Resolution 27-NQ/TW: Reshaping Vietnam regional development

Phu Quoc Special Zone in An Giang Province is to be developed into an internationally oriented services, tourism and ecological center

The resolution identifies regional development as a means of organizing national growth, restructuring development space, allocating resources and strengthening national competitiveness in the new context. It calls for a unified reorganization of national development space by clearly defining the role, position, function, advantages, identity and development mission of each region within the country’s overall development toward sustainability.

Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Politburo member and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Policies and Strategies, said Resolution 27-NQ/TW aims to restructure, manage and effectively utilize regional development space in coordination with national development space. This will be based on maximizing the distinctive advantages, competitive strengths and cultural identities of each region and locality; strengthening the leading and spillover roles of key regions, economic corridors and growth poles; ensuring strategic autonomy, energy, food and water security; improving people’s material and spiritual well-being; firmly safeguarding national defense and security; and protecting the country’s independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

Resolution 27 sets development targets through 2030 for six socioeconomic regions, with priority given to developing economic corridors that connect key regions, major cities and economic centers, including the North-South Economic Corridor based on the eastern North-South transport axis; the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong-Quang Ninh Economic Corridor; and the Moc Bai (Tay Ninh)-Ho Chi Minh City-Bien Hoa (Dong Nai)-Vung Tau (Ho Chi Minh City) Economic Corridor, while gradually forming and developing other economic corridors over the longer term.

For the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region, the development orientation focuses on processing and manufacturing and energy, with priority given to mechanical engineering, electronics and digital technology, while strengthening logistics services by leveraging border gates and international railway routes. High-tech and organic agriculture will be developed, along with the Thai Nguyen-Phu Tho industrial belt, gradually forming a regional growth center focused on industry, urban development and services in Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho and surrounding areas.

For the Red River Delta, the region is to pursue rapid, sustainable and inclusive development as a key growth region for the country, focusing on cultural industries, electronics, digital technology, semiconductor chips, artificial intelligence, automobile manufacturing, supporting industries, commercial services, logistics, finance, banking, tourism, telecommunications, high-quality training and specialized healthcare. Hanoi is to become a green, smart and modern city, bringing together cultural excellence while integrating more deeply into the international community. The Hai Phong-Quang Ninh area is to be developed into a modern, internationally oriented marine economic center.

For the North Central Region, the development orientation focuses on oil refining and petrochemicals, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, automobile and supporting industries, agro-forestry-fishery processing, and renewable energy. The goal is to develop renewable energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG) centers, data centers and high-tech industries; strongly develop the marine economy, seaports, coastal economic zones and industrial parks, with priority given to coastal economic zones and logistics services. Hue is to become a distinctive center for culture, tourism and specialized healthcare, science and technology, and high-quality education and training; the coastal areas of Thanh Hoa-Nghe An-Ha Tinh provinces are to be developed into an industrial center for the region and the country; and the Cau Treo-Vung Ang (Ha Tinh) Economic Corridor is to be gradually formed to connect localities in Laos with seaports in Ha Tinh and Quang Tri provinces.

For the South Central Coast and Central Highlands, the focus is on strongly developing mechanical engineering, agro-forestry-fishery processing and renewable energy, as well as ecotourism, resort and cultural tourism linked to the preservation and promotion of the cultural values and identities of Central Highlands ethnic groups. Da Nang is to be developed as a major growth pole for the country and a modern, smart and livable coastal city, while Khanh Hoa is to be developed into a centrally administered city.

For the Southeast Region, the focus is on strongly developing mechanical engineering, petrochemicals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, new materials, electronics, semiconductor chips, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital technology industries, as well as the marine economy, port logistics services, oil and gas extraction and processing, oil and gas industry services, and marine and island tourism.

The Southern Growth Region is expected to lead the country and the region in economic, financial, commercial, service, healthcare, education and training, science and technology, innovation and digital transformation development, as well as financial and banking services. Ho Chi Minh City is to become an internationally oriented megacity based on a polycentric, multi-center model, with smart and modern infrastructure and governance systems.

For the Mekong Delta, the focus is on developing a diverse agricultural economy, with priority given to ecological, circular and multi-value agriculture that is commodity-oriented, modern and large-scale, linked to processing industries and product branding, while accelerating the development of digital and smart agriculture. Phu Quoc Special Zone (An Giang) is to be developed into an internationally oriented services, tourism and ecological center, with infrastructure projects, particularly projects and works serving APEC 2027, to be completed urgently. Can Tho City is to become a growth pole.

Resolution 27 sets out 10 groups of key tasks and solutions to develop regions and reorganize national development space, focusing on organizing regional development space and effectively implementing regional planning; comprehensively completing institutions for regional development; renewing growth models and developing new economic drivers for regions; developing modern, coordinated and interregional socioeconomic infrastructure; and developing modern urban systems and regional growth poles. It also calls for developing high-quality human resources and accelerating science and technology, innovation and digital transformation; developing culture and society and ensuring comprehensive social welfare; protecting the environment and adapting to climate change; strengthening national defense and security; promoting foreign relations and international integration; and building and strengthening the Party and political system.

Regarding key targets, by 2030, average GRDP growth is set at 9-10% for the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region; 11% for the Red River Delta; 10% for the South Central Coast and Central Highlands; 10-11% for the Southeast Region; and 9-9.5% for the Mekong Delta.

By 2045, the regions are envisioned to develop through digital, green, data and circular economies, supported by coordinated, smart, green and safe infrastructure that is highly resilient and seamlessly connected. Science and technology, innovation and digital transformation will serve as the main drivers of growth and development. The long-term target for 2045 is to establish at least five internationally oriented cities serving as hubs for connectivity and development within regional and global networks.