Phu My ward – HCM city: Removing obstacles, promoting development

In Phu My Ward, Ho Chi Minh City – formerly part of Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province – with its great potential in marine economy, industry, and tourism, the motto “accompanying businesses” is not just a slogan, but a concrete and consistent action embedded in leadership and governance.

The region has made ongoing efforts to foster a transparent and open business environment, putting businesses at the center of development policies, aiming to jointly resolve bottlenecks and promote sustainable growth.

The Foundation of Development

Former Chairman Nguyen Van Tho once emphasized the importance of candid, even confrontational, dialogue with enterprises. This was a powerful message reflecting the province’s commitment to listening, understanding, and addressing core issues faced by businesses. Regular dialogue between the provincial leaders, departments, and the business community has become a distinctive feature of local governance.

These forums allow provincial authorities to assess business operations and serve as vital channels for companies to present their difficulties, suggestions, and petitions directly. Issues raised range from land clearance, administrative procedures related to land use rights, investment permits, and planning adjustments, to skilled labor shortages and investment incentives.

The local government recognizes that the region’s growth is closely tied to the success of its enterprises. Therefore, proactive interaction and facilitating conditions for businesses are top priorities. The area has aggressively pursued administrative reform, investment climate improvements, and the acceleration of key transport infrastructure projects. The goal is to become a regional hub for international maritime industry, high-end tourism, and logistics – a vision that cannot be realized without business collaboration.

Effective Mechanisms for Feedback

To ensure that all business concerns are heard and addressed in a timely manner, the region has established and operated various feedback channels. One key mechanism is the hotline and dedicated email address that have been publicly shared with the business community and residents.

Since May 2016, the Party Committee and People's Committee of the former Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province officially launched a hotline to receive feedback and recommendations from agencies, businesses, and individuals. All information received through phone and email is logged in a specialized software system. A designated unit quickly forwards reports to relevant authorities and leaders at all levels for prompt action. The hotline operates 24/7 to ensure continuous access.

Regular dialogue sessions are also held not only at the provincial level but also by individual departments and industrial park management boards. During these sessions, businesses can directly present specific concerns, which are then addressed or noted for resolution. This reduces bureaucratic delays, expedites problem-solving, and gives businesses more confidence when investing in the province.

Importantly, the focus is not just on collecting information but also on transparency and accountability. Authorities are obligated to resolve reported issues in a timely manner and respond to the businesses, creating a closed feedback loop that builds trust and reaffirms government commitment.

Tangible Results and Business Confidence

The local government’s efforts to assist businesses have yielded strong results, reflected in impressive socio-economic indicators. Ba Ria – Vung Tau has posted steadily rising GRDP growth, ranking among the leading localities in the country, a testament to the region’s improving and attractive investment environment.

One notable initiative is the establishment of a special task force dedicated to receiving and resolving business and investor grievances. This team has been highly effective in addressing longstanding issues, helping enterprises resume stable operations.

In addition, the province has reviewed and simplified administrative procedures, aiming to reduce processing times by at least 30%. All procedures are now being migrated to digital platforms to enhance transparency and efficiency.

The government also facilitates faster access to investment procedures, bidding, and public fund disbursement. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), numerous incentive policies have been introduced, such as access to preferential credit, digital transformation support, innovation, and competitiveness enhancement.

Crucially, many key business concerns have been heard and resolved – including land clearance, land use certificates, lease conversions, and infrastructure land-use determinations. The government has also accelerated the approval of industrial park planning and 1/500 detailed project plans.

Skilled labor recruitment – a significant challenge for many firms – is also being addressed. The region is exploring solutions to secure labor supply and improve vocational training quality to meet the demands of key industries.

To ensure effective public administration, the local government continues to step up inspections and supervision, aiming to eliminate delays and bottlenecks that hinder business activity.

Trust Built on Action

The positive outcomes are not only visible in growth statistics but also in business satisfaction. The province’s PCI (Provincial Competitiveness Index) consistently ranks among the top nationwide, showing strong business appreciation for the local environment. Its Green Index has also climbed, reflecting a firm commitment to environmentally responsible development.

Ba Ria – Vung Tau identifies private sector development as a core driver of the economy. That’s why its strategy remains centered on people and businesses, with a strong emphasis on innovation, decisive action, and removing hurdles.

In the future, Phu My Ward – Ho Chi Minh City will continue to focus on developing new growth drivers such as marine economy, logistics, deep-water ports, eco-tourism, high-end resorts, and renewable energy. Realizing these goals will require ongoing administrative reform, proactive engagement with strategic investors, and generous policies for high-tech, green industries, and quality services.

The relationship between local authorities and businesses is not just partnership – it is a journey of shared goals, overcoming challenges together, and building lasting value. With these relentless efforts, Ba Ria – Vung Tau is steadily asserting itself as a prime investment destination where businesses can thrive and contribute to the shared prosperity of the region and the nation.