Government chief: Da Nang must aim to become special Vietnamese city

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the meeting (Photo: VGP)

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made these remarks whilst chairing a meeting on the adjustment of the city’s master planning to 2030 with a vision towards 2045.

Upon appreciating the quality of the central city's master plan adjustment project, PM Phuc noted that in the near future, Da Nang is destined to become a special Vietnamese city, joining the likes of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, the planning, adjustment, and implementation of the master planning must be fully oriented towards local people, serving national development interests, while not allowing corruption or group interests to occur.

The master plan for the city towards 2030, with a vision ahead to 2045, was first adopted back in 2013. After seven years of implementing the project, Da Nang city has seen fast development. However, as a means of implementing the Politburo's Resolution No. 43 dated January 24, 2019, on the construction and development of Da Nang to 2030, with a vision to 2045, and to meet relevant development needs, the PM has agreed to allow the city to adjust the master plan project.

Upon addressing the meeting, the municipal leader said that Da Nang has hired a professional company from Singapore to advise the project on adjusting the master plan towards developing the central city into a modern, green, and eco-friendly place in response to the request from the Politburo’s Resolution 43. The city has also organised an array of seminars and meetings to collect opinions of specialised agencies, inpiduals, and businesses.

Ministry of Construction representatives, along with those from other relevant ministries and agencies in charge of the project appraisal, said that to adjust general planning, the central city has calculated socio-economic statistics, and provided a thorough assessment of natural conditions. This is in addition to looking at the environment and development orientation in an effort to enable Da Nang to become a centre for tourism and services, along with the regional marine-based economy.

The cabinet leader outlined that the adjusted master plan deals with the limitations of the original 2013 scheme, while paying close attention to green development alongside orientations for space planning and modern infrastructure, contributing to creating an economic hub in the nation’s central regions.

The Government leader also asked the city to deal with the local wastewater problem without causing pollution to the marine environment, a very important factor in protecting nature in Da Nang. Along with this, greater attention should be paid to tackling the issue of climate change, along with clarifying the relationship of Da Nang with localities such as Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue, and Quang Binh. This should be done whilst clarifying the position of national defence and security, thereby striving to achieve the concept of making Da Nang both a vibrant and safe city.

In relation to the city’s development in the long term, the PM has stated that Da Nang must focus on developing many fields, rather than just services. Indeed, the city should adopt a policy to attract technology and industry projects to minimise environmental damage and ensure sustainable development, while also avoiding negative growth in case of fluctuations.

Along with general planning and detailed plans which will be deployed by the city in the near future, PM Phuc has stated the need to combat group interests when implementing and adjusting planning, especially with regard to detailed plans. He also underlined the need to stamp out corruption, and other negative phenomena when focusing on master planning adjustment and the implementation of detailed planning.

The Government leader has therefore assigned the municipal Party Committee, the People's Council, and the municipal administration to develop a public and transparent management mechanism to monitor master planning. The Ministry of Construction and other agencies will periodically supervise the implementation of the master plan, while other ministries and agencies must create favourable conditions for Da Nang to develop infrastructure, including seaports and airports, PM Phuc emphasized.