Urban development in Thai Nguyen

The Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam sets the goal of achieving an urbanization rate of over 50% by 2026-2030. To contribute to the early implementation of the Party's resolution, Thai Nguyen province has been focusing on implementing many comprehensive solutions, striving to achieve an urbanization rate of over 55% by 2030.

A view of Bac Kan ward's urban area. (Photo: Tuan Son)

Breakthrough in development

Phan Dinh Phung Ward was established by merging seven wards of the former Thai Nguyen city. With an area of ​​over 14 square kilometers and a population of over 121,000 people, it is the largest administrative unit at the commune level in terms of population and also the "core" urban area of ​​Thai Nguyen.

For the 2025-2030 term, the Party Committee of the ward has identified three breakthroughs in development. Specifically, regarding urban management and development, the ward will strengthen efforts to ensure a bright, green, clean, and beautiful environment; implement comprehensive urban management and development solutions based on digital technology ; gradually build a modern and integrated technical infrastructure system; effectively coordinate the implementation of flood prevention and control measures; prioritize the development of green spaces, parks, public spaces, and parking lots; and build a civilized urban lifestyle, promoting the role of citizens in environmental protection, maintaining urban landscapes, and order.

6.6 hectares of prime land in the city center have been allocated by the ward for the development of a new urban area and a central pedestrian street. This is a key project of Thai Nguyen aimed at creating a new, modern, and iconic image for the city, which has long been home to numerous hospitals, universities, and industrial facilities. With a total investment of nearly 900 billion VND, the project will create a modern pedestrian street over 330 meters long and over 52 meters wide, situated between two rows of high-rise buildings; below is a nearly 2-hectare underground area for parking and commercial space.

According to the Phan Dinh Phung Ward Party Committee, the Ward Party Executive Committee has directed the development and implementation of a comprehensive urban development plan, focusing on attracting investment in green and smart urban infrastructure.

According to the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen province, after the merger, Thai Nguyen province has 23 urban areas, including: one type I urban area, one type II urban area, two type III urban areas, one type IV urban area, and 18 type V urban areas. The urbanization rate, calculated based on the inner-city population, reached 31.28%; and calculated based on the total urban population, it reached 48.26%.

Currently, 100% of urban areas in the province have approved master plans; the rate of approved plans for inner-city areas reaches 80-90% (of which, Song Cong and Pho Yen urban areas have reached 100%). Approved detailed planning projects in urban areas with high levels of urbanization serve as a basis for implementing investment in the construction of basic infrastructure and essential infrastructure, contributing to the formation of urban space and socio-economic development.

Turning potential into reality

The northern area of ​​Thai Nguyen province has a high forest cover rate and a clean climate, making it suitable for the development of eco-tourism and green urban areas. The central and southern urban areas are currently being planned and invested in, creating green, clean, and beautiful parks and gardens. With its favorable geographical location and transportation infrastructure connecting to other provinces in the region and Noi Bai Airport, many communes in Thai Nguyen have a significant advantage in developing into urban wards.

Thanh Cong commune serves as a gateway connecting major tourist centers such as Tam Dao (Phu Tho province), Nui Coc Lake, the provincial center, and Hanoi. Notably, the commune is traversed by the Bac Ninh-Thai Nguyen-Phu Tho road, creating favorable conditions for attracting tourism. With an area of ​​over 4,300 hectares and numerous lakes, such as Suoi Lanh, Co Phi, and Bach Long Vy, nestled among tea plantations and orchards, Thanh Cong has great potential for successful urban development linked to ecotourism. It is also one of the communes identified by Thai Nguyen province for potential upgrade to a ward within this term.

According to Comrade Nguyen Thanh Tung, Secretary of the Party Committee of Thanh Cong commune, the locality has all the necessary conditions – favorable timing, geographical advantages, and human resources – to become a center for eco-tourism and resort development. The commune's Party Committee has identified and is focusing its leadership and guidance on realizing this goal by 2035. The commune is concentrating on completing the tourism development plan in conjunction with land use planning and urban planning, and investing in upgrading connecting transportation: expanding regional connecting roads, building intra-commune tourist routes, connecting with Suoi Lanh Lake, Glory Golf Course, the western industrial zone of Pho Yen, and historical and cultural relics…

Also in line with the development orientation of becoming a ward during this term, Dinh Hoa commune proactively "took the lead" in preparing the land. The commune Party Committee issued a specialized resolution to implement land clearance and attract investment for the construction of the inter-commune road connecting Trung Luong-Dong Thinh-Dinh Bien-Bao Linh-Thanh Dinh-Binh Yen and the project to restore the service road of the Ho Chi Minh Highway. In addition, to attract investment in the construction of commune cluster centers, industrial clusters, residential areas, service-tourism areas, etc., the commune has decided that once projects are approved, it will actively coordinate implementation and accelerate progress; and will have a plan to mobilize the people to clear the land and welcome investment.

To promote urbanization, Thai Nguyen province has issued Project No. 19-DA/TU on urban development and essential infrastructure for the period 2026-2030. Accordingly, the province aims to have 31 wards by 2030, including 15 existing wards and 16 wards upgraded from merged communes; the urbanization rate of the entire province will reach over 55%. The goal is to have at least 15% of urban areas and housing complexes built to meet the criteria of smart cities; at least 3 urban areas meeting the criteria of technology cities; the rate of civilized urban streets reaching over 60%; and to invest in the construction of 3 to 5 new urban-level parks and squares...

According to Provincial Party Secretary Trinh Xuan Truong, the province's development orientation is for urban areas to become political, administrative, economic, cultural, social, and scientific-technological centers, driving economic development in urban areas, creating a cumulative effect, and closely connecting and linking with rural areas; and to achieve a high quality of life in urban areas.

In the coming period, Thai Nguyen will invest over 32,000 billion VND to prioritize the construction of 19 key and important transportation projects and routes. Simultaneously, priority will be given to investing in 9 clean water supply plants; 4 cemeteries; 4 wastewater treatment plants and stations; Song Cau Park (Quan Trieu ward); landscape improvement of Gia Sang Lake (Gia Sang ward); and the development of 7,000 new 5G base stations… Thai Nguyen is striving to become a centrally-governed city in the near future.

TUAN SON

Source: https://nhandan.vn/phat-develop-urban-areas-in-thai-nguyen-post946351.html