In 2017, Thanh Hoa province gained the encouraging socio-economic achievements, maintained political security and social orders, and improved local people’s income. Among 25 main indicators set in the Resolution of the Provincial People’s Council, 22 indicators reached and exceeded the target. Here are the most 10 outstanding events and highlights in 2017 in the province:

1. The 70th Anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s first visit to Thanh Hoa

On 20th February 2017, the Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Thanh Hoa province celebrated the 70th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s first visit to Thanh Hoa province (20 February 1947 – 20 February 2017). This is an opportunity for the local government and people to express the gratitude to the Uncle Ho’s special attention to Thanh Hoa province, as well as the determination to build Thanh Hoa province to become a model province, as per the wish of the late President.

2. Agreement on the birth year of the name “Thanh Hoa” in 1029

After three scientific conferences regarding the name of “Thanh Hoa”, in the conference on 23rd May 2017, scientists agreed that the name of “Thanh Hoa” as an administrative unit under the management of central government was firstly used in the year of 1029. This event is historically meaningful and remarkably important to the history of Thanh Hoa province, and attributes to multiply the pride of the homeland and tradition by Thanh Hoa local people.

3. Recognition of Sam Son as the Thanh Hoa provincial city

On the occasion of the 110th anniversary festival of Sam Son beach tourism on 19 April 2017, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee issued the Resolution establishing 4 wards of Sam Son township, and upgrading Sam Son as the provincial city of Thanh Hoa province. This is an important event which creates momentum and open up lots of opportunities for Sam Son city to develop into one of the five key coastal tourist cities in Vietnam.

4. Successful organization of the Thanh Hoa 2017 Investment Promotion Conference

This is a national-level investment promotion conference. There are total 32 projects with issuance of investment certificate and investment policy approval, and signing of memorandum of understanding, with total registered capital of 6.3 billion USD - the biggest amount so far. The success of the conference affirms again the big potential and attractiveness of Thanh Hoa province, as well as the determination and efforts of the local government to further improve the provincial investment and business climate.

5. GRDP growth rate reaching 9.08%. 

This is a relatively high growth rate concerning the difficulties and challenges of the Vietnam’s overall economy and the provincial context, particularly the delay of the Nghi Son oil refinery and petrochemical plant’s commercial operation. It is the second consecutive year that Thanh Hoa GRDP growth rate reached the highest in the North Central region of Vietnam.

6. Construction commencement of the coastal road running through Thanh Hoa province

The road is 96.2 km long, with total investment of approx. 7,500 billion VND. It plays an important role to the provincial socio-economic development, national defense and security enhancement, and the disaster and climate resilience improvement in coastal areas of Thanh Hoa province. It also opens up the prospect of coastal tourism development, forming a growth axis linking Sam Son city and Nghi Son economic zone.

7.  About 7 millions of visitors to Thanh Hoa province

The number of visitors and tourism revenue in 2017 increased by 11.5% and 27% respectively in comparison with the year of 2016. In particular, the number of foreign visitors reached 170,000. In addition, the success of charter flight from Thanh Hoa to Bangkok, Thailand opens the new opportunity for the provincial tourism linkage in the coming time.

8. The stability of national defense and security meeting the requirements of the strong, rapid and sustainable development of the province

            Specially, Thanh Hoa province organized successfully the military rehearsal in 2017, secured the safety of major events, the political security and social orders in the province, which facilitated the provincial investment attraction and socio-economic development.

9. Education remaining the leading position nationwide

This is the second consecutive year that the students of Thanh Hoa province won in the International Olympiad Exams, with 01 gold medal, 01 silver medal and 01 merit certificate. Thanh Hoa aslo ranked the first nationwide in terms of the number of students achieving absolute 30 points for three subjects in the 2017 high school exam, which results are considered for both high school graduation and university admissions.

10. Thanh Hoa experiencing the worst flood in the recent 10 years

The heavy rains and severe floods in mid-October, 2017 caused enormous loss of lives and damage to local government and people. Nevertheless, with the timely and actively leadership at all levels, the strong efforts and unity of the social community, the local people could limit the damage, overcome the consequences to stabilize their lives and production.

The detailed indicators are as below:

Summary of socio-economic development indicators in 2017