The Da Nang master plan for its major developments by 2030, with a vision to 2045, along with the city’s planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, have clearly demonstrated the city's nuclear role in promoting the development of the key economic zone in Central Viet Nam.

Da Nang identifies the marine economy as the driving force for developing and forming a chain of development linkages in the central key economic zone. IN PHOTO: The Da Nang Port is ending point of the East-West Economic Corridor, playing an important role in the movement of goods. Photo: TRIEU TUNG

Deploying local planning as a development lever

In his remarks at a meeting in August to review the implementation of the Politburo-adopted Resolution No 39 dated August 16, 2004 regarding the socio-economic development and ensuring national defence and security in the North Central and Central Coast regions, municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh emphasised Da Nang has been playing a nuclear role in promoting the development of the central key economic zone.

Da Nang boasts a favourable geo-economic - political position to become a part of the global supply chain in the context of exploiting the East - West Economic Corridor and connecting with the Pacific - Indian Ocean region. Also, the city has a great advantage of developed urban infrastructure, whilst its marine economy and logistics services are being developed.

The city’s development perspective to 2030, with a vision to 2045 is to create closer linkages in regional economic development, with a focus on 3 main pillars, namely tourism associated with real estate and international event centres; knowledge economy and high-tech industry associated with creative urban construction, start-up, information technology industry, electronics and telecommunications associated with the digital economy; and forming a high-quality service centre comprising seaports and airports associated with logistics services, and an international financial centre at regional scale.

Da Nang eyes to turn itself into a major socio-economic hub of the country and Southeast Asia by 2030, and into a big, eco, smart, identity and sustainable urban centre.

The growth rate of the city's gross regional domestic product (GRDP) during the 2021-2030 period is expected to reach 10%/year. Meanwhile, the per capita income of the city will be US$4,809 /person/year by 2025, and US$7,000 - 7,500/person/year by 2030. The rate of urbanisation by 2030 will reach 85.5% of the total area.

According to Director of the municipal Department of Planning and Investment Tran Thi Thanh Tam, the city has paid special attention to making a planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, with contents upholding regional economic development and linkages. Importance has been attached to preparing for economic development strategies in the direction of key priorities for each locality in the zone but associated with competitive advantages of the whole region such as exploiting and using the seaport system, high-tech products , supporting industries, logistics services, and tourism ecosystem.

Awakening potential of marine economic development

After COVID-19, Da Nang has still remained an attractive destination for visitors from both home and abroad. In addition, Da Nang plans to build the Lien Chieu Port to fully tap its potential of marine economy.

According to Director of the City Department of Natural Resources and Environment To Van Hung, tourism, marine services and maritime will be the main economic sectors in the zone.

He stressed the need for the zone’s localities to review and restructure marine economic sectors in a sustainable manner; strengthen linkages, development cooperation and management of marine resources and environment; as well as proactively monitor and effectively respond to climate change.

Director of the Centre of Socio-Political Research under the Institute of Social Sciences in the Central Region Phan Thi Song Thuong underlined the must-do for the zone to implement the seaport development planning in the region towards close and synchronous linkage in a relationship of mutual development. The focus should be on developing a main port, particularly the Lien Chieu Port, which will connect with ports in the zone, the whole country and the region.

Heed should be paid to developing an inter-provincial transport network connecting logistics centres and seaport systems, perfecting the legal framework in the management of seaports, and building a model of port management and investment suitable to the characteristics of each locality in the zone.

Sharing the same opinion, the Da Nang Institute for Socio-Economic Development Research Huynh Huy Hoa said that the advantage of the central key economic zone is the marine economy. He also underlined the necessity for Da Nang to soon complete coastal tourism routes, highways, etc. to promote the linkages in the zone associated with investment attraction and modernity of Chan May and Lien Chieu seaports. This will contribute to helping Da Nang become a regional and international-scale marine economic hub.

Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang suggested the Party Committee of the local People's Committee coordinate with other localities in the zone, especially Quang Nam Province, to build and develop road, railway, aviation and seaport systems, organise tourism promotion activities in key and potential markets, and protect environment and adapt to climate change. Notably, the bilateral coordination with Quang Nam Province will be fostered, aiming to develop the University of Da Nang into a National Da Nang University in the near future.

Reporting by TRIEU TUNG - Translating by M.DUNG