On the basis of identified viewpoints and goals, with strict scientific criteria, closely following the practical development needs of each region and locality, the Master Plan on the development of Vietnam’s Seaport System in the period 2021 - 2030, with vision to 2050 has identified the following main contents:

First of all, the Plan clearly defines seaport groups to make it easy for management, investment and development. Accordingly, the seaports of Hai Phong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau are two special ones. 15 class I seaports include Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Can Tho, Long An, and Tra Vinh. Among these, Thanh Hoa, Da Nang and Khanh Hoa seaports are planned to become special ones in the future. 06 class II seaports are Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Hau Giang, and Dong Thap). 13 class III seaports include Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Phu Yen, Binh Duong, Vinh Long, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Soc Trang, An Giang, Kien Giang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau. Particularly, Soc Trang seaport is planned to become a special seaport.

Regarding the transport infrastructure linkage: developing railways connecting with special and type I seaports on the North - South corridor; forming wharfs for inland waterway vehicles in seaport waters; developing expressway system connecting to special seaports, national highway system, local roads connecting directly to the seaport system. Developing dry ports in economic areas and economic corridors; giving priority to planning locations with convenient connections by inland waterway transport, river and sea transport, highways, and railways to important seaports.

It is estimated that by 2030, the total demand for land area will mount up to 33,600 hectares and that of water surface is about 606,000 hectares. The total investment capital demand will be about 313,000 billion VND (only for ports providing cargo handling services), mobilised mainly from non-budget sources, enterprises and other lawful sources. Some priority investment projects are: Investment project on upgrade of Cai Mep - Thi Vai shipping lane serving ships with a deadweight tonnage of 200.000 tonnes partially loaded (18.000 TEU); project on construction of the shipping lane to Hau River for large-size ships - phase 2, capable of receiving ships with a deadweight tonnage of 20.000 tonnes partially loaded; upgrading lighthouses on islands and archipelagos under Vietnam’s jurisdiction, etc. Investing in wharves in Lach Huyen and Nam Do Son terminals (Hai Phong), wharves of Cai Mep - Thi Vai terminal (Ba Ria - Vung Tau); main ports of class I seaports, international terminals connected to potential areas for tourism development; large-scale terminals serving power, coal, gas, petroleum, and metallurgy power centres; terminals serving coastal economic zones; call for investment in terminals of Van Phong and Tran De potential seaports.

With systematic method, careful research, objective assessment, and strategic vision in the direction of promoting the strengths of each region and locality, ensuring investment and sustainable development, it is hoped that that the Plan will be a solid legal basis and a premise for developing seaport infrastructure in particular and transport infrastructure in general, ensuring wholeness, high connectivity, synchronisation and modernity, contributing to the successful implementation of the goals set by the Party and State.

Cao Vuong