Hanoi

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is currently at the center of significant political and economic developments. The Communist Party of Vietnam recently held its congress in Hanoi, a major event occurring every five years. This congress is newsworthy as it determines the country's leadership and sets economic goals for the coming years. General Secretary To Lam was re-appointed and is consolidating power, potentially assuming the presidency in addition to his existing role. He has pledged to fight corruption and aims for over 10% annual economic growth. The congress also addresses balancing government control with economic expansion, targeting a substantial increase in per capita GDP. Hanoi's significance is further highlighted by international disputes, such as the recent Netflix controversy where a Chinese drama was removed due to objections from Hanoi regarding a map depicting contested territorial claims in the South China Sea. The city is also a focal point for Vietnamese citizens holding wealth in gold, impacting the local economy.