The Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee has just signed a decision approving the integrated component of the study of the economic development linkage model in the urban chain of Hue - Da Nang - Chu Lai - Ky Ha (Quang Nam) - Dung Quat - Van Tuong (Quang Ngai) - Quy Nhon to build Da Nang into a central urban area in this large urban chain, and at the same time, turning Da Nang into a growth pole, an important driving force playing a role in promoting the socio-economic development of the North Central and Central Coast regions, and the North Central Highlands region.

Da Nang with modern transport infrastructure will be the development centre of the region. Photo: THANH LAN

One of the highlights of the above-mentioned decision is to innovate thinking about regional development linkage, intra-regional urban chain development linkage, considering regional development linkage as an inevitable trend, a driving force connecting and guiding the development of localities in the region in terms of leadership, direction and operation, thereby promoting the linkage of urban areas to form a chain to open up new development space, maximizing the potential and advantages of each locality, especially the advantages of key economic sectors.

In particular, importance will be attached to promoting the potential and strengths of each locality in the urban chain, contributing to promoting rapid economic growth and sustainable development, strongly developing industries and services, especially focusing on developing high-tech industries, high-value-added service sectors at regional and international scales, prioritizing the development of the marine economy...

The goal is to build Da Nang into one of the major socio-economic centre of Viet Nam, and Southeast Asia at large, with a central role in startups, innovation, tourism, trade, finance, logistics, high-tech industry, information technology (IT), supporting industry; one of the developing science and technology centres of Viet Nam; a centre for organising regional and international events; a seaport city; an international coastal city acting as the core of the urban chain and the growth pole of the North Central and Central Coast regions, the North Central Highlands region and reaching the level of the Asian region; an ecological, modern and smart urban area; a livable city.

To achieve this ambitious goal, the decision also sets out the orientation for organising linkages and cooperation for mutual development. With a regard to spatial linkage, the economic sector will form and develop the dynamic region of the central region, including the coastal area (district-level areas from the North-South expressway in the east to the sea) in the provinces and centrally-run cities: Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, with Da Nang city positioning itself as the growth pole.

Regarding the urban chain, focus will be on building an urban system including Da Nang and neighbouring urban areas, developing Da Nang into a growth pole, an important driving force, playing a role in promoting the socio-economic development of the North Central and Central Coast regions, the North Central Highlands region, building Da Nang into a central urban area in the urban chain of Hue - Da Nang - Chu Lai (Ky Ha) - Dung Quat (Van Tuong) - Quy Nhon.

The Da Nang International Airport. Photo: THANH LAN

In addition, linking the development of tourism, industry, agriculture, transportation and logistics, along with the marine economy in the urban chain, is an overall strategy to optimize the potential and advantages of each locality, creating synchronous and sustainable development for the Central region of Viet Nam.

According to Head of the Authority of the High-Tech Park and Industrial Zones (DHPIZA) Vu Quang Hung, Da Nang is not only the “heart” of the central region but also the economic - cultural - scientific nucleus, playing a key role in the inter-regional development strategy and international integration.

With a system of preferential policies from the Vietnamese Government and geographical advantages, the city is striving to become a symbol of dynamism and creativity, leading the North Central and Central Coast regions towards a sustainable future.

Da Nang possesses a rare strategic location, in terms of international trade, with Lien Chieu and Tien Sa ports (two deep-water seaports) receiving large tonnage ships, directly connecting with international shipping routes.

The Lien Chieu Port will become an international transit port, soon turning the Lien Chieu area into an international transit gateway, participating in the global transport supply chain. Located on the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC), Da Nang is a bridge between Viet Nam and Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, opening up opportunities for cross-border cooperation.

The approval decision made by the Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee also identifies the orientation of urban chain linkage through key economic sectors such as tourism linkage. In addition, there are linkages in the industry such as forming an industrial production chain linking Chan May - Lang Co Economic Zone (Hue) - Da Nang High-Tech Park - Chu Lai Open Economic Zone (Quang Nam) - Dung Quat Economic Zone (Quang Ngai) - Nhon Hoi Industrial Park (Quy Nhon).

The decision also provides guidance on agriculture, transport, logistics and marine economic linkages,
In particular, to implement the plan, the city needs to focus resources and coordinate with national agencies to accelerate the implementation of key and driving projects as a basis for investment attraction such as the construction of the Lien Chieu port; the relocation of the railway station and urban redevelopment; the completion of infrastructure for the High-Tech Park - Phases 2 and 3; the operation of the Software Parks No. 2 and No. 3 and the Da Nang Concentrated IT Park (Phase 2) and the operation of such industrial parks as Hoa Cam (Phase 2), Hoa Nhon and Hoa Ninh.

Reporting by PHUONG UYEN - Translating by A.THU