Invest in a system of bridges connecting the islands for the special economic zone.

In Resolution No. 05-NQ/TU of the Provincial Party Committee on the direction and tasks for 2026, Quang Ninh province identified the need to continue to vigorously and comprehensively implement three strategic breakthroughs. These include developing and perfecting a synchronous, modern, and multimodal socio-economic infrastructure system, promoting regional and intra-regional linkages. Particular emphasis will be placed on building transportation and socio-economic infrastructure in the Van Don and Co To special economic zones.

To capitalize on the unique advantages of the Van Don Special Economic Zone and realize its goal of developing into a new-generation special economic zone, Quang Ninh province has been strongly attracting investment to Van Don. To accelerate the development of socio -economic infrastructure, in the period 2026-2030, Quang Ninh province is studying the Investment Project to build an inter-island connecting transportation route in the Van Don Special Economic Zone. This includes 9 bridges with a total length of 14.2km; the construction of 22km of new roads and the upgrading and expansion of the existing Tan Lap - Ban Sen road.

Quang Ninh province has developed two investment options. Option 1, with a total bridge and road width of 12m, has a total investment of approximately 8,570 billion VND. Under this option, 9 bridges, with a total length of 14.2km, would cost approximately 7,100 billion VND; 22km of new road construction would cost approximately 990 billion VND; and 440 billion VND would be used to expand the existing 22km Tan Lap - Ban Sen road. Option 2, with a total bridge and road width of 24m, has a total investment of 17,160 billion VND. This includes approximately 14,200 billion VND for the construction of 9 bridges; approximately 2,000 billion VND for the construction of 22km of new road; and 960 billion VND for expanding the existing 22km Tan Lap - Ban Sen road.

Quang Ninh province plans to build a sea bridge connecting the main Co To island and Thanh Lan island of the Co To Special Economic Zone, with a length of approximately 2km, expected to be implemented from 2027-2029.

It is known that on December 29th, the Van Don Special Economic Zone will hold inauguration ceremonies, groundbreaking ceremonies, and technical openings for several public investment projects totaling over 2,300 billion VND. Among these is the groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge project across the Mang River in Quan Lan commune, aiming to connect Minh Chau and Quan Lan islands and Ban Sen island, gradually addressing urgent transportation issues for both islands.

Affirming the importance of the Van Don Special Economic Zone, Comrade Quan Minh Cuong, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, emphasized that Van Don is a locality with a particularly important geopolitical and geo-economic position. To maximize its potential and advantages, the most important issue now is to have superior mechanisms and policies for Van Don, especially preferential mechanisms regarding investment management, finance, budget, land, marine economic development, and human resources. Quang Ninh will focus on building and implementing the Van Don Special Economic Zone project to become a new generation economic zone on par with the region and the world, a center for entertainment and cultural industries with casinos, high-end island and coastal tourism, and world-class comprehensive services; strongly developing logistics, maritime transport, free trade, high-tech industries, ecological agriculture, and the digital economy.

Along with the Van Don Special Economic Zone, Quang Ninh province is also allocating resources to develop the Co To Special Economic Zone into a green island, a civilized, modern, and environmentally friendly center for island and coastal tourism.

Quang Ninh province is focused on building a comprehensive and modern transportation and socio-economic infrastructure in the Co To Special Economic Zone, ensuring both socio-economic development and the strengthening of national defense and security during the 2026-2030 period. The province also plans to construct a sea bridge connecting the main Co To island and Thanh Lan island within the Co To Special Economic Zone, approximately 2km long, with construction expected to take place between 2027 and 2029.

Thanh Lan Island, covering an area of ​​approximately 27 km², is the largest island in the Co To archipelago and holds a particularly important strategic position in the Gulf of Tonkin. Around 1,600 people live on the island, primarily engaged in fishing and now beginning to develop tourism. The beaches and tourist attractions on Thanh Lan Island retain their pristine natural beauty.

Over the years, tourism and services in the Co To Special Economic Zone have developed strongly. There is a huge demand for travel between the main Co To island and Thanh Lan island, especially from international tourists. Currently, transportation between the two islands is by boat, with a one-way journey time of approximately 20 minutes in normal weather conditions. On days with rough seas and strong winds, travel is often disrupted, affecting tourism and exploration activities on Thanh Lan island.

We believe that, with special attention given to the province's two special economic zones, Van Don and Co To will transform their potential into strong development advantages in the coming time, thereby contributing to the overall growth of Quang Ninh province.

Peace

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/dau-tu-ha-tang-giao-thong-cho-dac-khu-3389971.html