Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved adjus𝔉tments to the Hanoi Capital Region Construction Master Plan to 2030 with a vision to 2050.

The Hanoi Capital Region covers the capital city of Hanoi and the nine neighbouring provinces of Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Ha Nam, Hoa Binh, Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen and Bac Giang, with a total area of around 24,314.7 sq.m. Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen and Bac Giang were newly added to the plan under a decision on May 5, 2008. The modified master plan aims to meet requirements for development, planning management and investment to develop the region, to ensure the effective distribution of national resources, to limit side effects of urbanisation on living environments and the impact of climate change. The plan also seeks to meet demand for a modern integrated network of the region’s technical and social infrastructure, creating conditions for cities to drive the development of surrounding areas, to promote equal development between urban and rural areas and to ensure security. The adjustments to the plan also created a basis for the creation and adjustment of plans for provincial regions, regions along belt roads, inter-provincial expressways, regions and functional areas of specific features, overall plans for cities, plans for new-style rural areas and specific planning for technical infrastructure. Hanoi, Vinh Phuc and Bac Ninh, with their high rates of urbanisation, play central role with strengths in industry, human resources and infrastructure. As the Capital, Hanoi serves as the country’s political and administrative centre, and important cultural, educational, scientific and technological hub, and one of the economic, tourism, trade and service centres in the Asia Pacific region. By 2030, Hanoi’s urbanisation rate will reach 65-70 percent. Hai Duong, Hung Yen and Ha Nam provinces in the southeast of the Red River Delta will develop their transport and gateway advantages towards the sea with the corridor Ha Noi – Pho Noi – Hai Duong – Hai Phong as well as the economic triangle in south of Hanoi (Hung Yen – Dong Van-Phu Ly). The provinces will develop clean industrial parks, supporting industries, logistics, trade centres, health, training, sports and agri-product processing. Hoa Binh, Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen and Bac Giang are gateways for the Hanoi Capital Region to the midland and mountainous region in the north. Hoa Binh serves as an ecological and environmental protection area and takes a key role on national and inter-regional technical infrastructure like providing electricity and water, controlling floods and protecting water resources. Phu Tho will develop heritage cultural and ecological tourism areas while Thai Nguyen will develop health, education and training and tourism. Bac Giang will become a gateway for transporting goods from the Capital Region to the Huu Nghi international border gate in Lang Son province. It will also develop tourism areas like Tay Yen Tu, Ho Khuon Than and Ho Cam Son, and a business hub with northeast provinces of the northern midland and mountainous region.-VNA