Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved plans to develop Vietnam ’s coastal economic zones until 2020, aimed at promoting economic development, particularly in poor coastal areas and attracting investment.
Under the plans given the green light on Sept 23, a system of 15 coastal economic zones will be formed. They include Van Don zone (Quang Ninh province), Dinh Vu-Cat Hai (Hai Phong city), Nghi Son (Thanh Hoa province), Dong Nam Nghe An (Nghe An province), Vung Ang (Ha Tinh province), Hon La (Quang Binh province), Chan May-Lang Co (Thua Thien-Hue), Chu Lai (Quang Nam), Dung Quat (Quang Ngai), Nhon Hoi (Binh Dinh), Nam Phu Yen (Phu Yen), Van Phong (Khanh Hoa), Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), Dinh An (Tra Vinh) and Nam Can (Ca Mau).
For northern economic zones, initially the Van Don zone in Quang Ninh province will be developed in order to further economic integration in the northeast Asian region within the two economic corridors and one economic belt along the coast of the Tonkin Gulf .
Central coastal economic zones, particularly Vung Ang in Ha Tinh and Van Phong in Khanh Hoa, will become corridors to the sea and will help develop cooperation between the East-West and North-South corridors.
Southern coastal economic zones, especially Phu Quoc in Kien Giang province, will become a portal for economic integration within the ASEAN region.
The plan sets aims for rapid development of 13 of the 15 coastal economic zones until 2010, while increasing international cooperation to accelerate the building of coastal economic zones.
These economic zones are expected to contribute 15-20 percent of the country’s GDP and generate jobs for 1.3-1.5 million people by 2020.
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