Hai Duong is one of eight provinces oriented to become a centrally-governed city.

The Prime Minister issued Decision No. 891/QD-TTg dated August 22, 2024 approving the Urban and Rural System Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

The goal of the planning until 2030 is to accelerate the speed and improve the quality of urbanization, develop, arrange, and distribute a unified, effective, and comprehensive urban and rural system with synchronous and modern infrastructure suitable for development conditions, have a healthy living environment, be resilient, adapt to rising sea levels, climate change, be environmentally friendly, and reduce emissions.

Sustainable development of urban systems according to the network, forming a number of dynamic urban areas and urban chains with modern, green and unique architecture. Developing urban areas as "centers" of politics, administration, economy, culture, society, science and technology, traffic hubs, attracting investment.

The plan also clearly states the construction of at least 5 urban areas of international stature, acting as a hub for connection and development with regional and international networks. The economic structure of the urban area develops in a modern direction with green economic sectors and digital economic sectors accounting for a large proportion.

Urban system: Urbanization rate by 2030 will reach over 50%; by 2050 it will reach 70%; the number of urban areas nationwide will be about 1,000 - 1,200; a number of national and regional urban centers will be formed that meet the criteria for healthcare, education and training, and urban culture equivalent to the average level of urban areas in the group of 4 leading ASEAN countries.

Develop Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other centrally-run cities into dynamic, creative, leading and spreading urban areas, connecting urban areas, and playing an important role in the urban network of Southeast Asia and Asia.

Large urban planning associated with public transport (TOD), focusing on exploiting underground space, developing satellite cities to reduce the load on central cities.

According to the plan, there are 5 centrally-governed cities including: Hanoi Capital, Ho Chi Minh City (expected to be a special-class city by 2030), Hai Phong, Can Tho, Da Nang (expected to be a class I city by 2030).

8 provinces are oriented to become centrally-run cities including: Thua Thien Hue, Khanh Hoa, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Hai Duong, Binh Duong (expected to be class I urban areas by 2030).

The plan promulgates a list of 42 type I urban areas, of which the Red River Delta has 11 urban areas, the Northern Midlands and Mountains region has 5 urban areas, the North Central and Central Coast region has 7 urban areas, the Central Highlands region has 3 urban areas, the Southeast region has 5 urban areas, and the Mekong River Delta region has 11 urban areas.

There are 50 type II urban areas, of which the Red River Delta has 10 urban areas, the Northern Midlands and Mountains region has 11 urban areas, the North Central and Central Coast region has 11 urban areas, the Central Highlands region has 3 urban areas, the Southeast region has 8 urban areas, and the Mekong River Delta region has 7 urban areas.

List of centrally-run cities or provinces oriented to become centrally-run cities

List of type I cities

List of type II cities

List of type III cities