Creating a diverse economic ecosystem from strategic decisions and infrastructure

Lam Dong is facing promising development opportunities with a clearly planned roadmap and ambitious goals and is ready for a breakthrough. In 2025, the province aims to achieve a GRDP growth rate of 9-10%, raising GRDP per capita to 115-117 million VND. These are challenging numbers, but with high determination and synchronous implementation of solutions, Lam Dong believes it will realize this goal.

Lien Khuong - Prenn Expressway

• PLANNING TOWARDS A DIVERSE ECOSYSTEM

According to information from the Department of Finance of Lam Dong province, the provincial planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2045, is being prepared and will be submitted to the Provincial People's Committee to report to the Prime Minister for consideration of adjustment. This planning not only ensures consistency with national sectoral planning but also reflects sustainable development orientations, in line with global trends. One of the priority tasks is to complete the zoning plan in two key cities, Da Lat and Bao Loc. Completing the planning of Lam Dong province not only lays the foundation for sustainable local development but also creates an important premise to attract investment resources from within and outside the country.

Mr. Tran Hong Thai - Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, emphasized that the completion of the zoning plan of Da Lat and Bao Loc needs to be accelerated, with the goal of completing it within the next two months for submission to all levels for approval. The zoning plan not only serves as a foundation to attract large investment projects but also helps develop urban areas with their own characteristics, creating a source of economic growth for the province. Reasonable planning will strongly support the development of key economic sectors in Da Lat and Bao Loc. This will not only promote the local economy but also create more jobs and increase income for people. A systematic zoning plan will strengthen the connection between the two urban areas and other areas in the province, creating momentum for sustainable development.

The Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee also noted the importance of developing major projects along future highways, such as the highway connecting Lien Khuong and Bao Loc. Priority will be given to planning high-end resorts on existing land funds, while further expansion will be studied to meet the development needs of the province. Key projects or resorts along future highways will not only attract large investors but also open up many job opportunities and improve the quality of life for the people.

• MOTIVATED BY BILLION-DOLLAR INFRASTRUCTURE

Lam Dong has been and is in the stage of opening major roads for development, building highways to open the southern gateway, connecting routes to the Central Highlands, Southeast, and South Central regions. This will be a strategic step to pave the way for the breakthrough development of Da Lat.

Recently, the China Railway Bureau 2 has worked with Lam Dong province and proposed to participate in the project to restore the Da Lat - Thap Cham cog railway. This is one of the most special railways in the world, a heritage railway, a tourist railway with an average gradient of 12%, running on cogwheels, connecting Da Lat with the Central coast, creating a rare tourist highlight of mountain railways in the world. The Ministry of Transport has also issued a document approving the preparation of a dossier proposing the investment policy, the Pre-feasibility Study Report, under the public-private partnership (PPP) method with a total cost of 27,000 billion VND in 2022. The project was also approved by the Prime Minister after being included in the national railway network planning until 2050.

Lam Dong is also promoting the development of air tourism. In the period of 2021 - 2030, Lien Khuong International Airport will be a level 4E airport and a level II military airport; with a capacity of 5 million passengers/year and 20,000 tons of cargo/year. By 2050, Lien Khuong Airport is planned to be a level 4E airport and a level II military airport; with a capacity of 7 million passengers/year and 30,000 tons of cargo/year. At that time, high-end international tourists can fly directly to Da Lat, not inferior to major resort centers in the world. Traffic connecting Da Lat is not only focused on long-term development of both railway and air routes, but is also being heavily invested in roads with 2 expressways Tan Phu - Bao Loc and Bao Loc - Lien Khuong with a total length of nearly 140 km with an investment capital of about 37,000 billion VND (about 1.5 billion USD) are 2 of the key projects of Lam Dong province.

With the approach from Nha Trang, a nearly 81 km long highway project connecting Nha Trang - Da Lat has been proposed by Lam Dong and Khanh Hoa provinces to be completed early with a total investment of VND 25,058 billion (about USD 1 billion). When put into operation, it is expected to shorten the travel time from Nha Trang to Da Lat to 1.5 - 2 hours, making Da Lat closer to the sea than ever.

In addition, Da Lat has also invested heavily to upgrade its traffic infrastructure with bypasses, ring roads, and intersection renovations. The bypass route into Da Lat City from the foot of Prenn Pass to Xuan Tho Commune is being considered by Lam Dong Province authorities for design and implementation costs. These are all strategic steps to help Da Lat solve urban development problems, becoming more and more attractive and convenient.

• PAVE A BIG WAY FOR TOURISM TO MAKE A BREAKTHROUGH

According to experts, the development of Da Lat in recent times has not been commensurate with its potential as the most special city in Asia in terms of nature. In order for Da Lat to truly accelerate, the Lam Dong provincial government is determined to solve the problem of traffic infrastructure and accelerate the progress so that projects can soon come into operation.

A series of connecting highway projects will be a strategic step to pave the way for breakthrough development of Da Lat and Lam Dong, with tourism being the first spearhead industry. In 2024, Lam Dong will welcome its 10 millionth visitor for the first time, bringing in revenue of 18 trillion VND. These figures are assessed by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lam Dong as impressive and outstanding development. In the first quarter of 2025, estimated revenue from accommodation and food services is expected to reach 4,074 billion VND, up 10.07% over the same period; tourism revenue is expected to reach 15.2 billion VND, up 3.67% over the same period.

In particular, Da Lat has just welcomed a series of international brands such as the health care brand Chiva-Som from Thailand, making Da Lat a leading wellness center in Southeast Asia; or the international standard 5-star hotel complex InterContinental Hotels & Resorts will come into operation in 2027, contributing to solving the problem for luxury guests who want to relax and rest in the leading tourist capital of Vietnam on the world tourism map.

“The entire Lam Dong political system is working with the highest spirit and determination. The general principle and spirit is that whatever is needed for the province, how to make Lam Dong richer, more beautiful, and beneficial to the people, we are determined to protect it,” affirmed Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee Tran Hong Thai.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/kinh-te/202504/kien-tao-he-sinh-thai-kinh-te-da-dangtu-nhung-quyet-sach-chien-luoc-va-ha-tang-e4a49d0/