Defining development targets for six key economic regions

The Prime Minister has issued decisions approving adjustments to the planning of six key economic regions for the period 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050, setting out specific development targets for each region across the country.

The six regions covered are: the Midland and Northern Mountainous Region; the Red River Delta; the North Central Coast; the South Central Coast and the Central Highlands; the Southeast Region and the Mekong Delta.

Midland and Northern Mountainous Region: green development and connectivity

Under Decision 610/QD-TTg, the Prime Minister approved adjustments to the Midland and Northern Mountainous Region planning for 2021–2030 with a vision to 2050. The planning scope includes Cao Bang, Dien Bien, Lang Son, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Son La, Thai Nguyen and Tuyen Quang.

By 2030, the region is targeted to be green, sustainable and comprehensive, with a synchronized and modern infrastructure system, resilience to climate change, and improved internal and inter-regional links, alongside efficient international connectivity. The plan also positions the region as a hub connecting Southeast Asia with China, Central Asia and Europe, and as a center for agricultural production, tourism and industry.

Localities are expected to achieve high growth, with some provinces among the country’s more developed. The plan also emphasizes preserving and promoting ethnic cultural identities, improving living standards and welfare, and ensuring robust national defense and security.

Red River Delta: growth driven by science, technology and innovation

Under Decision 612/QD-TTg, the Prime Minister approved adjustments to the Red River Delta region planning for 2021–2030 with a vision to 2050. The scope includes Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh and the sea space defined by law.

By 2030, the Red River Delta is expected to become a fast-growing, sustainable region with a rational economic structure and strong cultural identity. Science, technology, innovation and digital transformation are identified as the breakthroughs and main growth drivers, supported by coherent and modern infrastructure.

Hanoi is set to develop along a path of culture and modernization, serving as a catalyst for regional and national growth and aiming to be on par with capital cities of developed countries in the region.

North Central Coast: focus on the marine economy

Under Decision 613/QD-TTg, the Prime Minister approved adjustments to the North Central Coast region planning for 2021–2030 with a vision to 2050. The scope includes Hue City, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri and the offshore space defined by law.

By 2030, the North Central Coast is targeted to be a fast-growing, dynamic and sustainable region with a strong marine economy. Per-capita income is targeted at the upper-middle level, with science, technology and innovation as the main growth drivers.

The plan calls for synchronized, modern infrastructure that is resilient to natural disasters and climate change, along with growth in major coastal industrial and service centers, coastal economic zones and coastal urban systems meeting national and regional standards.

South Central Coast and Central Highlands: sea–highland–border linkages

Under Decision 614/QD-TTg, the Prime Minister approved adjustments to the South Central Coast and Central Highlands region planning for 2021–2030 with a vision to 2050. The scope includes Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong and the offshore space defined by law.

By 2030, the region is expected to be fast-developing and sustainable, leveraging sea–highland–border linkages. The plan targets a rational and gradually modern economic structure and an attractive destination for coastal, highland, ecological and cultural tourism.

It also notes that some localities in the region are expected to lead nationally in science, technology, innovation, tourism, logistics and financial services.

Southeast Region: advancing high-tech industry

Under Decision 615/QD-TTg, the Prime Minister approved adjustments to the Southeast region planning for 2021–2030 with a vision to 2050. The scope includes Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Tay Ninh, plus the offshore space defined by law.

By 2030, the Southeast region is targeted to become a civilized, modern region with advanced industry and the country’s largest growth engine. The plan positions the region as a center for science, technology and innovation, high-tech industries, digital technologies, logistics and an international financial center with strong regional competitiveness.

It also calls for a modern, synchronized infrastructure system to support breakthrough growth and interconnected development.

Mekong Delta: sustainable agricultural economic center

Under Decision 616/QD-TTg, the Prime Minister approved adjustments to the Mekong Delta region planning for 2021–2030 with a vision to 2050. The scope includes Can Tho, An Giang, Dong Thap, Ca Mau and Vinh Long, plus the offshore space defined by law.

By 2030, the Mekong Delta is targeted to become a sustainable, dynamic and highly efficient center for the agricultural economy at national, regional and global levels. The plan emphasizes developing agriculture hubs, economic corridors and dynamic urban centers concentrating services and a diverse range of industries supported by integrated infrastructure.

It also highlights developing the sea economy and tourism, strengthening intra-regional and inter-regional connectivity, focusing on science, technology and innovation, raising the quality of human resources, and creating a sustainable living environment with a high quality of life for residents.

The planning framework further calls for preserving the region’s unique and diverse cultures and ensuring political stability, defense and security.