Building a smart and modern city of Phan Thiet. Part 1

Phan Thiet, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is striving to build a smart and modern city, like many other cities nationwide. However, many shortcomings remain, especially regarding environmental issues, requiring coordinated efforts from all levels and sectors.

Lesson 1: The appearance of a livable city

Famous for its beautiful scenery and beloved by many both domestically and internationally, Phan Thiet is striving to build a green, smart, and modern city.

A corner of Ong Dia Rock Beach - a popular destination for many tourists.

"The magnet"

Phan Thiet, located on the East Sea coast, comprises 18 wards and communes, including two key tourist areas: Ham Tien and Mui Ne. Phan Thiet is considered one of Vietnam's most livable cities, not only for its beautiful natural scenery but also for its warm climate year-round. Therefore, many people from regions and countries with cold winters, such as Northern Vietnam or even Europe, choose to come here for relaxation, residence, study, and work. Among them, many have purchased homes for permanent residence or invested in properties combined with tourism businesses in Ham Tien and Mui Ne. Ms. Ngoc Van, a resident of Hanoi currently living in Mui Ne, stated that she has traveled extensively but found no place she likes as much as Phan Thiet, leading her to decide to buy a house and settle there.

For Peter and Anna, Swiss nationals, Mui Ne is like a second home. They say that every year, in late autumn as winter approaches, they pack their bags and return to Mui Ne, except for the years when the Covid-19 pandemic prevented them from going home. They stay from October to April at the Seahorse resort in Ham Tien ward. They are among many European tourists who enjoy coming here to relax, admire the scenery, explore the city's beauty, and escape the cold winter in their home countries. Their holidays often last throughout the winter, especially for the elderly.

While the summer season primarily attracts Vietnamese tourists, this has changed in recent years, following the Covid-19 pandemic. International visitors have decreased due to the impact of the pandemic and conflicts in some parts of the world . Nevertheless, Phan Thiet remains a magnet for tourists, especially during the end of the year and the summer months. According to statistics from the Phan Thiet City Department of Culture and Information, during the 2024 Lunar New Year alone, approximately 95,000 visitors came to Phan Thiet for sightseeing and relaxation, with the Ham Tien - Mui Ne area accounting for about 32,000 visitors, a 15% increase. Prior to that, in 2023, the number of visitors exceeded 6 million, a 20% increase. Of these, approximately 200,000 were foreign tourists, a 1.5-fold increase compared to the same period in 2022.

Expand the city, revamp its appearance.

With these advantages, and with the attention of all levels and sectors, especially the provincial level, Phan Thiet has made efforts to upgrade its infrastructure and beautify the city to meet the needs of a Class I urban area by 2025. To date, the city's appearance has changed significantly, with a comprehensively planned and expanded transportation infrastructure, and well-built parks and urban facilities providing more green, clean, and aesthetically pleasing spaces. Accordingly, the city has repaired and upgraded Nguyen Dinh Chieu road, from Da Ong Dia to Hoang Ngoc resort, and is continuing with the remaining section; upgraded and repaired Doi Duong - Thuong Chanh Park; beautified the Phan Thiet Water Tower Park complex; and many other modern roads and facilities… As of the end of 2023, the total number of tourism investment projects approved by the Provincial People's Committee in the city that remain valid is 200 projects, with a total registered area of 2,612.82 hectares. Many projects are operational and under construction… Security is ensured, the administrative reform environment is friendly, simple, timely, and increasingly effective, reflecting the characteristics of a smart, modern city on the path of development.

*A view of Phan Thiet today. Photo by Ng. Lan*

According to Phan Nguyen Hoang Tan, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phan Thiet City, in implementing Plan No. 41 of the Provincial People's Committee on the project "Building a smart city in Binh Thuan province, giai đoạn 2019 - 2025, with a vision to 2030," stemming from practical requirements, the city is focusing on prioritizing the development of a pilot smart city in four areas: e-government, tourism, security and safety, and urban planning and management.

During the first working session of 2023 with the Standing Committee of the Phan Thiet City Party Committee, the provincial leaders also agreed on the principle of continuing to research and develop a plan to expand Phan Thiet City. The planning must aim to build Phan Thiet into the economic, political, cultural, scientific, and educational center of the province, and into a smart and modern city.

Phan Thiet City was recognized as a type II urban area in 2009 and is currently in the process of upgrading its criteria and aiming for type I urban status by 2025. The development of a smart city holds significant meaning, aiming for a better life for its residents.

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