The conference discussed the regional development planning in 2021-2030, with the vision towards 2050.

According to Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, regional planning plays a very important role as it helps create new opportunities for development, and new values for the region.

Regional planning also is an important foundation for government agencies to propose a public investment plan for 2026-2030, especially for inter-regional large-scale projects.  

The regional plan has six development orientations, with focus on the acceleration of economic restructuring in association with the growth model based on large-scale application of science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and green transition; and development of the region into a modern service center in Southeast Asia.

Also, the regional development space needs to be organized in a reasonable way, including three national corridors and international connection, two supporting corridors connecting different regions, one coastal corridor, two driving force regions, and two socio-economic sub-regions.

The capital city of Hanoi will continue to be the national political, administrative, cultural, educational, science and technology, economic and international transaction center of the whole country, with global connections and international stature like capitals of developed countries in the region and the world.

Under the plan, Hanoi, Hai Phong and Quang Ninh are parts of the growth triangle, while major urban areas will be developed on the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong and Lang Son – Hanoi – Hai Phong economic corridors. Also, there will be urban area clusters belonging to the northern coastal sub-region.

The infrastructure network will be completed with transport infrastructure ensuring effective inner regional, domestic and international connections.

Regarding the list of investment projects, it is necessary to prioritize resources for key projects such as transport infrastructure, digital infrastructure and urban infrastructure.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has suggested trial of new models and policies with outstanding internationally competitive factors in order to take full advantage of the advantages of the region and the Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh growth triangle.

Localities’ linkages

Speaking at the conference, Chinh emphasized that together with the southeastern region, the Red River Delta plays a special role in the development of the country as it makes up 50 percent of the country’s GDP. Therefore, regional planning needs to be designed to promote and fully exploit the outstanding potentials and regional competitive edges.

One of the outstanding characteristics of the Red River Delta is that it serves as the gateway to China and ASEAN by both land and sea routes. Of these, the route through Mong Cai Border Gate in Quang Ninh province is the shortest route (500 kilometers) that connects Vietnam’s Red River Delta and China’s most dynamic region. 

The Red River Delta is nearest to Northeastern Asia. Chinh emphasized the need to build a solid national defence line and cooperative and competitive line for economic development.

Stressing that regional linkage is one of the new driving forces, Chinh requested local authorities to raise the sense of initiative and have a self-reliant spirit.

"No locality can replace any other locality, but it is impossible not to link each other, especially traffic links," Chinh said.

Regarding the development of the aviation sector, Chinh said there are three airports in the northern part of the delta (Noi Bai, Van Don, Cat Bi), and Vietnam may consider developing a new international airport in the southern part of the delta.

Quang Ninh and Hai Phong have been asked to cooperate to manage and exploit local resources, as the Ha Long Bay has got UNESCO’s nod to expand its boundary, now including Cat Ba archipelago, which is the first inter-provincial world heritage site in Vietnam.

The Prime Minister requested Quang Ninh, Bac Giang, Hai Duong and related ministries and agencies to continue working on the dossier to be submitted to UNESCO for recognition of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem – Con Son relic and landscape complex as a world heritage site.

The Red River Delta includes 11 centrally-run provinces and cities, namely Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Thai Binh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh. 

Thu Hang