Identifying the strengths of the North Central and Central Coast regions with a vision to 2050

On April 9, the Government Office issued Notice No. 148/TB-VPCP conveying the conclusion of the Government Standing Committee on the Planning of the North Central and Central Coastal regions for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

The announcement stated: The North Central and Central Coast regions have a particularly important strategic role and position in terms of economy, politics, culture, society, environment, national defense, security and foreign affairs of the whole country.

This is the region with the longest coastline in the country, with great potential for developing the marine economy, an important strength for socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security of the sea and islands of the region and the whole country. In particular, this is also a region with its own cultural identity, self-reliance, dynamism and creativity.

The planning of the North Central and Central Coastal regions is an integrated multi-sectoral and multi-field planning, first established under the provisions of the Planning Law, in the context of simultaneously establishing plans within the planning system.

The Government Standing Committee acknowledged and highly appreciated the Ministry of Planning and Investment for closely coordinating with ministries, branches and localities in the process of preparing, appraising and completing the Regional Planning dossier to submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval.

In order to promptly approve the Plan according to the schedule required by the National Assembly, the Government Standing Committee requested the Ministry of Planning and Investment to promptly review and absorb the opinions of delegates at the meeting to complete the Plan.

The content of the Regional Planning must be development-oriented and open; the viewpoints, goals and orientations must closely follow the Resolution of the Party Congress, the Socio-Economic Strategy for the 2021-2030 period, Resolution 26-NQ/TW dated November 3, 2022 of the Politburo; thematic Resolutions of the Party Central Committee, Resolutions of the National Assembly related to the region and localities in the region and Resolutions of the Provincial Party Congresses to specify in the regional planning to ensure synchronization, unity and effectiveness.

Besides the strength of developing marine economy and seaports, the North Central and Central Coast regions have many advantages for socio-economic development as the North-South transport infrastructure has been significantly improved in recent times.

However, the potential and advantages of the region, especially the marine economy, have not been properly exploited and effectively promoted; the operational efficiency of border economic zones and industrial clusters is not high.

Coastal economic zones and seaports have not developed commensurate with their potential and advantages; agricultural production is still small and fragmented; there is a lack of large-scale, dynamic investment projects; tourism development is not sustainable, lacks diversity, and international competitiveness is still low...

In addition to the above strengths and limitations, the region still has many disadvantages such as: natural disasters, storms, floods occur frequently, the regional gap between the East and the West is still high, the connection of East-West traffic infrastructure is still difficult, the connection of the region with the Central Highlands is still difficult...

Therefore, the Regional Planning must have a comprehensive, long-term vision along with breakthrough solutions, expanding space and resources for development; ensuring the connection of coastal economic zones, industrial parks with tourism and service areas; between urban development and new rural areas; between economic development and protection of marine resources and environment, adaptation to climate change, conservation and promotion of cultural and historical heritage values ​​and marine, island and forest ecosystems; effectively promoting economic corridors, especially the East-West Economic Corridor; improving the operational efficiency of seaports, airports, border economic zones, etc.

The Government Standing Committee noted a number of contents that need to be reviewed and completed in regional planning: Review the contents of Resolutions of the Central Committee, Politburo, National Assembly, and Government for the region.

On that basis, the North Central and Central Coastal Region Planning must determine the importance, potential and strengths of the region; from there, propose breakthrough solutions for development.

Research and supplement specific solutions and plans for the development of the seaport system to promote the marine economy; restore the dual-use airport system, including developing Chu Lai airport into an international transit airport; promote breakthroughs in science and technology in line with the economic development of the region; develop sea tourism, promote the potential of exploiting historical and cultural relics, etc.

Review and structure the planning content to be clearer and more coherent according to the organization of spaces (transportation, culture, rivers, development, science and innovation, urban development, agriculture, environmental protection, underground...).

Research and add to the Regional Planning the exploitation of renewable energy (solar power, wind power) associated with economic development efficiency, land saving and environmental protection, in accordance with national sector planning.

Research resources to develop the East-West economic corridor, including specific solutions for projects connecting with the Central Highlands.

Regarding the List of projects and priority order of implementation: Currently, many national sector and field plans have been approved by the Prime Minister.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment is assigned to coordinate with ministries and agencies to review projects in the Project List to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Law on Planning, with focus and key points, and consistency with approved national sectoral plans.

After the planning of the North Central and Central Coast regions is approved, it will be announced according to regulations and communication work will be done well to agencies and people for them to know and implement.

The Government Standing Committee requests ministries and ministerial-level agencies, according to their state management functions and tasks, to proactively and urgently coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to review and complete the Planning of the North Central and Central Coast regions.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to review and complete the Planning for the North Central and Central Coast regions, and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval this April.