Can Tho towards ecological urban area, modern agriculture

Over the past 80 years, Can Tho Agriculture and Environment sector has made great strides, thanks to the contributions of generations of persistent cadres, businesses and farmers.

In the new era, after the merger, Can Tho City clearly defines its role as the center of the Mekong Delta region, aiming to maximize its potential and advantages for development, becoming the modern, green and sustainable agricultural capital of the region.

Can Tho City identifies agriculture and environment as key areas with an organic relationship, both as the foundation for ensuring livelihoods and as the core element of sustainable development.

Can Tho has set a vision to become a modern, ecological, high-tech agricultural center by 2030, and a center for innovation and coordination of green, circular, low-emission agricultural development for the entire region by 2045. To clarify these orientations, a reporter from the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen - Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City.

With the spirit of solidarity, innovation and aspiration to rise up, along with the support of people, businesses and localities in the region, Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen - Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee believes that "Can Tho portrait in 2045" will be the image of an ecological urban area - a modern agricultural center - a green, sustainable and prosperous environment. Photo: Kim Anh.

Sir, after the merger, Can Tho City is expected to better promote its role as the center of the Mekong Delta region, notably exploiting the core values ​​and advantages of a “modern and sustainable agricultural capital”. Could you share the city’s strategic vision on the direction of agricultural and environmental development in the current period?

In the agricultural sector, the city focuses on restructuring towards increasing added value, shifting from traditional production to high-tech agriculture, organic agriculture and digital agriculture. Concentrated production areas are formed in association with processing, logistics and consumption of agricultural products. Key products such as rice, seafood, and specialty fruits are organized in a closed value chain, meeting export standards, traceability and developing regional brands.

Along with that, the city promotes the development of green economy and circular economy through the reuse of agricultural by-products, bioenergy production, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and protection of water resources. Investment programs in wastewater and waste treatment infrastructure, tree planting and development of urban ecological space are prioritized to build an ecological - smart city, effectively adapting to climate change.

Another important pillar is to strengthen regional connectivity and international cooperation. Can Tho proactively coordinates with the provinces in the region in production planning, supply chain development and logistics infrastructure, while expanding the attraction of private investment and FDI enterprises in the fields of green agriculture, biotechnology and renewable energy.

Agriculture and Environment are key sectors, with an organic relationship, and are the foundation for ensuring livelihoods, the core factor for sustainable development of Can Tho City. Photo: Kim Anh.

With the spirit of initiative - creativity - responsibility, Can Tho City is determined to promote its role as a coordinating center, leading the development of modern agriculture and sustainable environmental protection in the Mekong Delta region, actively contributing to the goal of developing a green economy, a circular economy and sustainable growth of the country.

The expansion of administrative boundaries certainly poses new requirements for resource management, land, urban and rural planning. Could you share the operating principles and long-term vision to ensure harmonious development without overlap?

After the reorganization, Can Tho City has a natural area of ​​6,360.83 km². The merger of administrative boundaries and the establishment of the new Can Tho City is a strategic step to promote the development of the Mekong Delta region. However, this process poses many challenges in resource management, land, urban and rural planning. Thereby, the city will implement a number of necessary operating principles and long-term visions to avoid overlap and ensure sustainable development as follows:

Regarding the operating principles: The city will clearly define and decentralize the functions and tasks of the government levels (city, commune, ward) after the merger to avoid the situation of "one job, many places to manage". Synchronize planning; establish and adjust the planning of Can Tho city; establish a general plan for the city after the merger (according to the law on urban and rural planning); review needs, determine land use targets, establish land use plans at all levels; technical and social infrastructure will be integrated into a unified system, with inter-regional nature between the merged areas.

Unify cadastral data and maps, build a digital data system on land, resources, and planning to serve centralized and transparent management; strengthen inter-sectoral coordination between departments, branches, and sectors, especially in the fields of agriculture and environment, construction, transportation, investment, and industry.

The arrangement of administrative units creates a large development space for Can Tho City. Photo: Kim Anh.

Regarding the long-term vision: Develop according to the expanded Can Tho urban model towards the "regional urban" model - connecting old and new centers with a transportation system, public services, and modern technical infrastructure. On the basis of preserving and promoting local identity, maintaining cultural values, history, and typical customs of Soc Trang, Hau Giang, and Can Tho (old).

Promote green economy and smart agriculture; rural planning needs to be associated with high-tech agricultural development, protection of river ecosystems and climate change adaptation.

Training and capacity building for staff; building a team of staff with management capacity, understanding of planning, integrating and using digital technology in operations.

After 80 years of developing the Agriculture and Environment sector, what are your expectations for the "portrait of Can Tho in 2045" - an ecological agricultural city, the economic - cultural - green environmental center of the region?

Over the past 80 years of establishment and development, the Agriculture and Environment Department of Can Tho City has made great strides, closely linked to the development of the city and the Mekong Delta region. We highly appreciate the great contributions of generations of cadres, businesses and farmers who have persistently preserved and nurtured Can Tho agriculture to continuously develop, becoming an important foundation for the city's socio-economic development today.

Regarding the "hundred-year vision" - by 2045, we expect the "portrait of Can Tho" to be an ecological - smart agricultural city - developing harmoniously between economy, culture and environment, playing a central role in coordinating and leading sustainable development of the entire Mekong Delta region.

It will be a Can Tho where agriculture is not just about production, but a modern agricultural economy, based on high technology, innovation and circular economy. Production areas will be planned intelligently, linked with deep processing, green logistics and high-value exports. Farmers will no longer just “farm”, but become knowledge-based agricultural entrepreneurs, mastering technology, data and markets.

Regarding the environment, Can Tho aims to build an ecological, green, clean and low-emission city, where urban development is in harmony with nature, rivers, trees and indigenous cultural heritage. Every project, every residential area, every production and business activity is associated with the awareness of environmental protection and sustainable development.

Can Tho City aims to become a center for research and innovation in green agriculture and environmental technology in the Mekong Delta by 2045. Photo: Kim Anh.

At the same time, we aim that by 2045, Can Tho will become a center for research and innovation in green agriculture and environmental technology in the region, a place where knowledge, science and high-quality human resources converge to serve the common development of the Mekong Delta.

I believe that, with the spirit of solidarity, innovation and aspiration to rise up, together with the companionship of people, businesses and localities in the region, "Can Tho portrait in 2045" will truly be the image of an ecological urban area - a modern agricultural center - a green, sustainable and prosperous environment.

Thank you!

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Agriculture and Environment Day and the 1st Patriotic Emulation Congress, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will organize a series of events from July to December 2025. The focus will be on the 80th anniversary of the Agriculture and Environment sector and the 1st Patriotic Emulation Congress, held on the morning of November 12, 2025 at the National Convention Center (Hanoi) with more than 1,200 delegates attending. Agriculture and Environment Newspaper will broadcast this event live.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/can-tho-huong-toi-do-thi-sinh-thai-nong-nghiep-hien-dai-d781156.html