What to do for the Western provinces to grow?

Làm gì để các tỉnh miền Tây vươn mình? - Ảnh 1. — Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, An Giang Province (formerly Kien Giang Province) - Photo: QUANG DINH

After 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta merged into 6, a new development space opened up. This is not only a change in administrative boundaries, but also a pivotal moment to exploit the potential, strengths and mobilize resources of each locality.

Overall, the Mekong Delta is not only facing three "downward spirals" that the annual economic report of the Mekong Delta has pointed out: the spiral of investment shortage from the budget, the burden of food security on the regional economic structure and the spiral of human resource quality.

The West is still facing three obstacles: the decline of resources and environment with landslides, saltwater intrusion, and increasingly severe climate change; the weakening of economic strength with fragmented agriculture , slow industrial development, unsynchronized infrastructure, and the decline of human resources as young workers leave their hometowns, and the quality of training does not meet requirements.

To rise, the West must overcome these obstacles and downward spirals. But what is the way up for the Western provinces?

In the next five years, after Party congresses at all levels, it is necessary to resolutely implement four key groups of solutions.

First of all, repositioning localities on the national and regional development map. After the merger, it is necessary to review the planning and determine the competitive advantages of each province.

Central cities such as Can Tho and Phu Quoc must be placed in the Southeast Asian urban network, not just limited to the region. Proper positioning to mobilize and effectively use resources and develop key products is the foundation for real regional connectivity.

Next is institutional, policy and administrative reform. Localities must create a favorable investment and business environment, in line with the central government's reforms.

Qualified localities like Can Tho need to boldly propose special mechanisms but must implement them effectively, avoiding the slow refrain like the six groups of special mechanisms previously approved by the National Assembly for piloting, but after many years of implementation, "nothing has happened yet". Mechanisms only have meaning when they are actually put into practice.

Transport infrastructure, urban and rural areas continue to be the "key to opening doors" for localities. There can be no talk of regional connectivity if transport remains interrupted, urban development is fragmented, waste is congested, and flooding occurs frequently.

Key national projects such as the Western North-South Expressway, Chau Doc-Can Tho-Soc Trang Expressway, Can Tho-Ca Mau Expressway, Hon Khoai Port... must be accelerated and completed on schedule.

At the same time, new provinces and cities must also choose the right key projects, linked to new development spaces to create infrastructure boosts, paving the way for investment.

Human resources are the decisive factor for success or failure. Resolution 71-NQ/TW on education and training has opened the way for innovation.

Provinces need to reorganize the university, college and high school systems in a streamlined direction to improve quality.

The West cannot only train human resources for agriculture but must have a workforce that masters technology, adapts to digital transformation, serves the marine economy, urban areas, services and international integration.

The merged Western region will not only be larger in scale but also have greater opportunities to make a breakthrough. If we know how to take advantage of the new development space and synchronously implement four groups of solutions, this region can completely rise strongly and become an important growth pole of the country.

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TRAN HUU HIEP

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lam-gi-de-cac-tinh-mien-tay-vuon-minh-2025100808591944.htm