Ba Ria–Vung Tau promotes regional links, strives for double-digit growth

The conference was chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, chairman of the Southeastern Region Coordination Council. Also attending were Nguyen Van Nen, Politburo member and secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, along with various ministers, leaders of central government agencies, and leaders of provinces and cities in the southeastern region, including Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, and Tay Ninh.

The fifth Southeastern Region Coordination Conference took place in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province

Delegates representing provinces and cities participated in discussions and proposed solutions to address specific issues, such as the construction of the Can Gio International Transshipment Port; the International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City; the development of the Long Thanh International Airport ecosystem; the connection of Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 4; the Ho Chi Minh City – Moc Bai Expressway linking the Cambodia border; Con Dao Airport; and a flood prevention project in Ho Chi Minh City.

Efforts to develop regional transportation linkages

At the conference, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province reported on initiatives to promote regional connectivity through infrastructure development, including ports in the southeastern region and the regional council's operational plans for 2025. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Chinh, as well as the support of various central government ministries and agencies, the region’s transportation infrastructure has received attention and investment. These investments have been aimed at connecting provinces within the region and between regions, leading to significant developments that serve as the foundation for boosting economic growth.

Currently, the province is also working closely with localities in the region to implement investments in the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 4 project, linking Cai Mep International Port, Long Thanh International Airport, and passing through Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City, and Long An. This will form an economic corridor, a free trade zone for logistics, industry, and ports, connecting the national transportation system and expanding the development space with both regional and inter-regional areas. The province has already invested in routes connecting the port and Ring Road 4, with a total investment of approximately $299.2 million, of which $126 million has come from the central government budget and $173 million from the provincial budget.

Aiming for double-digit growth

Nguyen Van Tho, chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, recommended that the government and the PM, continue to balance the central government budget and provide additional support so that provinces in the southeastern region can develop more rapidly.

Nguyen Van Tho, chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province

Aiming for double-digit growth for the entire southeastern region, Ba Ria-Vung Tau has identified key tasks for 2025. The province will accelerate the implementation of economic, social, national defence, and security development tasks and solutions, striving to complete the goals outlined in the Economic-Social Development Plan.

At the same time, the province will finalise and submit proposals to the government and the PM for approval. Furthermore, the province will work to establish the Cai Mep Ha Logistics Centre for cargo consolidation, customs clearance, and handling, to support the Cai Mep - Thi Vai Port area. The province will also continue to effectively implement tasks and solutions to improve the institutional framework for regional economic and social linkages, and will collaborate on proposals to amend and supplement special mechanisms for the development of the southeastern region.

Additionally, the province will strengthen cooperation and regional development linkages with neighbouring provinces in infrastructure development, environmental protection, tourism, seaport development, and industry, to promote growth across the region and beyond. The province will continue to collaborate with the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, and relevant central ministries, to submit pre-feasibility study reports on the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 4 project to the government. The province will also cooperate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to research and establish a national and international offshore wind power industrial centre.

In concluding the conference, the Prime Minister praised the efforts of Ba Ria-Vung Tau in implementing transportation connectivity projects. The Prime Minister assigned the province the task of continuing to coordinate with relevant ministries, such as the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, to study and build the Cai Mep Ha Free Trade Zone and the wind power centre.

Ba Ria – Vung Tau to develop modern seaports, logistics services A workshop was held in the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau on June 18 to seek ways to develop seaports and logistics services, which are important components of the local economy.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau's potential convergence for industrial and seaport development Well-developed connections for transport infrastructure and seaports are becoming an important economic pillar of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, contributing to increasing the attractiveness of the southern province to domestic and foreign investors.

Over 170,000 DWT container ship docks at Ba Ria – Vung Tau’s deep-water port The container ship MSC Giusy, with a gross tonnage exceeding 170,000 DWT, on April 11 docked at the deep-water port SSIT in the Cai Mep-Thi Vai complex, the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.