After 20 years since being awarded the title 'City for Peace' by UNESCO, the municipal Party committee, government and people of Hanoi capital city have constantly made efforts to build Hanoi into a modern city imbued with a rich national identity, preserving the title awarded by UNESCO, proving it worthy of the trust of the Vietnamese people and international friends.
Youth union members of the team of young volunteers supporting Thang Long - Hanoi tourism are introducing the landscape around Hoan Kiem Lake area to international visitors. (Photo: HA THU)
In July 1999, Hanoi was the only city in the Asia-Pacific region to be honoured as 'A City for Peace' by UNESCO. This is the international community's recognition of Hanoi's outstanding achievements in the Vietnam Doi Moi (Renewal) process, as well as the Vietnamese people's aspiration for peace. For the past 20 years, the Hanoi’s Party Committee, authorities and people have continuously promoted the position of the capital of a thousand years of civilization.
Compared with 20 years ago, Hanoi has expanded its land area, with a bigger population, featuring cultural diversity, strong economic type development, and ensured defence and security. The development of urban space according to Hanoi Capital Region Construction Master Plan until 2030 the vision to 2050 approved by the Prime Minister, created a more modern new appearance.
In the past 10 years, the average economic growth rate was 7.41% per year; the city’s gross domestic product (GRDP) in 2017, increased by 1.9 times compared to 2008; per capita income reached US$3,910, 2.3 times higher than in 2008; contributing 19.05% to the total budget revenue, maintaining its role as one of the two economic hubs of the country. In 2018, the city completed and exceeded all 20 socio-economic development targets. Along with economic development, the city focused on ensuring social security and taking care of people's lives. The rate of poor households by the end of 2018 was 1.18%, down 0.5% from the previous year, exceeding the plan and completed two years ahead of the target set for the term. The traditional values of Trang An culture and ‘Xu Doai' culture have been preserved and promoted.
Hanoi’s celebrations of its 20th anniversary of receiving the title “City for Peace” coincides with the 2nd DPRK-US summit
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Hanoi’s UNESCO recognition as a City for Peace, on February 27 and 28, Hanoi was chosen as the venue of the second DPRK-USA Summit. This was an honour and pride of Hanoians in particular and the Vietnamese people in general. Vice President of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organisations Tran Thi Phuong shared that Hanoi was proud to be the venue for the second DPRK-USA summit. It was an opportunity to promote the beautiful image of Vietnam’s landscape and people, a "peaceful" capital to the world. Hanoi meets all the elements of diplomacy, facilities, as well as ensuring security to organise important international conferences. But the most important thing is the friendliness and hospitality of the people, which the countries appreciate. Choosing Hanoi as the venue of the second DPRK-USA Summit shows Hanoi’s great reputation with the international community. It also shows that Hanoi is a positive contributor to regional and world peace and a safe, friendly destination for tourism, investment and world-class diplomacy. Hanoi’s people love peace and are willing to contribute practically to the common peace of the world.
In recent years, Hanoi has been the place where many major international events have taken place such as the 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132), as well as many regional cultural and sporting events. With the coordination between the party committee, government and people of the city with the forces of the Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Defence, many activities and visits of leaders of countries from around the world have taken place successfully in Hanoi, recognised and highly appreciated by international friends.
An Tran