At the beginning of the year, thinking about Da Nang City, I am suddenly filled with the classic slogan: "New Year, New Opportunities." This excitement arises because it feels as though Da Nang is on the threshold of 2025, eagerly awaiting new opportunities that are just around the corner, just like when standing at the threshold of the new year 1997.

Scenery along Han River. Photo: DANG MINH TU

"The strategic gateway of Thuan Quang Region"

At the beginning of 1997, the resolution regarding the division and adjustment of administrative boundaries of several provinces by the 9^th National Assembly brought Da Nang into a new era of development—transforming it into a centrally governed city. As we approach early 2025, Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 from the 15^th National Assembly concerning the organization of urban governance and the pilot implementation of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang will take effect on January 1, 2025. This continues to provide Da Nang with another opportunity for growth—officially establishing urban governance and piloting various specific mechanisms and policies, among which the most anticipated is the establishment of the Da Nang Free Trade Zone.

At the start of the year, thinking about Da Nang city stirs a deep sense of nostalgia for Nguyen Hoang, the Governor of Thuan Quang, as he stood atop Hai Van Pass, gazing southward and out toward the distant sea in the autumn of the year Nham Dan (1602). The historical text Dai Nam thuc luc tien bien still preserves his timeless declaration—a statement that, more than four centuries ago, heralded a new era of opportunity for Da Nang in particular and for the Thuan Quang region as a whole: “This place is the strategic gateway of Thuan Quang.”

More than four hundred years later, history has proven that this century-spanning vision was entirely accurate. When the neighboring Thua Thien Hue Province became Hue City under Resolution No. 175/2024/QH15 from the 15^th National Assembly, effective from January 1, 2025, for the first time in our country, two centrally governed cities will be separated by just one mountain pass. The entire Thuan Quang region—primarily Da Nang and Hue City—will embark together on a new path of development.

Thinking about Da Nang city at the start of the year warms my heart further as I see that thanks to a growing awareness of the truth that to go far, we must go together. These two localities in the "strategic gateway of Thuan Quang" have collaborated to preserve Hai Van Quan, the first national monument jointly managed by both areas, investing in its restoration to soon touch upon its original form from 1826. This serves as compelling evidence that as we stand at the threshold of 2025, we can hope that in the coming years, these two centrally governed cities in Central Vietnam will continue to build on this fruitful cooperative relationship.

Happiness index of the residents

Thinking about Da Nang city at the start of the year, alongside the excitement and enthusiasm, there are still many concerns weighing on my mind. In late December 2024, the Department of Science and Technology organized a review of a city-level research project on the happiness index of Da Nang residents, led by Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Hang Phuong. The results of this study not only provide public policy makers with a scientific basis for developing appropriate policies to enhance the happiness of Da Nang's citizens but also contribute to improving Vietnam's ranking in the annual World Happiness Report by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. What remains a pressing concern is how the responsible and dedicated findings of the research team on the happiness of the people will be effectively applied in the practical development of Da Nang!

Returning to the story of the happiness index of Da Nang's residents, I recall that in 2020, during the 19^th Congress of Yen Bai Provincial Party Committee for the 2020-2025 term, Politburo member and Standing Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Tran Quoc Vuong, emphasized: “For the first time, the Congress in Yen Bai included the happiness index of the people in its report; this is a distinctive feature of Yen Bai.”

Looking at others and thinking about ourselves, we hope that Da Nang will also incorporate the happiness index into the theme of its 23^rd City Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term. This would create a political impetus to promote superior policies aimed at enhancing the happiness index of its citizens. Additionally, I recommend that the Central Executive Committee continue to include the happiness index in the theme of the 14^th National Party Congress.

I also remember that in the mid-October 1945 issue of Cuu quoc Newspaper, in a letter to the People's Committees of various provinces, districts, and villages, President Ho Chi Minh emphasized a point related to the happiness of the people: “If the country is independent but the people do not enjoy the happiness of freedom, then independence is meaningless.” Additionally, from an individual perspective, happiness can certainly be found by a couple living in a thatched hut—a "thatched hut with two golden hearts". However, from a community standpoint, policymakers in Da Nang need to focus on fostering happiness for their local residents by investing resources to improve material living conditions, cultural and social life, and the living environment. They should also identify favorable moments to propose public policies aimed at enhancing the happiness index of Da Nang's citizens, such as on International Day of Happiness, celebrated annually on March 20.

Thinking about Da Nang city at the start of the year, I find myself amidst a national context where the entire country is urgently implementing the high political determination of the 13th Party Central Committee's directives regarding the review of the implementation of Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW from the 12th Party Central Committee. This focuses on continuing to innovate and streamline the organizational structure of the political system to make it leaner and more effective, with a strong political encapsulated in phrases like “running while arranging” and “the Central Government does not wait for provinces, provinces do not wait for districts, and districts do not wait for grassroots”, “the Central Government sets an example, and localities respond”. What needs careful consideration is how Da Nang can optimally assess and allocate personnel to avoid the undesirable situation where capable individuals are overlooked while those selected may not be suitable for their roles.

Reporting by BUI VAN TIENG – Translating by HONG VAN