The revised plan aims to align with recent administrative adjustments, including provincial mergers and the implementation of the two-tier local government model.

According to Minister Thang, the updated national planning targets include an average GDP growth rate of 10% or higher for the 2026-2030 period, a labor productivity growth rate above 8.5% annually, per capita GDP reaching approximately $8,500 by 2030, and a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.78.

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Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang presents the proposal. Photo: National Assembly

The proposed framework redefines six major socio-economic zones, with two undergoing significant changes:

North Central Region: 5 provinces and cities, from Thanh Hoa to Hue.

South Central Coastal and Central Highlands Region: 6 provinces and cities, from Da Nang to Lam Dong.

A new growth driver area is also proposed within the North Central Region, encompassing the coastal zones of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh.

Here is the breakdown of the six socio-economic regions in the proposal:

Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region: Lang Son, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La

Red River Delta: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh

North Central Region: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue

South Central Coast and Central Highlands: Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong

Southeast Region: Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh

Mekong Delta Region: Can Tho, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, An Giang, Ca Mau

The plan also includes infrastructure development priorities to better connect urban hubs in newly merged provinces and ensure balanced roles across these regions.

It outlines a vision for Ho Chi Minh City to become a multi-centered international mega-city, supported by strategic industrial zones, modern industrial clusters, and high-tech economic sectors to sustain double-digit growth.

Additional infrastructure and social development goals include upgrading higher education institutions, establishing specialized medical centers in key provinces, and investing in grassroots healthcare systems.

The cultural sector will also see increased investment through the development of creative hubs and cultural industry complexes.

In terms of physical infrastructure, the proposal calls for acceleration of expressways, railways, seaports, airports, energy systems, and digital infrastructure to support rapid economic growth.

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Phan Van Mai, Chair of the National Assembly’s Economic and Financial Committee, presents the committee’s review. Photo: National Assembly

Reviewing the proposal, Committee Chair Phan Van Mai agreed in principle with the adjustments to the national planning framework in response to administrative restructuring.

However, for zones and provinces undergoing boundary or name changes, the committee advised a thorough review to ensure consistency and clarity to avoid misinterpretations during policy implementation.

The committee also emphasized that although the total number of socio-economic zones remains at six, the internal structure and scale of each zone - especially the North Central and South Central-Coastal-Highlands regions - have significantly changed due to provincial mergers, affecting land area and population.

Therefore, the committee urged clarification on how the new zoning scheme will influence development strategies and intra-regional connectivity.

Prime Minister granted authority to approve marine and land-use planning

Regarding the amended Law on Planning, Minister Thang stated that the draft law now includes overarching principles for sectoral planning. Detailed provisions will be defined in specialized laws governing formulation, appraisal, approval, publication, and adjustments.

Vietnam’s planning framework includes:

National-level planning: Overall national planning, marine spatial planning, land-use planning, and sectoral planning; Regional planning; Provincial planning; Sectoral detailed planning; Urban and rural planning; Special administrative-economic unit planning (regulated by the National Assembly)

The number of sectoral and detailed planning documents has been reduced from 78 to 49, a 37% reduction, streamlining the planning system.

The draft law also expands delegation of authority. The Prime Minister will be authorized to approve national marine and land-use plans. The government will detail the authority for approving sectoral planning to ensure administrative flexibility. Ministers will be authorized to approve sectoral detailed plans, and provincial chairpersons will approve provincial plans.

To prevent arbitrary adjustments, the draft law introduces mechanisms for inspection, supervision, and review of planning activities.

Tran Thuong