong, presented a summary report during the working session.

The city has also established a task force for policies regarding dredging combined with the recovery of products in the Dinh An - Can Tho waterway. Additionally, it is collaborating with the Ministry of Transport to implement preferential policies and investment support for the dredging and recovery project in the Dinh An - Can Tho waterway. It is expected that in November 2023, the Ministry of Transport will propose to the Government to amend Decree No. 159/2018/NĐ-CP dated November 28, 2018, regulating the management of dredging activities in the seaport waters and inland waterways, moving towards decentralization for local authorities to conduct dredging activities in the seaport waters. The City People's Committee of Can Tho is expected to be granted the authority to organize the implementation of the Dinh An - Can Tho dredging and product recovery project.

The city has also developed a plan to establish a Center for Linking, Producing, Processing, and Marketing agricultural products in the Mekong Delta region at Can Tho. This center is divided into two areas, covering a total of 250 hectares, and has been reviewed by relevant ministries and agencies. The center is expected to be established immediately after the approval of the Can Tho City master plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision until 2050.

City leaders have made it clear that from the beginning of their term, the city has effectively utilized resources from the central government and actively mobilized resources from the budget and ODA loans to enhance investment in the economic and social infrastructure, especially comprehensive transportation infrastructure, internal and regional connectivity, and strengthened collaboration with neighboring regions to promote socio-economic development. In addition, they have initiated programs and projects in various areas related to climate change, water security, and the development of transportation infrastructure, tourism, supply-demand connectivity, investment-trade promotion, climate change adaptation, science and technology development, digital transformation, culture, education, healthcare, more others. These efforts have seen positive developments in both breadth and depth. National defense and security have been maintained, ensuring political stability, order, and social safety. Efforts in building the Party and the development of a clean and robust political system have been a focal point of attention. The activities of the city's National Assembly Delegation and the People's Councils and People's Committees at all levels have seen a continuous enhancement in substance, efficiency, and quality.

Chairman of the National Assembly, Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue, delivered a directive speech.

During his directive speech, Chairman of the National Assembly, Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue, acknowledged and commended the results and achievements that the Party committee, the government, the military, and the people of Can Tho City have accomplished in a context marked by both favorable conditions and challenging circumstances. He pointed out that the reality has been more challenging than anticipated. Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue emphasized the importance of this working session, stating that it was highly beneficial because it touched upon many issues and proposals directly related to various topics that the National Assembly will discuss in its upcoming session.

Chairman of the National Assembly, Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue, recommended that the Can Tho City Party Committee provide clear and direct guidance on the important viewpoints and directions of the Central Government. From this guidance, the city should define overall objectives, key performance indicators, and essential tasks and solutions for the remaining months of 2023 and for the year 2024. Specifically, the city needs to focus on effective leadership and direction for the implementation of Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW dated August 5, 2020, by the Politburo, on the construction and development of Can Tho City by 2030, with a vision until 2045, as well as Resolution 45/2022/QH15 dated January 11, 2022, by the National Assembly, which tests certain special development mechanisms and policies for Can Tho City.

In essence, Chairman of the National Assembly, Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue, expressed his agreement with the opinions and reports presented by the Standing Committee of the Can Tho City Party Committee. He conveyed his desire for Can Tho to expand its new production capabilities and have a more significant impact, especially in the context where some localities in the region are experiencing rapid development. Regarding Can Tho's proposal to the Ministry of Transport regarding continued support for the city's socialization of in-depth research into the dredging and recovery project in the Dinh An waterway, Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue directed the Ministry of Transport and related ministries to maintain their interest and support in this matter.

Chairman of the National Assembly also suggested that Can Tho should conduct a more thorough assessment of the current situation, considering both objective and subjective factors, with a particular focus on the subjective factors. The city should use this evaluation as a basis to actively identify and resolve obstacles and issues within its authority while working in a determined spirit to coordinate with relevant agencies to address any challenges effectively.

In addition, Can Tho should expeditiously complete the documentation and submit it to the government and the Prime Minister for approval of the Can Tho City master plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision until 2050 as soon as possible. Chairman of the National Assembly expressed confidence in the city's Party committee to successfully achieve the goal of transforming Can Tho into an eco-friendly, cultured, modern city that retains the rich cultural essence of the Mekong Delta region.

The Chairman of the National Assembly also noted that the coordination work with central ministries and agencies in the implementation of key projects and initiatives outlined in Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW dated August 5, 2020, by the Politburo, is progressing slowly. The results of experimenting with specific development mechanisms and policies for Can Tho City, as outlined in Resolution 45/2022/QH15 dated January 11, 2022, by the National Assembly, are still modest and haven't provided significant impetus for the city's development. Therefore, he recommended that various central ministries, agencies, and the Mekong Delta Regional Coordinating Council collaborate with Can Tho City to overcome obstacles, thereby promoting socio-economic development that is both legal and effective. The National Assembly will intensify its supervision and oversight in this regard.

On this occasion, Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue witnessed the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PETROVIETNAM) presenting a symbolic support plaque for funding the construction of 100 houses for solidarity to poor, near-poor, and particularly disadvantaged households in need of housing in Can Tho City. The total value of this contribution is 5 billion Vietnamese Dong.