Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and delegates perform the ceremony to announce the operation of the Ministry of Construction's information technology systems. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Construction has consistently ranked first among ministries and sectors for public service provision quality, according to the ministry’s report for this year, which was revealed during a conference on Sunday.

The conference was held in person at the Ministry of Construction (MoC)’s headquarters, with online connections to 34 provinces and cities.

Attendees included Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà, leaders of central committees, ministries and sectors, as well as local leaders.

The MoC thoroughly implemented the Government’s steering motto 'Discipline, responsibility, proactive, timely, streamlined, effective, accelerated, breakthrough', following reality and acting proactively and decisively from the year’s outset.

The ministry has been building a large volume of legal normative documents, with 134 such documents completed or to be completed this year.

The MoC advised the National Assembly (NA) to pass five resolutions on investment policies for five projects, advised the Government to approve 10 other important proposals, notably special investment mechanisms for the North-South high-speed railway, and the ground-breaking of component project No. 1 of the Lào Cai – Hà Nội – Hải Phòng railway.

It completed the full North-South expressway from Cao Bằng to Cà Mau; by the end of this year, it will also complete 3,345km of main expressway lines, 458km of interchanges and access roads, 1,586km of national highways, 1,701km of coastal roads, as well as receiving the first flights at the Long Thành International Airport on December 19.

The ministry met its sectoral growth target of over nine per cent, with economies under its management contributing about 17.23 per cent of national gross domestic product (GDP), adding approximately 1.96 percentage points to national GDP growth; playing a key role in achieving over eight-per-cent national economic growth this year and laying the foundation for double-digit growth targets in subsequent years.

Key tasks

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính assessed the MoC’s recent achievements as: “Perfected institutions, synchronous planning, breakthrough infrastructure, green-digital transformation, streamlined apparatus, internal unity, urban development, rural renewal”.

Identifying causes of both successes and shortcomings, along with lessons learned, the PM noted that next year would hold great significance, hosting the 14th National Party Congress, elections for NA deputies for the 16th tenure, and the first year pursuing double-digit growth targets, propelling the nation into a new era.

Among these, the Party and State continue prioritising one of three strategic breakthroughs: developing synchronous, modern infrastructure, especially transport, technology and “green-digital” transformation infrastructure.

Emphasising that amid the nation’s common tasks, those of the MoC are immensely demanding yet highly honourable, PM Chính urged the sector to implement 'five assurances, six breakthroughs'.

The five assurances are ensuring open institutions; ensuring seamless infrastructure; ensuring smart governance; ensuring common practices; ensuring mutual understanding in cooperation.

He also elaborated on the 'six breakthroughs', as breakthroughs in mindset and vision entail excelling in state management; focusing on strategies, planning, mechanisms, policies, standards, criteria, inspection and supervision tools; enhancing local implementation capacity per the spirit of 'localities decide, localities act, localities take responsibility'.

Breakthroughs in concentrating resources were underscored, to build and complete national key projects, especially pivotal transport ones including the Lào Cai – Hà Nội – Hải Phòng railway, the North-South high-speed railway, Phase 2 of Long Thành International Airport, building boarding schools in border communes and housing for disaster-affected people.

Breakthroughs in science-technology development, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, circular economy, focusing on green transport, planning, smart and sustainable urban development, adapting to climate change and enhancing technical infrastructure quality.

The PM also stressed the need for breakthroughs in social housing development, ensuring one million houses are completed by 2028. Solutions for managing and developing the housing and real estate market transparently, including building and publicising real estate data.

Breakthroughs in transport modes were addressed with the PM urging the ministry to organise competitive, transparent, high-quality transport markets, reduce logistics costs and boost product competitiveness.

Finally, he outlined the need for breakthroughs in addressing shortcomings, especially accelerating public investment disbursement for key projects from early next year, promoting public-private partnerships, boldly applying nominated bidding for capable, reputable, experienced contractors, strengthening state management of construction investment, ensuring quality, progress, safety and efficiency.

The PM directed the MoC to complete reviewing building standards, regulations and conditions for high-speed rail by next month as a basis for technology and investment mode selection; immediately establish a real estate and housing exchange to promote transparent, sustainable market development.

Stressing that synchronous, modern infrastructure development is a strategic, urgent and long-term task to build a solid foundation for rapid, sustainable national growth, the PM said infrastructure must lead in mindset, vision and planning to unlock potential, foster development under the motto “infrastructure paves the way, prosperity endures”.

PM Chính expressed confidence that with new momentum and drive, the entire construction sector would reap new victories, achievements, bolder, stronger, more triumphant, contributing to a prosperous, thriving, civilised, happy nation advancing towards socialism.

Also at the event, Deputy PM Trần Hồng Hà commended the MoC for its remarkable strides.

He said the achievements went beyond mere figures, encompassing millennium-scale projects that marked a powerful transformation in both mindset and action. These results had built a solid foundation, an essential bedrock for the nation to enter a new era – the era of the nation's bold ascent.

The Deputy PM was confident that the MoC would continue to achieve even greater feats in construction and transport, ushering the country into the new year with the highest confidence and hope. — VNS