Developing Quảng Ninh into a modern, smart city

Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà has signed Decision No. 606/QĐ-TTg approving the master plan task for Quảng Ninh City, covering the period to 2050 with a vision to 2075.

Planning scope and phased implementation

The master plan task defines the planning scope as the entire province’s administrative boundaries, including 54 commune-level units: 22 communes and 30 wards, together with two special zones, Vân Đồn and Cô Tô. The plan will be implemented in phases: by 2040, by 2050, and with a long-term vision to 2075.

Development objectives and urban model

The plan sets out a development direction for Quảng Ninh to follow a model of a modern, smart, green, and sustainable city. It aims to position Quảng Ninh as a national growth pole, create breakthrough development momentum in the new era, and pursue sustainable long-term growth with broad appeal and international competitiveness.

The framework emphasizes balancing economic, social, and environmental factors, and promoting governance of sustainable urban development with a distinctive identity. It also focuses on resource protection and climate-change adaptation, while supporting momentum for the country’s ascent and sustainable development.

Key development directions

The master plan task outlines how Quảng Ninh’s development directions align with national macroeconomic strategy and regional development foundations. It establishes a legal basis for managing urban and rural planning, and provides a framework for policies to create development drivers and support the preparation and adjustment of general planning, sub-planning, detailed planning, urban development programs, and investment management.

It also highlights roles for Quảng Ninh as a coastal city, a heritage area, and an international gateway. The plan aims to advance a smart city model with green, civilized, modern characteristics and national distinctiveness, integrating maritime, border, and heritage elements into a complete urban ecosystem.

In addition, the plan supports space and infrastructure for developing coastal cities and marine-based economies, high-tech industries, innovation, digital transformation, and a green transition. It also calls for strengthening regional connectivity while ensuring national defense, security, border protection, and international cooperation.

Urban positioning and strategic role

Under the plan, Quảng Ninh is oriented to become a Class I city and a modern coastal economic hub with international reach in Southeast Asia. It is also positioned as a national and international tourism center, a modern industrial center, and a service and commercial hub connected to marine sectors with high international competitiveness.

The plan further frames the region as a coastal-border-heritage-green-smart city and a key national transportation hub, linking domestic and international economic corridors. It also notes the strategic importance of the area for national defense, security, border protection, energy security, and national development security.

Population and tourism forecasts

The plan forecasts that by 2050 Quảng Ninh is expected to welcome 30–31 million visitors.

• Population: around 2.0 million by 2030; 2.4–2.5 million by 2040; about 2.8–3.0 million by 2050.
• Tourist arrivals: about 25–26 million by 2030 (foreign visitors about 7.0–7.5 million); 28–29 million by 2040 (foreign about 8.0–8.5 million); 30–31 million by 2050 (foreign about 9.0–10.0 million).