The capital city’s GDP growth in the second half of the year is approximately 6.7 percent, bringing per capita income for 2009 to VND32 million ($1,880).

The service sector grew 7.4 percent this year, exceeding that of industry and construction for the first time.

Reporting to the Hanoi Party Committee on November 25, Hanoi’s vice chairperson Phi Thai Binh said that in the two last quarters of the year, Hanoi’s gross domestic product (GDP) increased 8.3 and 9 percent, respectively.

Binh said these are spectacular results, which helped bring the city’s yearly GDP up by 6.7 percent compared to 2008, higher than the yearly target of 6 percent. Accordingly, Hanoi’s per capita income reached 32 million dong or around $1880.

Hanoi expects to reach 9-10 percent of GDP growth rate or higher next year and have a per capita income of over 36 million dong.

The vice chairman said that the capital city’s social, cultural and security sectors also enjoyed good results in 2009.

Officials of Hanoi’s districts also expressed satisfaction. Le Van Hoat, party secretary of Me Linh district said the service sector grew 7.4 percent this year, exceeding that of industry and construction for the first time.

However, Hoat worries about planning management in urbanized areas of Hanoi. “If we don’t manage construction planning well, Hanoi will face a lot of problems,” Hoat said.

Some officials were not satisfied with administrative reforms, hygiene and environment in the city.

Hanoi’s vice chairman Phi Thai Binh admitted that the city still faces problems in land management, urban order and environment.

PV