4. Southwestern coastal lands

Develop green industry, clean energy and renewable energy, especially wind power and solar power in association with protection of forests and seashore; stimulate aquaculture, fishing, logistics services and modern fishery infrastructure in order to serve offshore fishing and fishery centres in Dong Thap, Vinh Long, Ca Mau and An Giang provinces. Complete a transportation system to connect with major economic centres in the region and the world; study and develop Vinh Long, Ca Mau provinces into renewable energy export centres of Vietnam.

Develop Vinh Long, Can Tho into a regional marine economic centre associated with Tran De port and a coastal economic corridor associated with development of a coastal road; upgrade navigation channels that allow large-size ships to enter Hau River and Tran De navigation channel; establish an inter-regional and international logistics centre in Dinh An economic zone; develop hi-tech aquaculture adapting to climate change and an aquaculture centre in Ca Mau province.

Develop seaports for tourism, import and export services, as well as Phu Quoc - Rach Gia - Hon Chong wharf and Nam Can - Ong Doc port; research to develop Hon Khoai port into a complex port; develop An Giang province into a national marine economic centre.

A part of Phu Quoc special economic zone (Photo: baoangiang.com.vn)

5. Islands and archipelagoes

Develop potential and advantages of 13 special zones to promote socio-economic development in association with maintenance of national defence and security and protection, conservation and preservation of historical relics, cultural values, resources, environment, ecosystem and marine biodiversity and adaptation to climate change and sea-level rise. Construct dual-use works and sufficient and basic socio-economic infrastructure, especially electricity, fresh water, communications, health care and education, and improve material and spiritual life of officials, soldiers, youth volunteers and People on islands. Specific policies for each zone are regulated as follows:

Co To: build the Zone with a developed economy and solid defence and security into a high-quality sea and island ecology tourism destination in association with history, culture and natural landscapes with functions of general entertainment, sports, tourism, accommodation, luxurious resorts and scientific research on nature and ecological environment, a rescue and fishery logistics centre in the Northeast region. Expand existing land for urban development in Co To Lon and Thanh Lan islands; allocate residential land and migrate to Tran island.

Van Don: Develop it into a multi-disciplinary and multi-sector marine economic zone and an entertainment industry, culture industry, high-end sea and island tourism and general service centre, and an international business gateway; create high-quality unique, different and modern products that have brands and international competitiveness; Van Don island district will become a green, modern, smart and sustainable sea island city in connection with historical elements and traditional culture;

Bach Long Vi: Build the island district in a manner that ensures sustainable socio-economic development and strong defence and security in the Gulf of Tonkin waters; maximise potential and advantages, promote the development of service sectors, attract and apply high-tech technologies to development of aquaculture and fishery processing; Bach Long Vi island district will become a search, rescue and fishery logistics centre in the Northern region;

Cat Hai: Develop the Zone into a key marine economic centre of Hai Phong city, a seaport service centre, a logistics centre, and a modern technological and industrial park; into a smart island district with a synchronous transport infrastructure; Cat Ba island will become an international eco-tourism centre.

Con Co: Develop marine ecotourism, resorts, fishery logistic service, a centre for shelter and search and rescue in the region.

Hoang Sa island district: Continue to claim sovereignty by peaceful methods in accordance with international law; research and develop appropriate policies to assist fishermen in fishing, protection of natural resources and environment and search and rescue.

Ly Son: Develop the island into an eco-tourism island in association with green and smart urban development on the basis of marine logistics services

Truong Sa: Develop the island district into an economic, cultural and social centre at sea of ​​Vietnam in association with development of potentials for national defence and security. In the first place, focus on fishery logistics; facilitate the people's life on sea and the island and enable people to have a long-term stable life on Truong Sa island district.

Phu Quy: Develop the island into a smart and dynamic island city that rapidly develops and achieves green growth, and focus on increase in defence capacity. Stimulate fishery processing according to a model of association and connection in chains of use and provision of logistics services; strengthen the application of advanced and modern science and technology to preservation and preliminary processing of seafood, thereby increasing the added value; prioritise development of tourism so that it becomes a key economic sector, and diversify high-quality tourism products and forms.

Con Dao: Reasonably and effectively mobilise and use resources for investment in development, and efficiently exploit potentials and advantages of Con Dao; strongly develop tourism and high-quality services; develop Con Dao island district into a regional and international unique marine ecological urban centre that has synchronous and modern infrastructure, including rapid expansion of Con Dao Airport; protect, conserve and preserve historical relics, cultural values, natural resources and marine biodiversity with Con Dao national park being the centre.

Kien Hai: Develop it into a marine economic centre with outstanding activities, including community-based sea and island tourism services, marine aquaculture and fishery processing; build and upgrade fishing ports in connection to logistics affairs and services for marine aquaculture

Phu Quoc and Tho Chu: Develop into green and smart cities, and an international and regional centre for economy, trade, tourism and sea and island ecotourism that has high quality and many different values at the forefront of Vietnam's territorial sea with a strategic position in defence and security.

Regarding other islands that have potentials, advantages and strategic and important positions, continue consolidation and maintenance of national defence and security in association with development of certain economic sectors and preservation of nature and biodiversity and adaption to climate change and sea-level rise in conformity with characteristics of each island.

By: Pham Binh