The ancient capital of Hue is oriented towards the sea.

The 120km long coastline is a 'treasure' for Hue to expand its development space towards the sea, gradually making breakthroughs to become an important pillar in economic development.

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These days, the Thuan An sea bridge (Thuan An ward) has become a new "check-in" spot in Hue City, attracting a large number of locals and tourists to visit and experience it.

This bridge, which was recently opened to traffic on April 30th, has become the longest sea bridge in Central Vietnam (2.36 km), creating an architectural highlight and symbolizing Hue's growing reach towards the sea.

For the local people, the image of the completed bridge being put into use is a great joy after many years of waiting. It not only makes travel more convenient but also brings hope for a new look for the coastal area of ​​Hue, opening up more opportunities for economic and tourism development and improving living standards.

“Looking at the magnificent bridge spanning the sea, everyone is delighted. We clearly feel the changes in our homeland. The bridge has created favorable conditions for people to trade and do business, and young people have more opportunities to work in services and tourism right in their hometown, without having to leave the coast to make a living elsewhere. Hopefully, in the future, there will be more investment projects in tourism, services, and the marine economy so that people's lives will become even more prosperous,” Mr. Tran Van Minh (Thuan An ward) confided.

The Thuận An seaport overpass has just been opened to traffic, creating an architectural highlight and contributing to the development of the marine economy. Photo: Văn Dinh.

The Thuan An sea bridge, part of the coastal road project through Thua Thien Hue province (now Hue City) with a total investment of nearly 3,500 billion VND, was from the outset identified not just as a simple transportation project but as a driving force for socio-economic development, tourism, and coastal urban development in Hue. The road running along the coast creates a completely different development space compared to traditional transportation axes that follow national highways and the city center.

With its 120km long coastline and the Tam Giang - Cau Hai coastal lagoon system, the largest in Southeast Asia, Hue has recently focused on investing in the development of its marine economy. In particular, the Chan May deep-water port has three berths in operation and is investing in the construction of berths 4 and 5, while also seeking investment for berths 6, 7, and 8. This is gradually enhancing its role as a logistics gateway, facilitating the formation of a coastal service-industry-tourism chain. Meanwhile, the newly constructed Thuan An fishing port not only provides impetus for the development of seafood harvesting but also creates a logistics infrastructure system for the fishing industry serving the local area and other provinces and cities in Central Vietnam.

In the coastal landscape of Hue, the Chan May - Lang Co economic zone cannot be overlooked, as it is one of the eight key national coastal economic zones, identified as a driving force for growth in Hue City and the Central region. Dozens of large investment projects, especially FDI projects, have contributed to changing the face of the southern part of the city.

The Chan May deep-water port is receiving significant investment, gradually enhancing its role as a logistics gateway and facilitating the formation of a coastal service-industry-tourism chain. Photo: Van Dinh.

To develop its marine economy, Hue has been investing in many "highways" from the city center towards the sea, such as Phu My - Thuan An, Cho Mai - Tan My, and the western part of Tam Giang lagoon…

The transportation infrastructure in the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon area has also seen remarkable development. Previously, the area was isolated, with people primarily traveling by boat. Now, many sturdy bridges have been built, opening up new opportunities for socio-economic development in the lagoon and coastal region.

According to the upcoming plan, three bridges crossing the Tam Giang lagoon will also be invested in with a total capital of thousands of billions of VND. In the period 2026-2030, Hue City will continue to invest in bridges in coastal and lagoon areas, contributing to the completion of the transportation system, opening up new development opportunities, and promoting the development of the marine economy and tourism.

Expanding the scope is essential.

For a long time, Hue's urban development has primarily revolved around the historical urban axis along the Perfume River. However, as inner-city land becomes increasingly scarce and pressure on infrastructure grows, expanding urban space towards the sea is seen as a necessary step to create room for future growth.

Hue City leaders survey projects in coastal and lagoon areas. Photo: Van Dinh.

According to the plan, the central area is Hue city, the north is Phong Dien and the south is Phu Loc, connected with satellite cities in Quang Dien, Phu Vang… will form a chain of coastal tourism cities, industrial and high-tech cities, connected with seaports and Phu Bai international airport...

The Prime Minister's decision approving the Thua Thien Hue Provincial Planning (now Hue City) for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, identified the coastal plain as a driving force and breakthrough area for key economic sectors: marine economy, industry, trade, services, tourism, etc. The coastal corridor adjacent to the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon is a crucial space with potential and advantages for economic development.

“The coastal transportation system, including coastal routes, ring roads, radial routes, and connecting axes for seaports, airports, and the national railway, is identified as the foundation for modern urban development, regional connectivity, and integration. We will continue to advise the Hue City People's Committee to prioritize investment in coastal projects that will both create momentum for development and enhance adaptation to climate change,” said Mr. Vo Le Nhat, Director of the Hue City Department of Construction.

Hue is envisioned as a heritage city that harmoniously integrates rivers, lagoons, and the sea, gradually realizing its goal of becoming a strong maritime economic center in the Central region and the whole country. Photo: Van Dinh.

Chairman of the Hue City People's Committee, Nguyen Khac Toan, affirmed that Hue cannot develop solely based on its heritage and old spaces. Hue must be a heritage city harmoniously integrated with rivers, lagoons, and the sea. Opening up development towards the sea opens up new opportunities, but it must be accompanied by strict management and harmonious development between the economy, social welfare, and the environment.

The city focuses on developing marine tourism and services, maritime economy, effectively utilizing the seaport system in conjunction with tourism activities, promoting sustainable aquaculture and fisheries, and combining this with the development of distinctive coastal tourism products…

“Hue continues to mobilize investment resources, attract strategic projects, and at the same time review and improve planning and enhance the effectiveness of marine governance. With strong political determination and the foundations already built, the city expects to maximize its maritime advantages, gradually realizing the goal of becoming a strong marine economic center of the Central region and the whole country,” Mr. Toan emphasized.

From June 4-6, 2026, in Cua Lo ward (Nghe An province), the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the People's Committee of Nghe An province, will organize a series of communication events in response to World Environment Day (June 5), World Ocean Day (June 8), the Month of Action for the Environment, and Vietnam's Sea and Islands Week 2026.

1. National Forum on Environment and Climate - From Policy to Action

- Time: 8:00 AM, June 5, 2026

- Location: Vinpearl Cua Hoi, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province.

- To participate online: ID: 942 6837 3034. Password: KH0605.

2. National Workshop “Improving Institutions and Policies to Promote Sustainable Marine Economic Development”

- Time: 2:00 PM, June 5, 2026

- Location: Vinpearl Cua Hoi, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province.

- Online participation: ID: 934 2999 5099. Password: HT0506.

3. Art program “Vietnam's Sea - A Journey to Green Space”

- Time: 8:00 PM, June 5, 2026

- Location: Binh Minh Square, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province.

4. National Launch Ceremony in response to World Environment Day, World Ocean Day, the Month of Action for the Environment, and Vietnam's Sea and Islands Week in 2026; Launching the movement "All citizens join hands to protect the environment, for a green, clean, and beautiful Vietnam"

- Time: 6:00 AM, June 6, 2026

- Location: Binh Minh Square, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province.

5. Blue Economy Exhibition - Sustainable Agriculture and Environment

- Time: From June 4-6, 2026

- Location: Binh Minh Square, Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An Province.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/co-do-hue-xoay-truc-huong-bien-d814276.html