Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha chaired the 4th meeting of the Coordinating Council for the North-central and Central Coastal Region in Thua Thien – Hue province on May 19, during which the decision approving the regional planning scheme for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050 was announced.

Endorsed by the Prime Minister on May 4, the planning scheme aims to transform the region into a rapidly developing, dynamic region with sustainable development, robust maritime economy, and high average income per capita by 2030. Its infrastructure will be harmonised, resilient to natural disasters, and adaptive to climate change. By 2050, the region is set to lead the nation in the maritime economy, with at least two major urban centres and several large industrial, service, and international cooperation hubs that meet Asian standards.

Its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) is expected to grow at an average rate of 7.5-8% annually between 2021 and 2030. By 2030, its per capita GRDP will reach 165 million VND (6,500 USD), with its urbanisation rate anticipated to exceed 48%.

At the meeting, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung reviewed the over-a-year implementation of the Politburo's Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW on the regional socio-economic development and defence until 2030, with a vision to 2045. To date, the region has completed three out of the 34 tasks, approved the master planning schemes of its all 14 provinces and city, and achieved an economic growth rate of 5.51% and a per capita GRDP of 75.62 million VND in 2023.

However, Dung said challenges remain in attracting large-scale industrial investments, developing maritime industries, and addressing inter-regional issues such as transport connectivity, environmental management, and rescue operations. Science, technology, and innovation have yet to truly serve as growth drivers, while regional coordination and linkage activities have yet to receive due attention.

In his concluding remarks, Ha, who is also the chairman of the coordinating council, held that coastal connectivity must be a top priority, and stressed the importance of developing transport infrastructure to enhance East-West connectivity through Laos and Cambodia and to link the central coastal region with the Central Highlands.

The Deputy PM suggested more investments in renewable energy infrastructure and human resources development, the enhancement of the council's position within the national administrative system, and the building of operational mechanisms for sub-regions./. VNA