Many of the decisions and actions taken by the local government during this time have brought prosperity, happiness, peace, and hope to every individual, family, and the community.
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| Hue – a city of peace. Photo: Dinh Hoang |
Subsequent to the complete liberation of the South and the reunification of the country on April 30, 1975, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 245 on September 20, 1975, which merged the provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Trị, and Thua Thien, along with the Vinh Linh area, to form the new province of Binh Tri Thien.
Binh Trị Thien, as a frontline area, bore the heavy toll of the war. After liberation, the province’s first task was to focus on rebuilding the government, addressing the aftermath of the war, stabilizing society, and improving the people's lives. At that time, the infrastructure was destroyed; the poverty rate was very high; the country was under blockade and sanctions, and had to fight two border defense wars. The majority of the people had insufficient food, clothes, blankets, no schools to attend, and lived in straw huts with dirt walls... in dire poverty and hardship.
To surmount difficulties, the province focused on restoring industrial and handicraft production establishments; establishing and developing agricultural cooperatives and various types of industries; building irrigation works to serve production; and mobilizing everyone to produce in order to combat hunger.
Many families were relocated to "new economic zones," from the lowlands to the mountainous districts within the province, to southern provinces, and to the Central Highlands, where fertile land was available for reclamation, cultivation, production development, or for working as laborers in state-owned agricultural and forestry enterprises to improve their living conditions. The reconstruction, social stabilization, and improvement of living conditions were carried out with determination, urgency, and great effort.
Provincial re-establishment with a focus on infrastructure investment, socioeconomic development, and better livelihoods.
After nearly 14 years as a unified province, on June 30, 1989, the National Assembly passed a resolution to divide Binh Tri Thien into three provinces: Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien Hue. On July 1, 1989, Thua Thien Hue was officially re-established. This marked the start of the country's Đoi Moi (Renovation) era, initiated and led by the Party.
Hue continued to prioritize investment in infrastructure, economic development, job creation, and improving living standards. Several multi-purpose irrigation projects have been implemented, including the Tay Hung system (channeling water from Sia Township to Quang Loi and Quang Thai), the Truoi Reservoir (providing gravity-fed irrigation for over 8,200 hectares of rice), the Cua Lac dam (serving more than 5,200 hectares), the Thao Long Dam, the Tay–Nam Huong Tra Irrigation system, and the east–west dyke network along the Tam Giang–Cau Hai Lagoon, alongside many pumping stations and irrigation and drainage canals. These projects have enabled more proactive water management in agricultural production.
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| Hue City's central urban zone. Photo: Hoang Le |
In accordance with Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW, dated April 5, 1988, by the Politburo, the allocation of rice fields to farmers was enacted, alongside the introduction of high-yield rice varieties. Many areas transitioned from single-crop to double-crop rice farming, and improvements were made in pest forecasting and control techniques. These efforts spurred rapid agricultural development and boosted food production. The local population overcame previous food shortages and hunger. Ethnic minorities in the mountainous districts of Nam Dong and A Luoi were trained in wet rice cultivation. Meanwhile, aquaculture in the lagoon areas expanded rapidly, and multiple years of bountiful harvests led to improved income and living standards across the region.
The policy of developing a multi-sector economy has unleashed the productive forces of the people. Private enterprises have emerged across various sectors, particularly in tourism, following the recognition of the Complex of Imperial Monuments of Hue as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
Hue has seen a steady increase in tourists, while its industrial and handicraft sectors have surged. Many factories, such as Hue Beer, Song Huong Refrigeration, Hue Textile and Garment, and Luksvaxi Cement, have been established. The creation of industrial zones and clusters has attracted a significant number of businesses, fostering job creation, income generation, and improvements in living standards. Today, industry has become a key driver of economic growth and a significant contributor to the city's budget revenue. ok
Significant investments have been made in infrastructure across various sectors, including the construction of bridges over Tam Giang Lagoon, Huong, Bo, and O Lau rivers. Key transportation routes to the mountainous districts of Nam Dong and A Luoi, as well as to coastal and lagoon regions, have been developed. These infrastructure upgrades have addressed regional isolation, poor road conditions, and hazardous ferry terminals, such as those at Ca Cut, Thuan An, Da Bac, and Ha Lang, ending transportation difficulties in these areas.
Many resources, along with the efforts of the people, have been mobilized to bring electricity to rural areas, illuminating villages across the region. Today, electricity is available in rural areas, with every household utilizing it for both production and daily life. The development of appliances for entertainment, air conditioning, and heating has rapidly advanced. In parallel, significant investments have been made in the infrastructure for the clean water supply. As a result, nearly 100% of Hue’s population now has access to grid electricity and clean water. This achievement marks a major milestone for Hue, 50 years after its liberation.
Many schools, hospitals, medical stations, and cultural and sports facilities have received widespread investment across the region. Currently, nearly 90% of schools meet national standards; all communes and wards have two-storey medical stations. Several hospitals in Hue have become leading centers for specialized healthcare, education, and training in Vietnam.
Social welfare, poverty reduction, and efforts to improve people’s lives have received special attention. The province promptly supported residents in overcoming hardships and recovering from the historic flood in 1999. In 2004, to commemorate 35 years since the ethnic minorities of Thua Thien Hue adopted President Ho Chi Minh’s surname, a province-wide fundraising campaign was launched to replace all makeshift shelters in A Luoi with permanent homes.
Since then, thousands of poor, near-poor, and policy beneficiary households have received support to build or renovate their homes. The province relocated all boat-dwelling families, who had lived for generations on rivers and lagoons, to onshore resettlement areas. Thousands of households along the Perfume River, Thuong Thanh (Upper Citadel Wall), Eo Bau (Outer Moat Settlement), Ho Thanh Hao (Protective Moat Surrounding the Citadel), etc., were also moved to stable residential zones. These historic relocation efforts transformed the lives of thousands of families. Today, the poverty rate in the city stands at just 1.41%.
Developing a smart, eco-friendly city rich in heritage, culture, and landscape
The designation of Hue as a centrally governed city marks a significant milestone, reflecting the tireless efforts of generations of leaders, officials, and the people of the province. Building on past achievements, Hue is focusing its efforts and resources on advancing its development to match its status. The city is striving to transform its comparative advantages into key development resources. This includes positioning Hue as the Festival City of Vietnam and the region, a culinary capital, a capital of Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional dress), as well as a center for specialized healthcare, education, and research and technology at the national and regional levels.
Hue has placed significant emphasis on the restoration and conservation of its cultural heritage to develop cultural industries and a heritage-driven economy. The city’s landscape and urban areas have received investment and revitalization, creating spacious and tranquil environments for both locals and tourists. Hue is focusing on expanding sectors where it holds a competitive edge, including culture, tourism, healthcare, education, and science and technology.
Key infrastructure projects, including Phu Bai International Airport, Chan May Deep-Water Port, and various industrial and economic zones, are driving Hue’s rapid economic growth in the coming years. Having emerged from a period of hardship, the city’s residents now enjoy a significantly improved quality of life. The number of visitors to Hue is on the rise, and the local population remains confident in the city’s bright and prosperous future.
The 50th anniversary of Hue's liberation serves as an opportunity for us to reflect on the achievements and hardships experienced by its people. With these accomplishments, we are confident in a brighter future for Hue. The city is striving to become a land of prosperity, peace, and happiness for its people.