The expressway facilitates the comprehensive development of logistics services serving Central Vietnam, the Central Highlands, and countries along the East-West economic corridor. Photo: Ngoc Hoa

The North Central and Central Coastal regions of Vietnam are unique in that they contain most of the world's cultural and natural heritage sites, such as the My Son Sanctuary, Hoi An Ancient Town, Hue Imperial City Complex, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Hue Royal Court Music, and Bai Choi folk art. In addition, numerous beaches and natural cave systems are significant advantages for attracting tourists and contributing to the development of the tourism and service industry. This also forms the basis and foundation for local areas in the region to collaborate in tourism development.

The "Three Localities - One Destination" model of tourism in Central Vietnam can be seen as a vivid manifestation of regional linkage, a crucial issue for promoting the economic development of each locality in particular and the region in general. According to Associate Professor Dr. Le Van Dinh, regional linkage refers to regular and stable cooperative relationships in activities (with a focus on key economic sectors) carried out by localities and units within a region, based on the principles of voluntariness, equality, and mutual benefit, aiming to maximize potential and advantages while ensuring benefits for participating localities. It is expressed in various forms, such as sectoral linkages, linkages between functional entities, and spatial linkages (including intra-regional and inter-regional linkages).

Regional linkages, one of the top priorities in socio-economic development in our country in recent years, are also an important topic mentioned in the documents of the 13th National Party Congress. In 2022, the Politburo also issued six resolutions on socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security until 2030, with a vision to 2045, covering six regions: the Northern Midlands and Mountains; the Mekong Delta; the Central Highlands; the Southeast; the North Central and Central Coastal regions; and the Red River Delta.

The North Central and Central Coastal region comprises the North Central sub-region with 5 provinces (Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri), the Central Central sub-region with 5 provinces and cities (Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh), and the South Central sub-region with 4 provinces (Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan). The Regional Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, recently approved by the Prime Minister, has created a basis for implementing regional linkages. Thua Thien Hue is envisioned as a centrally-governed city, the central urban area of ​​Central Vietnam, and a national-level city characterized by its heritage and culture. Hue is also envisioned as a major national center for culture, science, specialized healthcare, and education.

The Resolution of the 16th Provincial Party Congress identified the need to strengthen linkages and leverage the unique potential and advantages of Thua Thien Hue province in accordance with the socio-economic development plan of the Central Vietnam key economic region. This includes, in particular, cultural exchange and linkages in tourism development; high-tech agriculture; biotechnology; medical science and treatment; and addressing issues such as climate change, environmental pollution, and sea level rise. The resolution also stressed the importance of strengthening linkages and constructing coastal roads; completing expressways connecting localities within the Central Vietnam key economic region; and linking seaports and airports with Da Nang to create an international trade gateway, comprehensively developing logistics services to serve Central Vietnam, the Central Highlands, and countries along the East-West economic corridor.

American billionaire Warren Buffett famously said, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." Buffett's point is that in business, you need independence and decisiveness, but also teamwork and smart choice of partners. Buffett is the world's most successful investor, consistently ranking in the top 10 according to Forbes magazine, with an estimated net worth of $104 billion (as of March 2023). Our ancestors, on the other hand, had a more colloquial and folk saying: "One tree alone cannot make a forest; three trees together can make a high mountain." Ultimately, the meaning remains the same: collaboration is key to development.

Nam Dinh