From a saline land with a poor life and dependence on the sea, Can Gio has now developed and diversified its industries, becoming a key area in the plan to the East of Ho Chi Minh City.
The 50-year journey of "changing skin and skin"
Looking back on the 50-year journey since the country's reunification, Mr. Nguyen Van Hong - Chairman of Can Gio District could not hide his pride in the miraculous changes of this land.
Before April 30, 1975, Can Gio was a district of Saigon city, with an enemy frontline military base, guarding the main waterway from the East Sea to Saigon. After April 30, 1975, Duyen Hai district was established from Can Gio district and Quang Xuyen district, under Dong Nai province. In 1978, Duyen Hai district (Can Gio) officially merged into Ho Chi Minh City, marking a historic turning point in the process of building and developing the district.
From a poor residential area with no electricity, the national grid has now covered the entire district, including Thanh An commune. From 30,000 people in need, low education levels are now expected to be no longer poor households according to national standards; the education system and school facilities are spacious, meeting the learning needs of all people. From health stations only used for first aid, the basic health system has now met the needs of treatment, and people's health care has been gradually guaranteed, increasingly improving quality.
From a barren land due to chemical toxins during war, Can Gio Sac Forest has now become a national conservation forest and recognized by UNESCO as the first World Biosphere Reserve in Vietnam, and is preparing a nomination for recognition as a Ramsar site.
More specifically, on September 26, 2022, the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee issued Resolution No. 12-NQ/TU on the development orientation of Can Gio district until 2030; In which, determining the goal of "building and developing Can Gio district to become a coastal city characteristic of a green, intelligent and environmentally friendly city, in which high quality resort eco -tourism is spearhead, system of technical infrastructure and social infrastructure is fast, improved people's lives, local state management apparatus are streamlined and efficient".
This is considered the second historic turning point of Can Gio district. On the other hand, the Central and Ho Chi Minh City are interested in and implemented many programs and projects is the socio -economic development motivation of the district such as: Research on the construction of Can Gio District International Transfer Port, Can Gio Bridge, Can Gio Beach Tourism Area (2,870ha), Action Program for Can Gio Green ... Besides, December 21, 2024, Prime Minister of Decision No. 1711 2030, vision to 2050; In which, Can Gio district planning is one of the development dynamic areas of Ho Chi Minh City.
"Can Gio District will take full advantage of the advantages of Resolution 98 and Resolution 12, gradually making Can Gio a new driving force to promote Ho Chi Minh City's development" - the District Chairman affirmed.
Free Trade Zone: Economic Boom and Different Advantages
Referring to the recently approved Free Trade Zone ( free Trade Zone - FTZ), the District Chairman expressed great expectations for this project. According to him, FTZ associated with Can Gio International Transit Port and Ganh Ri Bay will be an important tool to promote trade, investment and international economic integration, bringing many socio-economic benefits.
This is a quite new model in Vietnam. In countries such as Singapore, Malaysia..., there have long been Free Trade Zones and have been chosen by tourists as destinations for experience, tax-free shopping, super discount, along with a series of other entertainment activities... In Singapore, all types of development are associated with tourism, promoting the development of the "smokeless industry" ... and can be applied to Can Gio Free Trade Zone.
"In the spirit of Resolution No. 12-TU/NQ, Can Gio aims to become a green, smart, and environmentally friendly coastal city" - Mr. Nguyen Van Hong, Chairman of Can Gio District said.
The free trade zone in Can Gio will focus on key pillars such as eco-tourism, aquaculture, seaport logistics and renewable energy, maximizing the advantages of geographical location, natural landscape and cultural identity.
Compared to other FTZ areas, Can Gio has a unique advantage thanks to its unique mangrove ecosystem, great eco-tourism potential and important sea gateway location. To attract investors, the district will carefully research, develop appropriate strategies and propose attractive investment incentive policies such as tax exemptions and reductions, tax and fee incentives, favorable market access and free circulation of goods.
Can Gio Metro: opens up potential for connection and development
Ho Chi Minh City's work with Vingroup Corporation on the proposal to build a metro line to Can Gio, along with the planning of Metro Line 12 connecting District 7 to the Can Gio coastal urban area, is assessed by the district leaders as a breakthrough development opportunity.
"If the above plans are realized, it will open up great potential and development opportunities, not only promoting the socio-economic development of Can Gio district or Ho Chi Minh City but also forming a regional chain linkage system in the Southeast region and the whole country" - the Chairman of the district emphasized.
The metro line not only helps solve the problem of traffic connection, effectively exploiting land funds along the route, but also shape sustainable development for the area in the future, " awakening" the potential "golden forest, silver sea" of Can Gio, promoting the important eastern gateway position of Ho Chi Minh City.
In addition to the great opportunities, the Chairman of Can Gio district Nguyen Van Hong also acknowledged significant challenges, especially the balance between economic development and environmental protection, maintaining Can Gio as the "green lung" of Ho Chi Minh City and the world biosphere reserve. "When the development orientation, the central leaders, the city and the district always consider and determine not to trade at all costs but must compare economic benefits and environmental protection to develop in a sustainable direction," said Mr. Nguyen Van Hong.
With solid foundations and clear development orientation, Mr. Hong believes that in the future, Can Gio will have a new look and stature, becoming a modern, smart, ecological city, on par with major cities in the region and the world, while improving the material and spiritual life of the people, solving on-site employment and attracting domestic and international people to live and work.
