HÀ NỘI — The northern port city of Hải Phòng has, for the first time, topped the 2024 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) with a score of 74.84, marking a significant milestone in its economic governance journey.

The PCI 2024 results were officially announced by the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) at a ceremony held in Hà Nội on Tuesday.

According to VCCI Chaảiman, Phạm Tấn Công, Hải Phòng’s rise to the top reflects its consistent efforts to improve the local business climate through key reforms such as streamlining administrative procedures and promoting investment.

Joining Hải Phòng in the top five were Quảng Ninh (73.20 points), Long An (72.64), Bắc Giang (71.24), and Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu (71.17).

This year’s top 30 also featured other notable provinces and cities including Thừa Thiên Huế, Hậu Giang, Phú Thọ, Đồng Tháp, Hưng Yên, Cần Thơ, Bến Tre, and Ninh Thuận.

Hưng Yên also entered the top 10 for the first time.

The release of the 2024 PCI marks 20 years since the index was first introduced, with the goal of fostering a transparent, business-friendly, and competitive environment across Việt Nam.

The 2024 report is based on feedback from nearly 11,000 domestic and foreign enterprises, offering a comprehensive overview of provincial economic governance and business sentiment nationwide.

This year’s PCI continues to highlight reform efforts at the local level, while also addressing the challenges businesses face. Notably, the 2024 edition expands its scope to include assessments on environmental governance and green investment promotion - key indicators as localities move toward sustainable development and green growth.

Công also said that PCI 2024 would be the final edition to evaluate all 63 provinces and cities in their current form, ahead of the upcoming administrative restructuring outlined in the Party Central Committee’s Resolution No 60-NQ/TW, which takes effect in 2025.

He added that as provinces merge and local governance becomes more complex, maintaining and enhancing economic management quality will be critical. In this context, the PCI will remain an essential tool, offering data-driven insights to guide smooth, efficient and balanced regional development during the transition.

Last year, the 2023 PCI – announced in April 2024 – ranked Quảng Ninh, Long An, Hải Phòng, Bắc Giang and Đồng Tháp among the top five performers in economic governance. — VNS