At the ceremony, deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong highlighted the city’s achievements in national construction and development over recent times and its contributions to the development of the key northern economic zone.

The deputy PM asked Hai Duong city to maintain its sustainable socio-economic development and concentrate on its urban planning in order to strengthen urban management and environmental protection.

Mr Trong added that the Party committee and the city’s people should speed up the campaign “ Study and work following Uncle Ho’s example”, fight against corruption and waste, build a transparent Party, promote the strength of national unity, and boost socio-economic development rapidly and sustainably.

Speaking at the ceremony, Pham The Tap, secretary of the Hai Duong city party committee emphasised that becoming a second-tier city is a milestone in the city’s development. In future, the city will continue to fully tap into all its available resources and develop urban infrastructure and welfare projects.