HCMC Customs: Outstanding performance across all operations

On behalf of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Dung and Director of Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department Nguyen Hoang Tuan presented Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister to collectives and individuals.

Despite economic challenges at home and abroad, HCMC Customs achieved impressive results, fulfilling its assigned tasks with distinction.

In administrative reform and modernization, the department executed 16 targeted initiatives to simplify procedures, enhance efficiency, and promote trade facilitation, earning top rankings among agencies in the region.

For 2024, HCMC Customs was tasked with collecting VND 130.8 trillion in state revenue—an increase of 7.3% from the previous year. Thanks to decisive leadership and the relentless efforts of its staff, the department surpassed this target. By December 31, 2024, revenue collection reached VND 131.39 trillion, achieving 100.45% of the target and reflecting an 8.46% year-on-year increase, equivalent to VND 10.17 trillion.

In 2024, HCMC Customs led and coordinated efforts to uncover 2,261 violations, with the total value of seized goods exceeding VND 65 trillion. The department imposed administrative penalties in 2,207 cases, collecting over VND 42 billion in fines. Additionally, it initiated one criminal prosecution and referred 56 cases for further investigation.

On behalf of the delegation, Deputy Director General of Vietnam Customs Dinh Ngoc Thang (third from right) and Deputy Director of HCMC Customs Department Do Thanh Quang presented the Prime Minister's Certificates of Merit to individuals.

Speaking at the conference, Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Dung and Deputy Director General Dinh Ngoc Thang commended the department for its exceptional performance, particularly in revenue collection, despite early concerns about meeting targets.

HCMC Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Dung affirmed that the remarkable achievement of surpassing the state budget collection target by HCMC Customs is a testament to the tremendous efforts of the entire unit. Just a month ago, both HCMC Tax Department and Customs Department were facing significant challenges in collecting state budget. Meanwhile, the task of collecting land use fees remained incomplete due to land valuation issues.

However, by the end of 2024, HCMC's state budget collection reached VND 505,344 billion, exceeding the forecast by 104.66%. This marks the first time in history that the city's budget has surpassed the VND 500,000 billion threshold, making it the first and only locality to achieve such a high revenue figure to date. Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Dung emphasized that this feat is the result of significant efforts in the leadership and management of HCMC Customs.

Acknowledging the achievements of HCMC Customs, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Customs Dinh Ngoc Thang stated that the revenue of HCMC Customs has unique characteristics compared to other units, with a significant portion of taxes collected directly for the state budget, and relatively low levels of provisional taxes and tax refunds for businesses.

Over the past year, while facilitating businesses, HCMC Customs has effectively combatted smuggling and commercial fraud, creating a healthy environment for businesses. The recognition of businesses is both a recognition of their contributions and fosters a closer relationship between Customs and businesses, aiming to facilitate and better support the business community.

In outlining the tasks for 2025, Deputy General Director Dinh Ngoc Thang requested that, given the significant events of the country and the sector, HCMC Customs develop a clear and specific emulation plan from the beginning of the year to ensure effective implementation. Additionally, as the unit has identified difficulties for the year, it is necessary to deploy comprehensive solutions from the outset to fulfill assigned tasks, including the state budget collection target of VND 130,000 billion.

Regarding the fight against smuggling and commercial fraud, in 2025, HCMC Customs needs to pay attention to enhancing vigilance, ensuring that import and export goods are cleared quickly while maintaining strict management

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Dung and leaders of Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department presented the Ho Chi Minh City Emulation Flag to the Inspection Division of Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department.

Taking into account the guidance of leaders at all levels, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Customs Nguyen Hoang Tuan stated that the unit will promptly supplement and develop a detailed plan for implementation from the beginning of the year. In particular, the unit will focus resources on reorganizing its apparatus to ensure it is "lean, efficient, effective, and results-oriented" in line with the Central Government's directive.

Concurrently, the unit will focus on administrative reform, customs modernization, application of information technology, digital transformation; organizing conferences at all levels; and participating in activities to celebrate significant events of the country and the Customs sector...

"Ho Chi Minh City Customs will demonstrate a spirit of solidarity and determination from the very beginning of the year to implement and complete the tasks of 2025," emphasized Director Nguyen Hoang Tuan.

At the conference, many collectives and individuals of Ho Chi Minh City Customs received Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister; and Emulation Flags from the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee..