OVERVIEW OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION IN HAI PHONG CITY IN 2022

In 2022, Hai Phong City carried out socio-economic development in the context of economic and political uncertainties worldwide and complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first few months of the year. Despite challenges and unfavorable global economic environments, the domestic economy remained stable and prosperous in all fields, and the macroeconomy remained stable. The inflation was under control, which accelerated growth. The production in the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sectors was stable and growing. The industry also recovered quickly. Trade and services activities were dynamic in all their sectors. The social and cultural fields were attended to. People’s living standards were improved overall.

For Hai Phong City, from the beginning of the year, following the correct and timely leadership and direction of the Central Committee, the City’s Party Committee, the People's Council, and the City People's Committee directed and implemented proposed tasks and solutions synchronously and thoroughly, especially those to implement the socio-economic recovery and development program according to Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated January 30, 2022, of the Vietnamese Government. With the efforts from authorities at all levels and branches, as well as the consensus and support of the People and the business community, the city's economy achieved outstanding results, remaining a highlight in the national socio-economic development.

1. Economic development

The city's gross regional domestic product (GRDP) at constant prices in 2022 was estimated at 240,104.2 billion VND, up 12.32% over the same period last year (compared to the year-set plan to increase by at least 13%) and ranked 8th in the whole country and 2nd in the Red River Delta. Within the general growth rate, the sectors of agriculture, forestry, and fishery saw an increase of 1.21% (exceeding the target of 1,16%), contributing 0.04 percentage points to the overall growth. The Industry/construction sector went up by 15.55% (compared to the 19,25% target), contributing 8.38 percentage points to the overall growth. The service sector increased by 9.07%, exceeding the set plan of 5.15%, contributing 3.32 percentage points to the overall growth. The taxes less subsidies on products increased by 9.56%, contributing 0.57 percentage points to the overall growth.

In the industry-construction sector, the added value of the industry increased by 16.3%, contributing 7.96 percentage points to the overall growth, in which manufacturing remained a highlight as the main driving force of the economic growth with an increase of 17.61%, contributing 8.01 percentage points to the overall growth. The figure was mainly from the contributions of manufacturing ready-to-wear garments, glass and glass products, computers and computer peripherals, communication equipment, specialized machines, motorcycles and motorbikes, rubber tubes and tires, etc. Besides, several other industries saw decreases in production indexes, such as plywood and veneer, the manufacture of batteries and accumulators, fertilizers and nitrogen compounds, motor vehicles, drugs, pharmaceutical chemicals, and medicinal herbs, etc., lowering the added value of the industry to below that of 2021. The construction sector maintained a good growth rate, increasing by 8.4% and contributing 0.43 points percentage of overall growth.

The service sector recovered after the COVID-19 pandemic with positive results, which was a significant contributor to the city's economic growth. In the last months of the year, the commercial and service activities in the city had seen many changes. The supply of foods essentially sufficed consumers’ demand, and commodity prices remained stable. The city also implemented many packages of promotion, support, consumption stimulation, tourism, transportation, etc.

The service sector saw a 9.07% growth rate, contributing 3.32 percentage points to the overall growth. Some activities with large proportions of positive development included wholesale, retail, and repair of automobiles, motorcycles, and motorbikes with an increase of 7.66%, contributing 0.44 percentage points to the overall growth. Transport and storage rose by 11.15% and contributed 1.82 percentage points. Accommodations and catering services increased by 11.63%, contributing 0.2 percentage points. Financial, banking, and insurance activities increased by 10.11%, contributing 0.2 percentage points, and so on.

In 2022, Hai Phong's economic structure continued to shift in the right direction of industrialization and modernization: of which the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sectors accounted for 3.61%; the industry-construction sector accounted for 53.69%; the services sector accounted for 36.98%; the taxes less subsidies on products accounted for 5.73%.

2. Investment attraction

With many potentials and advantages, plus an open investment and business environment, Hai Phong City can attract many investors, economic groups, and large-scale domestic and foreign enterprises.

In 2022, the whole city had 89 newly granted projects from 13 countries with an investment capital of 1,121.41 million USD, up 220.95% over the same period last year, of which newly registered capitals in industrial zones and economic zones reached 1,003.89 million USD (accounting for 89.52%). The newly registered capitals outside industrial and economic zones also amassed 117.52 million USD (accounting for 10.48%).

The city resumed its focus on attracting high-tech, environmentally friendly, potential, and influential enterprises, attracting domestic enterprises towards developing the three pillars of high-tech industry, seaport - logistics, and trading - tourism.

The city’s attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2022 ranked 4th nationwide, showing that investors were placing great faith in Hai Phong's investment environment, which helped enhance the city's position in the global supply chain.

3. Socio-cultural issues

In 2022, the city’s authorities at all levels handled COVID-19 and heeded promptly to people's lives and social security work. The city also carried out activities concerning propaganda, culture, art, and sports in service of the city's political tasks, socio-economic development, and the people's spiritual life.

The city had fully and promptly implemented social policies, policies for people with meritorious services to the revolution, and synchronous policies and solutions to reduce poverty in a multi-dimensional approach. By the end of 2022, the proportion of poverty households in the city was 0.6%, down 0.2 percentage points compared to 2021. The people's living standard improved gradually as the monthly income per capita in 2022 reached 5,897,800 VND, an increase of 15.8% compared to 2021.

In summary, in 2022, Hai Phong City’s socio-economic development achieved relatively comprehensive results as the economy saw decent growth. The city’s budget revenue exceeded the set plan, the attracted investment capital increased sharply, the market price was stable, inflation was controlled, social security was guaranteed, and the culture, health, and education activities were stable and developed. 

POPULATION

POPULATION, LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT IN 2022

1. Population

The population of Hai Phong in 2022 reached 2,088.0 thousand people, an increase of 15.6 thousand people, equivalent to a year-on-year increase of 0.75%. 951.8 thousand people of the urban population accounted for 45.58%, and 1.136.2 thousand people in the rural area represented 54.42% of the city’s population. The city’s male population was at 1,035,3 thousand people, making up 49.58%, while female inhabitants represented 1,052.7 thousand people, accounting for 50.42% of the city’s population. The city’s average population density was 1,368 people/km, unevenly distributed among the districts. The urbanization rate was rapid, and population density was relatively high in major districts. Le Chan district had the highest population density rate, with 18,726 people/km², 13.7 times higher than the average population density of the whole city.

The gender ratio was 98.35 males to 100 females, with a crude birth rate and crude death rate of 16.3% and 6.4% respectively. The natural population growth rate was 9.9‰.

2. Labor and Employment

In 2022, Hai Phong's labor force aged 15 and older accounted for 49.75% of the population, of which male and female workers took up 52.32% and 47.68%. The labor force in the urban areas accounted for 45.12%, while rural workers made up the remaining 54.88%.

Laborers aged 15 and older working in economic sectors in 2022 accounted for 48.6% of the population. There were 528.8 thousand male workers, an increase of 0.29%, and 486.8 thousand female employees workers, up 0.54% compared to 2021. The unemployment rate of laborers at working age in 2022 was 2.36%, of which the rate in the urban and rural areas was 3.37% and 1.58%. The underemployment rate of the labor force at the working age in 2022 was 1.48%. This index in the urban and rural areas was 2.22% and 0.92%.

NATIONAL ACCOUNTS, STATE BUDGET, AND INSURANCE

1. National Account

In 2022, the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) at current prices reached 365,577.9 billion VND, of which the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sectors accounted for 3.61%, the industry-construction sector accounted for $3.69%, the service sector accounted for 36.98%, GRDP per capita reached 175,083 thousand VND (equivalent to 7,292.1 USD). Gross regional domestic product (GDP) in 2022 (at constant 2010 prices) increased by 12.32% over the same period last year. Of which:

• The added value in the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sectors increased by 1.21%, contributing 0.04 percentage points to the overall growth.

• The added value of the industry and construction sector increased by 15.55% compared to the previous year, contributing 8.38 percentage points to the overall growth.

In the industry-construction sector, the industry had the highest growth rate, increasing by 16.3% over the same period, contributing 7.96 percentage points to the overall increase, of which the main contribution was manufacturing. Construction also grew by 8.4% over the same period in 2021, contributing 0.43 percentage points to the overall growth.

• The added value of the service sector increased by 9.07% over the same period last year, contributing 3.32 percentage points to the overall growth of the city’s GRDP. In 2022, despite many events affecting the city’s tourism development and tourist attractions, trade and service activities in the city were generally stable and grew well.

2. State budget revenue and expenditure

The total state budget revenue in 2022 was estimated at 137,136,1 billion VND, up 14.8% compared to 2021, of which the domestic revenue amassed 38,235.6 billion VND (accounting for 27.9% of the total revenue), an increase of 5.3%. The revenue from customs reached 67,685.1 billion (accounting for 49.3% of total revenue), an increase of 16.9%.

The total local budget expenditure in 2022 was estimated at 56,505.6 billion VND, up 6.5% compared to 2021, of which expenditure to invest in development amassed 14,330.6 billion VND, down 0.33%. Recurrent expenditures cost 13,480.3 billion VND, up 4.9% compared to last year.

3. Insurance

In 2022, Hai Phong had 496.9 thousand people registering for Social Insurance, an increase of 3.6% compared to 2021; there were 1,906.1 thousand people with Health Insurance, up 0.65%, and 453.5 thousand people with Unemployment Insurance, up 3.4%

The city’s total insurance revenue in 2022 reached 12,448 billion VND, up 10% compared to 2021, of which: the Social insurance revenue reached 9,054 billion VND, up 13.1%, accounting for 72.7% of the total insurance revenue: the Health insurance revenue reached 2,939 billion VND, up 6.3%, accounting for 23.6%; the Unemployment insurance revenue reached 455 billion VND, down 15.7%, accounting for 3.7%.

Total spending on insurance in 2022 reached 12,112 billion VND, down 2.06% compared to 2021, of which: the Social insurance expenditure accounted for 80.9% of the total insurance expenditure; the health insurance expenditure accounted for 15.7%; the Unemployment insurance expenditure accounted for 3.4%

INDUSTRY, INVESTMENT AND CONSTRUCTION

1. Industry

In 2022, the index of industrial production increased by 14.41% over the same period last year, of which the manufacturing increased by 15.47% contributing 14.87 percentage points; the water supply, waste, and wastewater treatment increased by 9.31%, contributing 0.07 percentage points to the overall increase: The two industrial activities with the decreased index were the mining with a decrease of 18.34% and the electricity production and distribution sector with a fall of 56% corresponding reduction of 0.04 and 0.34 percentage points on the overall increase

In 2022, a number of fourth-grade industries saw a high production index compared to the previous year and made great contributions to the overall growth of the whole industry sector. Ready-to-wear garment production increased by 43 times; production of glass and glass products tripled. Computers and computer peripherals also saw an increase of 3.8 times over the same last period; communication equipment increased by 44.68%, specialized machinery by 59.11%; motorcycles and motorbikes rose by 51.3%, and production of rubber tubes and tires saw an increase of 46.38%. Some industries showed positive production increases, such as cosmetics, soap, detergent products, processed and preserved marine products, concrete, and products from cement and gypsum increased by 26.7%, 33.82%, and 26.54%, respectively. Some industries saw a single-digit increase, such as animal and poultry feed rising by 4.21%, cement, limestone, and gypsum by 5,69%, production of consumer electronic products by 8.66%, etc.

On the other hand, a number of industries had a decrease in production index. Plywood and veneer decreased; batteries and accumulators, fertilizer and nitrogen compound production, motor vehicle production; mining of stone, sand, gravel, and clay; production of drugs, pharmaceutical chemicals, and medicinal materials all decreased by 62.37%, 30.19%, 26.8%, 29.76%, 20.3%, and 16.92% accordingly. The index of industrial shipment of manufacturing in 2022 increased by 21.85% over the same period last year, including a number of industries with the index of industrial shipment increasing by over 200%, such as the production of ready-made garments with an increase of 4.5 times; production of plastics and synthetic rubber in primary form with 2.8 times; processed and preserved marine products increased by 2.16 times.

Some industries had high growth rates, such as rubber tube and tire production, filled and recycled rubber tires with an increase of 46.14%, or the production of other textiles with a rise of 31.97%. Some industrial sectors increased in consumption, such as concrete production, metal structure production, office machinery, and equipment (except computers), with an increase of 27.16%, 16.27%, and 37.62%, respectively. Some industrial activities saw a growth rate of less than 10%, such as garment sewing by 1.26%; cattle, poultry, and aquatic food by 4.34%; plastic products by 2.75%; toys and games by 6.69%, and cement, lime, and gypsum rose by 6.76%.

Some industries continued to have a sharp decrease in consumption in recent months, such as wood processing, production of fertilizers and nitrogen compounds, drugs, pharmaceutical chemicals, medicinal materials, and woven fabric, decreasing by 63.94%, 29.27%, 15.46%, and 17.69% respectively.

2. Investment and Construction

Total realized investment in 2022 (at current prices) reached 171,374.1 billion VND, up 10.96% compared to 2021. The State’s investments reached 21.619,36 billion VND, accounting for 12.6% of the total realized investment capital, while non-state investments reached 89,590.39 billion VND, accounting for 52.3%, the FDI sector's investment reached 60,164.35 billion VND, accounting for 35.1%.

In 2022, Hai Phong City had 89 newly granted projects from 13 countries with an investment capital of 1,121.41 million USD, up 220.95% over the same period last year. Of which, the capital of newly granted projects in Industrial Parks and Economic Zones (IZs. EZs) reached 1,003.89 million USD (accounting for 89.52%); capital of newly granted projects outside industrial zones and economic zones reached 117.52 million USD (accounting for 10,48%).

In 2022, the completed housing construction floor area reached 690.2 thousand m², an increase of 0.83% compared to 2021, of which the area of apartment houses reached 94 thousand m2, and the area of individual houses reached 596.2 thousand m².

OPERATIONS OF ENTERPRISES AND INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS

1. Enterprises

There were 17.500 enterprises actively operating (with revenue or incurring expenses) in Hai Phong City as of December 31, 2021, a year-on-year increase of 11.2%. 81 of those were State-owned enterprises, accounting for 0.46% and decreasing by 3.6%; 16,812 non-state enterprises accounted for 96.07%, an increase of 11.4%. 607 FDI enterprises made up the remaining 3.47%, an increase of 7.6 compared to the previous year.

The number of employees in the city as of December 31, 2021, was 513.4 thousand, an increase of 5.8%. Non-state enterprises attracted the most workers, with 253.3 thousand people, an increase of 7.9% to 2020, accounting for 49.33% of the city’s workforce. FDI enterprises attracted 236.3 thousand people, an increase of 4.5% compared to 2020, accounting for 46.02% of the city’s workforce. Workers in State-owned enterprises occupied the remaining 4.64% with 23.8 thousand individuals, a decrease of 3%.

The total capital of enterprises in 2021 was 1,120.4 trillion VND, up 14.6% over the previous year, of which state-owned enterprises amassed 57.9 trillion VND, down 2.7% compared to the previous year; non-state enterprises recorded 624.8 trillion VND of capital, up 14%; FDI enterprises attracted 437.7 trillion VND, up 18.2% compared to the previous year.

In 2021, 12,975 out of 17,500 enterprises operated with less than ten employees, accounting for 74,1% of the city’s total number of enterprises. There were 11,659 enterprises with less than 10 billion VND in capital, accounting for 66.6% of the total number of enterprises.

2021 saw 5.3 trillion Pre-tax profit being made in enterprises, down 33.3% compared to the previous year, of which the state-owned enterprises took up 749.5 billion VND, while the non-state enterprises gained 201 trillion VND and the FDI enterprises occupied 24.7 trillion VND. 

The return on sale (ROS) in 2021 of the city’s enterprises reached 0.5%, down 39.1% compared to 2020, of which the FDI enterprises had the highest ROS with 4.2%, while the state-owned enterprises had the ROS of 1.6% and non-state enterprises had the ROS of -4.3%. 

2. Individual business establishments

In 2022, Hai Phong had 102,023 non-farm individual business establishments, an increase of 4.4% over the same period last year. Regarding the labor force, the number of employees working in the city's non-farm individual business establishments in 2022 was 163,840 employees, up 7.9% over the same period last year.

AVERAGE EARNING OF WORKERS  BY KINDS OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, AND FISHERY IN 2022

1. Agriculture

Regarding cultivation activities: Agricultural production in 2022 saw stable crops developed favorably with zero damaged areas that affected productivity. The city's cereal production in 2022 took up 370.87 thousand tons, down 1.5% compared to 2021, of which paddy rice production reached 365.72 thousand tons, down 1.35%. Particularly, the spring paddy made up 196.77 thousand tons, down 1.39%, while the yield of winter paddy reached 168.95 thousand tons, down 1.31%.

Some major perennial crops in 2022 were as follows: Mango with 3.1 thousand tons, down 11.2% compared to the previous year; apples with 2.3 thousand tons, down 4.8%; oranges with 2.6 thousand tons, down 2.6%; longan with 3.4 thousand tons, down 1.4%; lychee and rambutan with 4,7 thousand tons, down 3.02%.

The total pig population of the whole city was estimated at 154.07 thousand, down 5.02% over the same period. Cattle were relatively stable, no disease occurred, while poultry production decreased compared to the same period last year. Specifically, the living buffalo population reached 4.51 thousand, an increase of 0.6% over the previous year; the cattle population was 7.33 thousand, down 7.79%; poultry reached 8.27 million heads, down 2.8%. Production of buffalo live weight in 2022 reached 736.61 tons, down 1.64%; production of cattle live-weight reached 1,012.93 tons, down 10.22%; production of pig live-weight reached 30,253.69 tons, up 21.46%; production of poultry live-weight meat reached 67.97 thousand tons, down 0.23%.

2. Forestry

Forestry production in 2022 in the city remained stable, with an estimated forest area of 13,265.18 ha; the area of natural forest was approximately 9,071.69 ha, and the planted forest area was estimated at 4,193.49 ha.

The city's movement to plant scattered trees resumed annually with the active participation of all levels, branches, and people. 2022 saw about 186.2 thousand scattered forest trees planted, including those for timber, ornamental purposes, and shade. The scattered trees were planted mostly in the spring (after the spring break) in new urban areas, parks, schools, monuments, or scenic spots. Trees were additionally planted on main roads, making an important contribution to protecting the ecological environment, water sources, and forestial biodiversity, promoting protection, and minimizing the damage caused by natural disasters.

3. Fishery

Aquacultural area in 2022 was estimated at 11,517.59 ha, down 0.54% over the same period last year, of which the area for fish farming of all kinds accounted for 70.15% of the total farming area, while the area for shrimp farming of all kinds made up 25.62%. The rest was for other aquatic species.

The harvested aquacultural production in 2022 was estimated at 192.42 thousand tons, up 2.08% compared to the previous year, divided into fishes with 123.97 thousand tons (up 2.26%), shrimp of all kinds with 16.06 thousand tons (up 0.93%), and other aquatic products with 52.39 thousand tons (up 1.98%).

TRADE AND TOURISM IN 2022

1. Trade

The total retail sales of goods and services in 2022 were estimated at 174,4767 billion VND, up 14% compared to the previous year, equal to 100.9% of the year’s plan (172,970 billion VND). Some commodity groups had high growth rates, such as garments and footwear at 12.7%, food and foodstuffs at 17%, gasoline and other fuels at 13.6%, and so on.

By the end of 2022, Hai Phong City had 154 ranked markets, 36 supermarkets and trade centers.

2. Tourism

2022 restarted the whole country’s tourism in general and Hai Phong City in particular, with many cultural, artistic, entertainment, and recreational activities to promote the image and people of Hai Phong to attract tourists in and outside the city. As for accommodation and dining activities after the COVID-19 pandemic, business establishments have invested in improving service quality to comply with the requirements of customers and tourists. Travel establishments in the city provided service to 79.3 thousand tourist visits, up 208.7 percent over the same period last year. In 2022, the total number of tourist visits accommodated in the city reached 6,920.8 thousand, an increase of 87.4% compared to 2021.

Tourism revenue in Hai Phong reached 176,935.2 billion VND, up 280.6% compared to 2021.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX IN 2022

For the whole year of 2022, the average consumer price index (CPI) increased by 3,84% compared to 2021, of which 7 out of 11 commodity groups had an increase in the price index. In 2022, the domestic petrol price was adjusted 34 times (including 14 times of reduction), increasing the 12-month average petrol price by 26.83%, and the overall CPI impact increased by 0.92 percentage points. Eating out of the family increased by 6.93%, causing the overall CPI to increase by 0.6 percentage points due to the increased demand for food when the COVID-19 pandemic was under control. 

Domestic gas prices fluctuated according to the world’s pricing, and since the beginning of 2022, gas prices had increased by 11.59%, contributing to the overall CPI increase of 0.12 percentage points.

The price of housing maintenance materials increased by 7.7% over the same period last year due to the increased prices of cement, iron, steel, and sand in line with the increased pricing of input materials, causing the overall CPI to increase by 0.15 points.

Besides the reasons for the increase in CPI in 12 months of 2022, the price of some food items decreased, such as pork by 13.78%; frozen cattle meat by 6,3%; animal fat by 11.25%; The price of phones decreased by 1.75%, causing a decrease in CPI in 12 months of 2022 compared to the same period last year.

Domestic gold prices tended to increase at the end of the year. In addition, domestic gold prices were affected by the world’s gold price. Therefore, the gold price index in December 2022 increased by 0.92% over the preceding month, up 2.42% compared to December 2021. The average gold price in December 2022 fluctuated at 5.39 million VND/mace.

US dollar price index in December 2022 decreased by 2.52% compared to the previous month and increased by 5.47% compared to December 2022. The dollar sank due to concerns that rising interest rates could push the US economy into recession.

TRANSPORT AND TELECOMMUNICATION IN 2022

In 2022, the continuously fluctuating petrol price impacted the operation of Hai Phong City's transportation enterprises significantly. To survive and develop, the enterprises continuously innovated and improved quality and service methods. To save costs and strictly manage the journey and route of the vehicle, the enterprises applied many information technologies such as installing dash cameras and GPS devices to assist in finding the shortest route. Therefore, in 2022, transportation enterprises still achieved a good growth rate compared to 2021.

The total transport revenue in 2022 reached 105,826.9 billion VND, up 15.4% compared to 2021. Of which road transport reached 32,384.7 billion VND, accounting for 30.6%, up 17.5% compared to 2021. Waterway transport reached 22,181.9 billion VND, accounting for 20.96%, up 14.5% compared to the previous year

• Passenger transport: The number of passengers carried reached 43.3 million, an increase of 31.7% compared to 2021. The number of passengers traffic reached 1,791.8 million passengers. km, up 32.4%, of which passengers transported via roads reached 38.7 million passengers, an increase of 26.5%. The number of passengers traffic by road reached 1,763.8 million passengers.km, up 31,33%. 4.6 million passengers were traveling by river and sea, up 102.3%, and passengers traffic by river and sea reached 27.9 million passengers.km, up 170.65%.

• Freight transport: The volume of freight carried reached 273.6 million tons, up 13.41% over the previous year; the volume of freight traffic reached 116,209.2 million tons.km, an increase of 9.13% compared to 2021. Of which, freight carried by road reached 222.8 million tons, an increase of 15.44%, and the freight traffic reached 27,659 million tons km, up 19.14%; freight carried by sea reached 50.8 million tons, an increase of 5.29%, and the freight traffic reached 88,550.2 million tons.km, an increase of 4.5% compared to 2021.

The total number of telephone subscribers reached 2,591,9 thousand, an increase of 6.4% compared to 2021. The number of ADSL and fiber-optic Internet subscribers reached 2,262.4 thousand subscribers.

TURNOVER OF TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION SUPPORTING SERVICES

EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN 2022

In 2022, Hai Phong's education system continued to receive attention for infrastructure investment from the city. Up to now, the city had 320 preschools–down eight schools compared to the previous school year–and 459 general schools. In 2022, the city had 8,067 preschool teachers, down 2.58% from the previous school year, and 14,896 general school teachers, down 3.5% (of which, 6,718 primary school teachers, down 0.27%, 5,295 secondary school teachers, down 0.13% and 2,883 upper secondary teachers, down 15.13 percent).

The whole city now had 114.850 children going to kindergarten, an increase of 5.9% over the previous school year, and 396,182 general school pupils, an increase of 0.87% (of which 190,589 primary school pupils, down 3.55%, 136,161 lower secondary school pupils, an increase of 3.66% and 69,432 upper secondary school pupils, an increase of 8.91%). The average number of pupils per class in primary schools, lower secondary schools, and upper secondary schools was 37, 42, and 43 pupils per class, respectively. The average number of pupils per teacher in primary schools, the lower secondary schools, and the upper secondary schools was 28, 26, and 24 pupils per teacher, respectively.

Hai Phong City had four universities, 19 colleges, and 12 vocational intermediate schools. In 2022, the city’s universities and colleges alone recruited 13,215 new students.

HEALTH, CULTURE, SPORT, LIVING STANDARDS, SOCIAL SAFETY AND JUSTICE IN 2022

1. Health

In 2022, the city developed a plan to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic in the new situation, a health assurance and disease prevention plan for the Sea Games; a plan to ensure medical safety for the Red Phoenix Flower Festival: winter-spring and summer epidemic prevention and control plans; spring vaccination plan against Covid-19, the signing ceremony of commitment on the progress of vaccination instructions on occupational safety and hygiene for medical staff: promptly provided documents and instructions of the City Steering Committee on pandemic prevention and control to departments, agencies and units in the city.

The number of locally managed medical facilities as of December 31, 2022, was 271, including 34 hospitals, 02 regional clinics, 218 health stations, and 17 medical centers. The number of hospital beds managed by the locality was 8,521, of which 7,351 were in hospitals, 20 were in regional clinics, 1,090 were at health stations, and 60 were at medical centers.

The number of health workers as of December 31, 2022, was 9,782 people, an increase of 5.3% compared to 2021, of which medical staff accounted for 9,292 people, an increase of 5.7%, and pharmaceutical staff were 490 people, down 1.6%.

2. Culture and Sports

In 2022, the City Arts Council appraised the art segment "Sounds of the Sea Waves," performed by the Hai Phong Dance Troupe to participate in the ASEAN-2022 Music Festival. The art program consisted of two parts: part I was called "Bach Dang Waves" with performances like "Bach Dang River History,” "Weaving Country, Weaving People's Love,” "Fishing Village Boys,” and ethnic musical instrument concerts. The program introduced the legendary Bach Dang River–the pride of Hai Phong and its people–to domestic and foreign audiences. The river reminded generations of Hai Phong people about their patriotism and the talent of their ancestors, continuing to nurture the soul of the city’s inhabitants and contribute to the development of the heroic seaport city. The City’s Arts Council appraised the puppet play "From Carp To Dragon,” a work of the Hai Phong Television Theater Project, chaired by the Hai Phong Puppetry Art Troupe.

Within the framework of the 9th National Sports Festival in 2022, the Hai Phong boat racing team won six gold medals in Canoeing, ranking second. Canoeing was one of the 43 sports competitions in this festival. Having successfully hosted the event at the 31st SEA Games, Hai Phong City’s authorities actively organized canoeing as requested by the Games. The canoeing race was held from December 14 to December 19 at the Hai Phong Boat Racing Training Area.

3. People's living standards

The city’s monthly income per capita in 2022 reached 5,897.8 thousand VND, an increase of 15.8% compared to 2021. The percentage of the urban population supplied with clean water through a centralized water supply system reached 100%, and the rate of multidimensional poverty households continued to decrease, from 0.8% in 2021 to 0.6% in 2022.

4. Social order and safety

In 2022, the city recorded 62 road traffic accidents, two railway traffic accidents, and one waterway traffic accident, causing 51 deaths and 22 injured people. Compared to the same period last year, the number of accidents decreased by 11 cases over the same period (equivalent to 15.07%), the number of deaths decreased by 08 people (equivalent to 13.56%), and the number of injured people felt by 15 people (corresponding to a decrease of 40,54%).

2022 recorded 81 fire incidents in the city, causing 03 deaths and 03 injured. The cause of the fires was mainly due to carelessness in using equipment with a high risk of fire and explosion; some forest vegetation fires even caused estimated damage of 8.1 ha, and other fires were in the process of investigation and valuation of property damage. In the coming time, the city will strengthen inter-sectoral coordination to inspect fire prevention and fire fighting in areas and facilities prone to fire and explosion, strictly handling organizations and individuals violating fire prevention and fighting regulations.