In 2021, despite the negative impacts of COVID-19, the city upheld the high sense of consensus, decisiveness and creativity to overcome difficulties and challenges. Given its constant efforts, the city achieved many encouraging results in its socio-economic development, thereby creating a premise to well implement the goals and tasks set for 2022.

Here are the most noteworthy events in 2021 voted by the DA NANG Newspaper.

1. Successfully organising the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly (NA) and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure

Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Da NangParty Committee Nguyen Van Quang casts his ballots on the Election Day at polling station No. 1, Thach Thang Ward, Hai Chau District. Photo: NGOC PHU

The elections for the 15^th National Assembly (NA) and People's Council at all levels for the 2021-2026 tenure took place on May 23, 2021 with great success. Six most deserving candidates were elected to the 15^th NA whilst 52 sought berths in the People's Council at all levels for the 2021-2026 tenure.

Noticeably, 749,647 out of 750,418 voters in Da Nang cast their ballots on the Election Day, May 23, reaching the turnout rate of 99.9%, the highest ever figure recorded in the city, said the municipal Election Commission.

Amid the complex developments of COVID-19, strictest safety measures against COVID-19 were put in place in order to make sure that the elections were conducted smoothly in a democratic manner. Local voters realised their responsibility for building the socialist rule-of-law state, and shown their trust in the leadership of the Party and the State.

2. Many drastic and creative solutions in fight against COVID-19

2021 saw Da Nang continue to take drastic, creative and timely solutions to contain COVID-19 in line with the spirit, viewpoints, guidelines and direction of the Politburo, Secretariat, national government, Prime Minister, Ministry of Health and other national ministries and agencies. Thanks to this, the coronavirus resurgence in the city was basically put under control.

The city is now implementing safe, flexible and effective adaptation solutions to effectively control COVID-19 in tandem with fostering socio-economic recovery and development.

COVID-19 vaccines are administered to 14,300 local people at the Tien Son Sports Arena, Da Nang from September 6 - 11. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

3. Piloting urban governance model

On July 1, 2021, Da Nang started implementing Resolution No. 119/2020/QH14 of the NA on piloting the organization of urban governance model and a number of mechanisms and policies for the city’s development.

In detail, there are municipal People’s Committee and People's Council.
there are no longer be any ward and district -level People’s Councils in Da Nang It means that instead of having both a People’s Committee and a People’s Council, each district and each ward are governed only by the ward and district -level People’s Committee.

The municipal People’s Committee promulgates regulations on decentralization, decentralization and authorization of State management according to the model of urban government in the city in a number of areas: investment management, land use, finance, budget, organization apparatus, judiciary and civil status.

The handling of administrative procedures the ‘One-stop-shop’ department of the Da Nang Administration Center. Photo: TRONG HUY

4. Announcement of decrees and decisions of the Prime Minister on Da Nang development

On March 29, the Da Nang government officially announced the Prime Minister-approved adjustments to the master plan for Da Nang’s major developments by 2030, with a vision towards 2045; a decree adopted by Viet Nam's national government on implementing the National Assembly's Resolution No. 119/2020/QH14 dated 19 June, 2020 on the pilot organisation of the urban governance model in Da Nang; the regulations on the order and procedures for local adjustments to the Da Nang’s general planning, the Prime Minister-approved Decision No. 435/QD-TTg dated March 25, 2021 on the development of the shared infrastructure worth more than VND3,400 billion at the Lien Chieu Port; the development of the project for building Da Nang into a ASEAN regional financial centre and the formulation of the Da Nang Master Plan for  the 2021 - 2030 period, with a vision towards 2050.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung (second from right) hands over decrees and decisions of the national government and the Prime Minister on the Da Nang development to Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang (second, left), municipal Party Committee Standing Deputy Secretary cum municipal People's Council Chairman Luong Nguyen Minh Triet (left, first) and municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary cum municipal People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh, on March 29, 2021, Photo: TRIEU TUNG

5. Ensuring social welfare

In 2021, Da Nang paid special heed to ensuring social welfare work, especially those financially affected by COVID-19. Supportive policies for the city dwellers and those joining COVID-19 prevention and control missions across the city were implemented in a prompt and transparent manner.

In detail, 50,651 social policy, poverty-stricken families and people who gave meritorious services to the national revolution across the city accessed a total of over VND25 billion in aid from the municipal budget, with each receiving VND500,000.

Also, a total amount of over VND71 billion funded by the municipal budget went to local residents amid the financially tough times triggered by the COVID-19 wave.

Besides, 29,054 people who are members of the authorities of local residential groups apartment complexes and villages performing their COVID-19 prevention and control tasks received one-time support of VND1 million per person.

Preschool children and students of public and private schools across city were exempt from tuition fees. The city's total funding for COVID-19 prevention and control activities and support for those facing difficulties due to the pandemic totalled VND2,590 billion.

The Da Nang chapter of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front allocates 200 gifts donated by the Da Nang Golf Association to Cam Le poor and disadvantaged households. Photo: NGUYEN QUANG

6. Economy sector gradually recovers and regains growth

Due to the heavy influence of COVID-19, the Da Nang economy in 2021 gradually recovered.

Specifically, the growth rate of the city’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) in 2021 increased by 0.18% as compared to 2020. The export value climbed by 16.9% as compared to the same period last year to hit US$ 1,835 million, in which, the software export turnover reached US$ 98.5 million, up 6.3%.

The total State budget collection in Da Nang reached VND21,815billion, representing 100.2% the year’s estimates. In detail, domestic revenue was VND 16,693 billion, equivalent to 91.76% over the previous year while taxes on imports and exports was VND 5,105 billion, up 43.8% over the same period last year.

Production activities are observed at the Daiwa Vietnam Co., Ltd. located in the Hoa Khanh Industrial Park, Lien Chieu District. Photo: KHANH HOA.

7. ‘Business Dialogue’

The ‘Business Dialogue’, which aimed to handle some issues of deep concern to the city-based businesses and seek more effective ways to drive their growth, took place on September 24, 2021.

The conference was held in both face-to-face and online formats, running the morning and afternoon sessions. It saw the participation of 150 delegates/session at the in-person event, whilst over 200 participants joined online.

In 2021, the municipal administration granted investment policy decisions to 22 new domestically-invested projects with a total registered investment capital of VND 4,668.4 billion, and investment licences to 34 FDI projects with total registered investment capital of US$149.5 million.

Engineers working at the SMT high-tech electronics manufacturing and assembly factory (Trungnam EMS) located in the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park. Photo: NGUYEN DANG KHIEM

8. Work started on many motivational and key projects

In 2021, the city accelerated the construction of many key and motivational projects. Included were the first stage of the Da Nang Software Park No. 2, the first stage of the Hoa Lien Water Plant, the first stage of the Software Park No. 2 construction project, the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park, the APEC Park expansion, the traffic infrastructure project at western end of the Tran Thi Ly Bridge, the renovation of DT 601 road, the Tuyen Son - Tuy Loan riverside road, the water environment improvement ​​in the east of Son Tra District, the construction of the wastewater collection project along Nguyen Tat Thanh coastal route, the west ring road, the upgrade of the Ngo Quyen - Ngu Hanh Son route, and the Da Nang University Village Project.

Also, some key projects were put into use, such as a bridge spanning the Co Co River, and new headquarters of the Da Nang Delegation of National Assembly (NA) Deputies and the municipal People’s Council.

In addition, the city government closely cooperated with national ministries and branches to accelerate the implementation of such projects as the Lien Chieu Port, the T1 passenger terminal expansion project at Da Nang International Airport, the railway station relocation, and adjusting the expansion of the Da Nang International Airport over the 2021- 2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

The city leaders cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the approach roads and bridge across the Co Co River. Photo: THANH LAN

9. Boosting development of culture sector

In 2021, the city paid special attention to building and repairing many large-scale and dynamic cultural projects.

Specially mentioned were the renovation and upgrading of the existing headquarters of the municipal People’s Council at 42 Bach Dang into the Museum of Da Nang, the Dien Hai Citadel restoration and embellishment, and the Hai Van Gate restoration and embellishment.

Also, importance was attached to conserving and promoting cultural heritage values. In particular, a ceremony took place in Da Nang to officially mark the handover of a certificate recognising the Cham relic site nestled in Phong Le Village, Hoa Tho Dong Ward, Cam Le District, as a municipal-level historical relic site.

The APEC Park expansion project is expected to create a highlight of the architectural space in the west of the Dragon Bridge, thereby meeting the needs for the cultural and entertainment space from local residents and tourists. Photo: XUAN SON

10. Da Nang tops ICT rankings for 12^th consecutive year

Da Nang secured its top position in the Viet Nam ICT Index 2020, the rankings on the readiness for information and communications technology (ICT) development and applications. This is the 12^th consecutive year that the city has taken the lead in the rankings.

Also, the city topped the Digital Transformation Index (DTI) rankings in 2020 at provincial and city levels in all three key pillars of digital government, digital economy and digital society.

Da Nang is honoured with the Viet Nam Smart City Award 2021 for the second time.

Da Nang is one of the top five Vietnamese localities across the whole Viet Nam, coming in at fifth place in the 2020 PCI rankings.

Moreover, the city is one of the 11 honourees in the category of Excellent Digital Transformation State Agencies and Non-business Units at the Viet Nam Digital Awards 2021-VDA for its Shared Data Warehouse.

Da Nang topped the Digital Transformation Index (DTI) rankings in 2020 at provincial and city levels in all three key pillars of digital government, digital economy and digital society

Reporting by DNO - Reporting by ANH THU - MAI DUNG