Proposed mechanism
On June 25, General Secretary To Lam and the Central working delegation worked with the Standing Committees of the Quang Binh and Quang Tri Provincial Party Committees.
The two provinces have proactively coordinated to develop a project to merge at the provincial level, reorganize the apparatus, and streamline the organization and personnel. At the meeting, localities proposed that the Politburo issue a Resolution on special mechanisms for the North Central region, especially for localities with heritages such as Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park.
Quang Binh province proposed to use Vietnam's aid to Laos to invest in the route from Na Phau to Kham Muon, serving trade through Cha Lo international border gate. Issues related to redundant headquarters and personnel arrangement have also been gradually handled effectively by the two provinces.
The General Secretary highly appreciated the efforts of Quang Binh and Quang Tri; emphasized that the merger is not only administrative but also a continuation of the tradition of solidarity, opening up opportunities for modern economic development, connecting the East - West, North - South corridors, taking advantage of the advantages of the sea, port, airport, and border gate. The new province will develop sectors such as marine economy, supporting industry, renewable energy, logistics and professional tourism. It is necessary to develop tourism associated with Phong Nha - Ke Bang, Con Co, La Vang, Thach Han. The General Secretary requested to review appropriate institutions and planning; promote digitalization and start-ups; pay attention to young people, women, and farmers, especially in remote areas.
General Secretary To Lam suggested that the preparation for the new Provincial Party Congress should be scientific, not mechanical, demonstrating an inter-regional vision. Quang Binh has the strength of eco-tourism, clean industry, digital transformation; Quang Tri is strong in renewable energy, logistics, and agricultural and forestry processing. The merger will create a production - consumption chain, taking advantage of Hon La port, My Thuy and coastal economic zones. High-tech agricultural belts, ecological urban areas, and industrial parks can be synchronously planned.
Coming to a new growth pole
The new province needs to review integrated development planning, promote additional strengths between the two localities; identify development axes such as coastal areas, seaports, urban areas; midlands, industry, services; mountainous areas, agriculture, eco-tourism. Dong Hoi needs to be planned to become an administrative, operational and public service center.
A large infrastructure network will be an ideal condition for logistics, supporting industry, and freight transit. The nearly 200km long coastline should be planned as a key tourist cluster to increase budget revenue, create jobs, and attract investment. It is necessary to focus on investing in essential infrastructure in remote areas.
The General Secretary noted that the new Quang Tri has a large area and uneven distribution of population, it is necessary to review institutions, policies, and unified planning according to Resolution 66-NQ/TW; promote decentralization and innovation of coordination between the center and remote areas.
Comprehensive digital transformation to overcome the dispersed area and digitalization of key economic sectors. The province needs to invest in innovation centers connecting with universities and research institutes; build mechanisms to support young people and ethnic minorities to access vocational education; strengthen economic integration, promote the position of the gateway to the East - West economic corridor.
According to General Secretary To Lam, the province needs to grasp the situation of the grassroots, ethnic minority areas, and border areas, promptly handle arising situations, and ensure security and order at economic zones and border gates. Propaganda work must be promoted, legitimate information must be disseminated, trust must be strengthened, and consensus must be created so that the merger can become a strategic lever to help Quang Tri rise to become a new growth pole of the North Central region.
