Many advantages in location and infrastructure
After merging the three provinces of Lam Dong, Binh Thuan and Dak Nong, Lam Dong province has a new area of more than 24,233km2, the largest in the country, with nearly 3.9 million people. Currently, the province's administrative - political center is located in Da Lat.
Recently, the People's Committee of Lam Dong province has approved the general plan of Duc Trong commune with a scale of nearly 14,878ha, orienting development to 2050 according to the smart and green urban model, towards forming a new administrative - political center of the province.
According to experts, Duc Trong has advantages in terms of central location, inter-regional connectivity and development land fund, suitable for forming a modern administrative hub.
Mr. Huynh Ho Dai Nghia - public policy expert, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City - said: Compared to Da Lat, Phan Thiet, Gia Nghia or Bao Loc, Duc Trong has an advantage in its neutral position, helping to ensure relatively even access between regions.
According to him, if the administrative center is placed too skewed to one side, it will increase travel costs, reduce operational efficiency and limit regional linkages.
From the perspective of planning, Meritorious Teacher Khuong Van Muoi - former Head of the Planning Faculty, Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture - said: The development space of Lam Dong after the merger stretches from the highlands to the coast, in which major cities all have their own roles.
However, Duc Trong is considered more suitable for developing an administrative center thanks to its transport infrastructure advantages.
The locality has Lien Khuong International Airport, connecting National Highway 20 and expressways under construction, creating a convenient inter-regional network.
According to the plan, this area is also oriented to develop logistics, inland ports (ICD), Ms.
processing industries and research and development centers, creating a foundation for forming new growth poles.
Advantages for long-term development strategy
Experts believe that choosing an administrative center requires a long-term vision, not just meeting immediate needs.
Duc Trong is assessed to have more development potential than many existing urban areas thanks to its large land fund and favorable terrain conditions, allowing expansion of urban space in the future.
Meanwhile, Da Lat is under pressure on infrastructure, population and landscape preservation requirements; while Phan Thiet has a maritime economic advantage but is not favorable for developing a large-scale administrative center.
Dr. Vo Kim Cuong - former Deputy Chief Architect of Ho Chi Minh City - believes that the administrative center is a driving force to attract residents, investment and services, creating a spillover effect for urban development.
According to him, if it is located in Duc Trong, this locality will have more conditions to develop a new urban area, while helping Da Lat focus on tourism, resorts, education and landscape preservation.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Huynh Ho Dai Nghia said that reasonable allocation of roles between urban areas will help reduce pressure on Da Lat and promote the strengths of each region.
According to the plan, Duc Trong is oriented to become a nuclear city, an international gateway of the Central Highlands and a regional-level industrial - logistics center.
With the existing advantages, this locality is assessed to have many conditions to develop into a new administrative - political center of the province in the future.
