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Phu Cat Airport. Photo B.L |
Two HCMC-Quy Nhon-HCMC five-star trains will be kicked off and the number of flight to Quy Nhon will be increased. These are provincial leaders' efforts to speed up the social-economic development. Chairman of Binh Dinh Province People's Committee, Vu Hoang Ha, talked with Cat Hung about the issue.
Q: Could you talk about the significance of the five-star trains operation and the increase of flights to Quy Nhon?
The demand on traveling by plane and train to Binh Dinh has been increasing since Binh Dinh was involved in the key economic region of the Central Vietnam and Nhon Hoi Economic Zone became more attractive. Also, when Binh Dinh has emerged as an attractive investment environment in recent years, contributing to the provincial economic development, the demand has become a burning issue than ever.
Many leaders of ministries and domestic and foreign investors complained about the shortage of flights to Binh Dinh. This is really a big obstacle. In many meetings, we, therefore, agreed that the obstacle must be soon solved for Binh Dinh's development. The operation of five-star trains and the increase of flights to Binh Dinh are a good sign for all.
It has great significance, especially when it's one of conditions making a breakthrough in Binh Dinh's social-economic development.
Q: What did you do to persuade Vietnam Railways (VR) and Vietnam Airlines (VNA)?
At meetings with PM, Minister of Transport and Communications, and representatives of functional bodies, we addressed the issue and asked for solutions. Flights for HCMC-Quy Nhon-HCMC route couldn't meet people's demands. The PM authorized Ministry of Transport and Communications to consider the issue.
Accordingly, I held three successive meetings with directors of Middle Airport Authority, Vietnam Air Service Company, and VR in mid-October in Binh Dinh. I also had talks with Minister of Transport and Communications and representatives of VR, Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam, and VNA in Ha Noi.
Q: Could you tell us more?
VR approved two high quality trains for HCMC-Quy Nhon-HCMC route. The project is absolutely suitable to the VR and Binh Dinh's strategic development, according to the general director of Sai Gon Railway Passenger Transportation Company, Vu Ta Tung.
Under the project, Sai Gon Railway Passenger Transportation Company will cooperate with some partners, including Hoan Cau tourism joint stock company and railway transport and trade joint stock company, to operate trains daily departing at 4-5 pm in HCMC and Quy Nhon and arriving at final stations at 5-6 am in the next morning.
The trains will include ten air-conditioned cars with two soft seat, six sleeping, and two service cars involved. The quality will be equal or higher than HCMC-Nha Trang-HCMC five-star trains. Our motto is quality and safety first. The first five-star HCM-Quy Nhon-HCMC trains plan to be kicked off in May, 2008.
Both signed the memorandum, starting the project. We also committed to upgrade the road from Dieu Tri station to National Highway No 1. The departure and arrival will be Quy Nhon station, depending on passengers' demand.
The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam plans to install a night-time lighting system worth VND30 billion at Phu Cat airport for night flights in the future. But, in the short term, only one more flight in HCMC-Quy Nhon-HCMC route would be provided owing to the shortage of planes, according to Vasco's general director.
VNA will allow Vasco to charter more planes to provide 12 flights a week on HCMC-Quy Nhon-HCMC route from December 1 and two more will be added on this route by 2008. VNA also promised to increase flights on Phu Cat-Da Nang-Ha Noi route in the earliest time and bigger planes like Airbus will be gradually replaced.
Q: What will we do to aid projects?
We promised to create the most favorable conditions for the operation of VR, VNA, and Vasco, aiding in security, safety, and road upgrade. Some free services will also be provided. The advertisement for projects is to be promoted on mass media.
