Decision No. 18/2009/QD-TTg Approves the Master Plan for the Overall Development of the Economy and Society in Vietnam's Coastal and Marine Areas in the Gulf of Thailand until 2020

Pursuant to …;

Approving the Master Plan for the Overall Development of the Economy and Society of the Coastal and Marine Areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand Period up to 2020

Approving the Master Plan for the Overall Development of the Economy and Society of the Coastal and Marine Areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand Period up to 2020 with the main contents as follows:

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PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Considering the proposal of the Ministry of Planning and Investment at the report No. 514/TTr-BKH dated January 22, 2008, opinions of relevant ministries, sectors, and localities on the Master Plan for the Overall Development of the Economy and Society of the Coastal and Marine Areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand Period up to 2020,

DECISION:

Clause 4 of Article 6Approving the Master Plan for the Overall Development of the Economy and Society of the Coastal and Marine Areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand Period up to 2020 with the main contents as follows:

I. SCOPE OF THE PLAN

The coastal and marine areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand include the marine and continental shelf under the sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand, together with islands located thereon and the adjacent mainland coast comprising two cities: Ca Mau, Rach Gia; thirteen coastal districts and towns: U Minh, Tran Van Thoi, Phu Tan, Cai Nuoc, Nam Can, Ngoc Hien (Ca Mau), Ha Tien town, Kien Luong, Hon Dat, Chau Thanh, U Minh Thuong, An Bien, An Minh (Kien Giang) and two island districts: Phu Quoc, Kien Hai (Kien Giang), with a population of 1,935 thousand people, accounting for 67.3% of the population of Ca Mau and Kien Giang provinces.

II. DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

- Developing the coastal and marine areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand into a dynamic economic region contributing to the prosperity of the western coastal and marine area of the country, while connecting with other coastal regions nationwide to form a fast-developing coastal economic belt from Mong Cai to Ha Tien, promoting and pulling the inland areas to develop.

- Forming a Coastal Economic Corridor in the Gulf of Thailand as a pillar to promote the development of the entire Region, creating a foundation for transportation development, expanding relations with the outside world in a proactive and effective manner.

- Building Phu Quoc Island into a dynamic development area, a large and modern marine economic center (initially a high-end marine and island eco-tourism resort), a "bright spot" in the national economy and Southeast Asia.

- Forming and developing some leading marine industries including: exploitation, breeding, and processing of aquatic products, marine tourism, exploitation and processing of gas... reaching relatively modern levels comparable to those of countries in the region.

- Achieving an economic growth rate of 1.35 to 1.4 times the national GDP growth rate. By 2020, raising the material living standard of the people in the Region fivefold compared to now; contributing approximately 5.0 to 5.5% to the GDP; about 18 to 19% to the total aquatic product output and 22 to 23% to the export value of aquatic products of the whole country. Reducing the poverty rate (according to new standards) from 14% currently to below 10% in 2010 and below 3% in 2020.

- Completing universal secondary education before 2010 and universal upper secondary education before 2020; increasing the proportion of trained labor to 25% in 2010 and 55 to 60% in 2020, completing the national standard health program before 2015.

- By 2010, 100% of communes have roads to their centers (except for island communes), 85 to 90% of households have access to electricity, 95% of the population can watch television, 100% of urban residents in the Region have access to clean water, 80% of rural residents have access to hygienic drinking water; by 2015, 100% of households will have access to electricity and be able to watch television, 100% of rural residents will have access to hygienic drinking water.

III. DIRECTION FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF ECONOMIC SPACE

To achieve the above goals, the direction for development and organization of economic space of the Region until 2020 is as follows:

1. Direction for organizing economic space

a) Building the Coastal Economic Corridor in the Gulf of Thailand as the backbone to promote the development of the entire Region:

- Concentrating on building the Coastal Economic Corridor in the Gulf of Thailand (from Nam Can - Ca Mau to Rach Gia - Ha Tien), gradually forming an important driving force in the southernmost coastal area of the country with high growth rates, strongly integrating with neighboring countries, serving as a driving force for the development of the entire Region, while having a strong spillover effect on inland areas.

- Implementing the construction of a coastal traffic corridor through three countries Vietnam - Cambodia - Thailand (within the framework of the Greater Mekong Subregion Cooperation), connecting with the economic axis from Nanning (China) - Lang Son (Vietnam) - Singapore to expand cooperation and trade among countries in the region. The coastal traffic corridor through the three countries Vietnam - Cambodia - Thailand, of which the section within Vietnam's territory is 244 km long from Xa Xia border gate (Kien Giang) to Ca Mau city basically coincides with National Highway 80 and National Highway 63 and will be upgraded to Class III level in the delta; sections passing through cities will reach Class I or bypass roads will be constructed.

- Developing leading industries with advantages such as industry, aquaculture, marine tourism, and services. Promoting cooperation among countries around the Gulf of Thailand, especially in areas such as infrastructure construction, tourism development, trade, investment, finance, banking, exploitation of marine resources, and maritime transport. Expanding cooperation between the Coastal Economic Corridor in the Gulf of Thailand and ASEAN countries, international organizations, and regional cooperation organizations to create conditions for rapid development of this Coastal Economic Corridor.

b) Building Phu Quoc Island into a Comprehensive Marine Economic Zone as a Strong Marine Economic Center of the Country and the Region:

- Concentrating on developing Phu Quoc Island into a Comprehensive Economic Zone (a special administrative-economic unit directly under the Central Government), a strong marine economic center of the country and Southeast Asia.

In the short term, urgently building Phu Quoc Island into a complete high-end marine and island eco-tourism resort with a significant scale in the region. Developing diverse types of tourism, sports, and entertainment both on the island and at sea. Constructing several high-end complex entertainment centers (including casinos) to attract a large number of tourists, particularly international visitors. Strengthening cooperation with countries around the Gulf of Thailand to open air and sea routes from Phu Quoc to major urban centers and large tourist areas of countries in the region.

- Rapidly develop various service forms, especially trade, finance, banking services and other high-end services related to tourism, gradually building Phú Quốc into a major trading and financial center in the region. Construct modern trading centers in Dương Đông, Dương Tơ, and An Thới; develop domestic and international conference and seminar services...

- Develop forestry and agricultural production on the island in an ecological direction, creating scenic landscapes for tourism. Maintain the scale of marine product exploitation in the area, expanding to further sea regions. Vigorously promote aquaculture, particularly high-value economic species, specialties, ornamental fish... around the islands to directly serve tourists while combining sightseeing, tourism, and export. Quickly establish and effectively operate a Marine Protected Area serving tourism.

- Develop food and beverage industries, consumer goods production, jewelry, souvenirs, mechanical repair services serving maritime transport, fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing... Form several industrial clusters at appropriate scales in Dương Tơ and An Thới with clean and high-tech industries serving tourism and export. Upgrade and expand existing cities; invest in constructing new urban areas in Dương Tơ to become a trading, financial, cultural, and tourist center for the entire region.

- Develop infrastructure towards modernization to meet the development requirements of the Island, focusing on high-level tourism and service development and ensuring security and defense. Quickly construct transportation systems, airports on the island, and port systems... Focus on building main roads across the island from An Thoi - Dương Đông - Bai Thom; ring roads around the island and branch routes to tourist sites and residential areas. Construct cruise ports in Dat Do Bay, Dương Đông Port, Bai Vuong; cargo ports in An Thoi, Vinh Dam and other suitable passenger ports to serve the arrival and departure of tourists. Implement construction of the international airport in Dương Tơ (with a capacity of about 2 million passengers/year) to be operational after 2010. Build diesel power plants, develop wind and solar energy, construct submarine cables to supply electricity to the island and a unified power grid throughout the island... Construct other technical infrastructure such as water supply and drainage, postal and telecommunications services... to meet rapid development needs and ensure security and defense on the island.

c) Develop coastal urban systems:

- Accelerate urbanization, build some coastal cities into strong marine economic centers, advance towards the sea centers, and growth nuclei of each region to promote marine and island economies.

- Concentrate on developing central cities of the Region into strong marine economic centers to move towards the sea and closely connect with inland areas.

+ Build Rach Gia City into a strong marine economic center, a large and modern fishing base of the country, and a solid basis to promote comprehensive exploitation of the Southwestern Sea of the country.

+ Develop Ca Mau City in conjunction with the Ca Mau Gas-Electric-Ammonia Industrial Park and satellite cities, forming a large urban cluster and a strong economic center in the East.

+ Build Ha Tien into a large tourism and service center of the Region; simultaneously a modern border city in the southwestern border of the country.

- Build other cities in concentrated marine exploitation areas such as Nam Can, Song Doc, Kien Luong - Hon Chong, Phu Quoc... into coastal hub cities, strong advance-to-the-sea centers to expand comprehensive exploitation of the Gulf of Thailand region, combined with ensuring security and defense. Study the establishment of the Nam Can Economic Zone to fully leverage the potential and advantages of the area, driving the development of Ca Mau Province and the coastal and marine areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand.

- Reasonably plan the development of other cities. Combine upgrading and expanding existing district towns with building new cities along the coast such as Tan An, Dat Mui, Ham Rong, Khanh Hoi, Hon Da Bac (Ca Mau), U Minh, Xeo Nau, Ba Hon (Kien Giang)..., creating growth nuclei of each region. Form many medium and small-sized cities, gradually forming a network of coastal cities closely connected with each other and linking coastal areas with inland areas, promoting industrialization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas. The development of the urban system in the Region must have a long-term vision (beyond 2020) to provide sufficient space for city upgrades and expansions in subsequent stages.

d) Develop island economies in line with the roles, functions, and potentials of each island:

Continue to vigorously promote migration to islands, especially important forward positions like Tho Chu, Nam Du, and some islands in the extreme southwest adjacent to Cambodian waters... to develop island economies combined with protecting maritime sovereignty security. Focus investments on building infrastructure on islands, especially essential infrastructure projects to encourage residents to settle and develop island economies. Shift the island economy structure towards prioritizing advantageous sectors such as marine product exploitation, aquaculture, fishing services, tourism, and marine services...

Quickly and comprehensively build urban infrastructure on Hon Tre Island, ensuring its function as the county seat of Kien Hai District. Invest in building Tho Chu Island into a large fishing service center for the entire region. Plan some large and important islands like Hon Tre, Hon Rai, Hon Nghê, Nam Du, Hon Khoai... into economically developed islands, simultaneously solid bases to ensure national defense, security, and sovereignty over maritime and island regions of the country.

2. Development directions for industries and fields

a) Focus on strongly developing marine economic sectors

- To develop comprehensively and modernize the fisheries industry, build the coastal and marine areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand into a key economic fishing region nationwide and achieve advanced levels in the region. Continue to modernize the fisheries industry across all sectors. Transform production structures reasonably between aquaculture and exploitation linked with processing, consumption of products, and protection of resources, ensuring sustainable development. By 2020, the fishery output in the region will reach approximately 800-850 thousand tons, accounting for 18-19% of the national fishery output, of which exploitation will be about 400-420 thousand tons (exclusive exploitation in the Gulf of Thailand will be around 250 thousand tons), offshore output will account for over 70%; the area for aquaculture will be about 350 thousand hectares (specialized aquaculture area will be about 300 thousand hectares), aquaculture output will exceed 400 thousand tons; export turnover will exceed 2 billion USD.

Vigorously transform the production structure from nearshore fishing to offshore fishing linked with protecting and developing resources. Invest in developing large fleets (over 100 CV) and synchronizing fishing support facilities along the coast and on some islands to expand exploitation of distant waters, especially overlapping areas, while ensuring maritime security, defense, and national sovereignty. Promote aquaculture in all types of water surfaces towards ecological and environmentally friendly farming. Prioritize industrial and semi-industrial farming in places with suitable conditions. Develop mollusk farming in tidal zones and marine fish farming combined with tourism. Continue to invest in modernizing existing seafood processing facilities, building some modern processing facilities in areas convenient for infrastructure, marketing, trade, and waste treatment such as industrial zones (IZ): Tac Cau, An Thoi, Hoa Trung, and other IZs..., producing high-quality products for export. Establish two regional-scale seafood processing centers in Ca Mau City and Tac Cau (Kien Giang).

- Rapidly and sustainably develop marine and coastal tourism to become a leading industry contributing positively to growth and structural transformation of the economy in the Region. Organize tourist space rationally throughout the Region. Synchronize tourism infrastructure and entertainment facilities on Phu Quoc Island; diversify various types of tourism, high-quality complex entertainment areas both at sea and on land, quickly build Phu Quoc Island into a high-end, modern eco-tourism and resort destination at par with regional and global standards. Strengthen cooperation with countries around the Gulf of Thailand to form international tours, connecting marine and coastal tourism in Vietnam's Gulf of Thailand region generally and Phu Quoc Island specifically with famous tourist spots in the region, especially after the completion of the Southern Trans-Asia Highway and the Nanning (China) - Singapore Economic Corridor.

Build tourist clusters Ha Tien - Kien Luong, Nam Can - Dat Mui and intra-regional and inter-regional tourist routes... to link and coordinate with Phu Quoc Island tourism, promoting rapid and sustainable development throughout the Region. Continue to invest in building and completing infrastructure for key tourist areas such as Mui Nai, Hon Tre, Thach Dong, Dong Ho, Chua Hang, Khai Long, Dat Mui... and tourist spots in Ca Mau, Rach Gia cities. Quickly build the Ha Tien Tourist Area linked with the development of the Border Economic Zone. Form tourism development triangles Ca Mau - Ha Tien - Can Tho; Rach Gia - Ha Tien - Chau Doc and Rach Gia - Ca Mau - Phu Quoc to connect coastal tourism with inland regions. Link tourism development with the preservation and enhancement of historical and cultural relics, environmental protection, and special coastal ecosystems.

Vigorously promote tourism publicity and promotion to attract investment and tourists. Strive to attract about 1.3 - 1.4 million tourist visits by 2010, including 350 - 400 thousand international tourist visits, and reach over 3 million visits by 2020, including about 1 million international tourist visits; achieving an average annual growth rate of 9 - 10%. Focus on developing high-quality human resources to meet the requirements of rapid development in the coming years.

- Develop exploration, exploitation, and processing of gas. Vigorously promote self-investment and management of oil and gas exploration activities in the region to affirm commercial viability for exploitation planning. Proactively implement seismic survey research work to accurately assess the potential and reserves of oil and gas in prospects.

Continue to attract foreign investment, particularly major oil companies, to invest in oil and gas exploration and exploitation in Vietnam's Gulf of Thailand marine areas. Accelerate oil and gas exploitation in fields with confirmed reserves and overlapping marine areas. Speed up the implementation progress of oil and gas contracts at discovered fields with planned development to start exploitation soon. Particularly, accelerate exploitation of oil and gas fields in the jointly agreed exploitation zone with Malaysia (PM-3) to effectively exploit resources in this area.

Complete the PM3 - Ca Mau gas pipeline, the Lao B, 52, 49 - Tra Noc gas pipeline, continue constructing additional gas pipelines from the Gulf of Thailand to the shore to supply power plants O Mon, Tra Noc... and other gas processing facilities in the region. Implement construction of a urea fertilizer plant with a capacity of 800,000 tons/year at the Ca Mau Gas-Electric-Ammonia Industrial Park to commence operations after 2010. Attract investment to construct liquefied natural gas plants and other chemical facilities using low-pressure gas from the Gulf of Thailand.

- Develop a comprehensive maritime economy. Utilize all possible capabilities to develop the maritime economy including: port systems, ship fleets, new shipbuilding and repair industries, port services, and maritime services..., laying the groundwork for venturing out to sea, while supporting and promoting the development of other industries.

Develop reasonably the system of seaports in the Region. Upgrade and expand the Nam Can (Ca Mau) and Hon Chong (Kien Giang) ports to reach a capacity of 700,000 to 800,000 tons/year and the Bin Tri cement port to reach 1.8 to 2 million tons/year. Construct the Bai No (Ha Tien) port with a scale of 500,000 tons/year and the Nam Du dedicated port for the Kien Luong thermal power center. Construct synchronously various seaports in the Phu Quoc area including: the An Thoi port (receiving ships up to 3,000 DWT and a floating dock receiving ships up to 30,000 DWT); the Vinh Dam port (receiving ships up to 3,000 DWT and passenger ships carrying up to 2,000 passengers); the Duong Dong andMui Dat passenger ports (receiving ships carrying up to 2,000 passengers) and berths for cruise ships, sailboats... meeting the rapid development requirements of the Island. Gradually build at Phu Quoc a large maritime port and service center in the Gulf of Thailand region.

Build a fleet of vessels with a suitable structure to meet the transportation needs of goods and passengers within the region. Promote coastal transport to all regions nationwide; form sea transport routes to islands, creating close ties between islands and the mainland. Develop maritime transport to Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia. Open high-speed passenger transport routes from Ca Mau, Nam Can, Rach Gia, Ha Tien... to Phu Quoc and from Phu Quoc, Ha Tien to major coastal cities around the Gulf of Thailand to promote tourism development. Construct synchronously other infrastructure services such as port logistics systems, seafarer services, vessel supply, marine safety information systems, radar control and surveillance systems, lighthouses, buoys, salvage and rescue systems... meeting the requirements for marine economic development and security, defense.

b) Develop coastal industries

- Vigorously develop coastal industry, creating superiority of industry in the economic structure of the Region, while serving as a foundation for rapid and effective growth. Prioritize developing advantageous industries, basic and key industries such as gas processing, power generation, shipbuilding, cement production, high-tech seafood processing... so that by 2020, the coastal and near-coastal areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand will have a solid industrial base with a modern structure.

Focus on completing the construction of the Ca Mau Power Plant 1 (750 MW); accelerate the progress of constructing the Ca Mau Power Plant 2 (750 MW) to put into operation according to plan. Construct the Ca Mau Ammonium Nitrate Plant (800,000 tons/year) to be operational after 2010. Implement investment in building the Kien Luong Thermal Power Center with a scale of 4,400 MW (Phase I about 1,200 MW). Construct the diesel power plant at Phu Quoc reaching a capacity of 21.5 MW in 2010, meeting the development requirements of the Island. Develop wind energy and solar energy in coastal areas and on islands.

Upgrade and expand existing cement production facilities; install additional production lines, increasing production capacity in the region to 4.1 million tons of cement and 4.4 million tons of clinker by 2010 and continue expanding capacity after 2010. Develop the production of other construction materials. Construct a clinker grinding station and a tuynel brick factory at Phu Quoc to ensure a stable supply of construction materials for island construction.

Continue to invest in enhancing the capacity of existing new and repair shipyards. Construct some ship repair and new construction yards, mainly building large-capacity fishing vessels for distant-water fishing at Song Doc, Nam Can, Hon Khoai (Ca Mau), Rach Gia, An Thoi (Kien Giang)... Accelerate the progress of constructing the Nam Can Shipyard (Ca Mau); attract investment to construct the Hon Chong Shipyard (Kien Giang), forming a large-scale shipbuilding center, meeting the demand for new construction and repair of various types of vessels in the Region.

Develop high-quality agricultural and seafood processing industries to serve exports and tourism. Invest in upgrading equipment at existing rice export processing facilities; construct new rice milling and polishing facilities with a scale of 20,000 to 40,000 tons/year in key areas such as Tran Van Thoi (Ca Mau), Rach Gia, Hon Dat (Kien Giang)... raising the total processing capacity of the Region to 2.7 to 2.8 million tons by 2010 and over 3.5 million tons by 2020.

Develop other industries such as garment manufacturing, leather and footwear, wood processing, electronics, household appliances, machinery repair, furniture making... suitable for local conditions. Prioritize developing industries serving agriculture and fisheries exploitation contributing to restructuring the rural economy along the coast.

Regarding the development of industrial zones: focus on completing the Ca Mau Gas-Electric-Ammonium Industrial Zone. Rapidly develop the heavy industry concentration zone at Binh An - Kien Luong, gradually forming two large and modern industrial centers, creating breakthroughs in industrial growth and restructuring in the Region. Continue to invest in infrastructure for existing industrial zones, promoting investment attraction to increase the occupancy rate of industrial zones. Promote the establishment of new industrial zones such as Thanh Loc, U Minh, Thuong Yen (Kien Giang); Hoa Trung, Song Doc, Nam Can (Ca Mau)... meeting the development requirements of the Region.

- Diversify various service sectors to promote the development of production sectors and serve people's lives. Prioritize developing marine service sectors and high-value-added sectors such as export-import services, tourism services, fishing services, oil and gas services, transportation services, financial and banking services, postal and telecommunications services... making services truly become a dynamic economic sector, creating many jobs and significant contributions to the Region's economy.

- Develop a modern and integrated trading system in the region to meet integration requirements. Form two key trading centers in the region at Ca Mau City and Rach Gia City. Construct several modern trading centers in Phu Quoc and Ha Tien Border Economic Zone linked with tourism development. Establish other trading centers in district towns, county capitals, coastal economic clusters... serving as hubs for each area. Renovate, upgrade, and construct a system of markets and trading points in townships and rural areas... gradually forming a smooth market with convenient goods circulation throughout the Region.

Promote import and export activities. Complete the construction of the Ha Tien Border Economic Zone linked with international border gate Xa Xia; upgrade the Giang Thanh border gate to expand trade between the coastal and inland areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand with Cambodia and other countries in the region.

Develop financial and banking services. Create favorable conditions to attract large finance companies to invest and open branches operating in the Region, especially in Phu Quoc. Mobilize countries around the Gulf of Thailand and international organizations to establish a Gulf of Thailand Development Fund to develop rapidly and connect with economic corridors and economic axes in the region.

Diversify and improve the quality of transportation services, port services, air services, fishing services, telecommunications, information technology services, and other services. Form new service sectors such as oil and gas services, search and rescue services... creating conditions to promote marine economy in the Region.

- Develop coastal ecological agriculture and forestry production towards high productivity, quality, and sustainability. Invest in deepening agricultural development, forming concentrated production areas with intensive cultivation linked with processing, effectively transforming the agricultural and rural production structure. Develop high-yield rice and specialty rice regions for export. Convert part of the rice planting area to aquaculture and industrial crops, fruit trees, food crops... suitable with land use planning in each locality to increase production efficiency. Expand modern and effective production models such as farmstead economies, high-tech agricultural zones... to produce high-quality goods for tourism and export. Continue to adjust crop and livestock structures appropriately with the six coastal ecological agricultural sub-regions of the Region, gradually building an efficient and sustainable agricultural foundation.

Restore and develop mangrove forests, increasing forest coverage to 20-21% to ensure coastal protection requirements combined with tourism development. Continue to promote socialization of the forestry industry. Vigorously implement forest enclosure, regeneration of protective forests and special-use forests, particularly national parks such as Phu Quoc, U Minh Thuong, U Minh Ha, Ca Mau Cape, natural conservation areas, and forests on islands. Develop productive forest planting, encouraging investment in high-yield intensive forest planting linked with wood product processing and tourism business.

3. Develop and modernize the infrastructure system, especially transport infrastructure, to meet the rapid development requirements of the Region.

Complete and modernize the road transport system, particularly the coastal traffic axis and connecting routes with the hinterland, facilitating convenient trade within the Region and providing necessary conditions to strongly attract investment for rapid development in the upcoming period.

Implement the construction of the main coastal traffic axis in the south from Nam Can - Ca Mau - Rach Gia - Ha Tien within the framework of the Gulf of Thailand Coastal Economic Corridor. Construct a new coastal traffic route from Nam Can through Song Doc to Rach Gia to develop the coastal economy combined with ensuring security and defense. Renovate, upgrade, and widen connecting routes between the coastal and inland areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand (National Highway 1A, 61, 63, 80, and N1, N2) to Class III standards in the delta and all traffic routes to district centers, industrial zones, new urban areas, and coastal economic clusters to Class IV or Class III, creating a comprehensive network connection throughout the Region to promote trade and production.

Mobilize all resources to develop rural transport. By 2010, all communes in the region will have roads to commune centers (except island communes), with 70% of roads paved; basically eliminating bamboo bridges. After 2010, continue to invest in upgrading roads to commune centers to Class V in the delta, with some important economic and security, defense routes reaching Class IV.

Maintain and renovate river routes, especially inter-regional river routes from Ho Chi Minh City to Ca Mau and Rach Gia - Kien Luong to effectively utilize the Region's inland waterway transport advantage.

Upgrade and renovate Ca Mau and Rach Gia airports to accommodate 300,000 passengers/year, maintain the Duong Dong Airport (Phu Quoc) with a capacity of 300,000 passengers/year serving domestic flights. Implement the construction of the international Duong To Airport (Phu Quoc) to Class 4E, capable of receiving medium-range aircraft like B767 or equivalent; initial scale about 2 million passengers/year, after 2020 continue to invest in expansion consistent with the development progress of the Economic Zone.

Complete the power grid network in the Region. Invest in constructing important transmission lines such as: Kien Giang - Thot Not, Kien Giang - Duc Hoa, Ca Mau - Rach Gia, Ca Mau - Bac Lieu, Ca Mau - Cai Nuoc, Rach Gia - Kien Luong, and low-voltage substations for cities, districts, industrial centers... Develop the power grid to coastal economic clusters. By 2010, approximately 90% of households in the Region will have access to electricity, reaching 100% before 2015. Implement the construction of submarine cables to bring the national power grid from the mainland to Phu Quoc Island, to be put into use after 2010.

Invest in building a comprehensive system for water supply and drainage, postal and telecommunications infrastructure, and information technology to meet the requirements for economic and social development in the Region. Complete water treatment plants in Rach Gia, Ca Mau, Tan Hiep, Chau Thanh... Upgrade the Duong Dong water treatment plant (Phu Quoc). Construct several reservoirs and centralized water supply stations on small islands. Develop modern coastal and maritime information systems to ensure continuous and timely communication, meeting the needs for intensified exploitation of the sea and ensuring security and defense in marine areas.

4. Build a comprehensive system of works for disaster prevention and rescue, ensuring the highest level of safety for economic and social development.

Invest in upgrading the coastal dike system combined with constructing new roads along the coast from Nam Can to Rach Gia, meeting the requirements for disaster prevention and mitigation at a high level of safety, while promoting economic and social development and security and defense. Upgrade and renovate existing fishery ports combined with anchorage areas; construct regional anchorage zones at the mouth of Ong Doc River, Rach Goc, Hon Tre, and other anchorage areas, forming a comprehensive system of anchorage areas for typhoon shelters for ships and boats along the coast and on islands, ensuring the highest level of safety for vessels and the lives of fishermen operating in the Gulf of Thailand and some areas in the South East Sea.

Build a comprehensive search and rescue (SAR) information system in terms of both technical aspects and human resources; both onshore and onboard ships, ensuring safety for activities at sea. Utilize existing equipment and resources from various economic sectors and national defense effectively for SAR operations. Establish local response forces in all locations within the Region. Coordinate closely and utilize effectively existing facilities and resources within the Region such as the Southern SAR Coordination Center, Maritime SAR Center, Fisheries SAR Center, Southern Oil Spill Response Center, Border Guard SAR Center... for SAR operations.

Develop a comprehensive system of SAR means and infrastructure in the Region. Invest in building one modern information station using satellite technology; one Regional SAR Center on Hon Khoai Island and several other SAR coordination stations on Tho Chu, Phu Quoc Islands... to meet the requirements of SAR operations throughout the region. Study the construction of a National Early Warning Center for natural disasters in the Vietnamese waters of the Gulf of Thailand, gradually forming a scientific, modern, and professional SAR system in the entire Region, meeting the requirements for expanding SAR operations and international and regional integration in this field.

5. Develop all social sectors comprehensively, ensuring harmony with economic development.

a) On science and technology: intensify science and technology activities, strongly applying new technologies to production, creating products of high quality and competitiveness. Build and replicate effective production models such as ecological agriculture and fisheries models, high-tech agricultural zone models... Encourage the development of science and technology enterprises. Support enterprises in building brands for products with strengths and characteristics of the Region. Widespread application of information technology in production and management to enhance the efficiency of the economy.

b) On education and training: develop education and training towards standardization, modernization, and socialization. Complete the program of universal secondary education before 2010, moving towards universal upper secondary education throughout the Region by 2020. Continue implementing the program of school consolidation tied to standardization, strengthening material infrastructure; build and improve the quality of teaching staff at all levels to increase the proportion of schools reaching national standards. Intensify training and retraining for cadres, civil servants, business leaders, and labor forces in the Region, especially in fields with advantages such as marine resource exploitation, breeding, processing, tourism, seafaring, mechanics, repair, construction, electrical engineering... to meet the Region's development requirements. Implement the construction of Kien Giang University; establish a community college in Ca Mau and vocational colleges in other provinces. Build several vocational schools in Phu Quoc. By 2010, the proportion of trained labor in the Region will reach about 25%, and by 2020, it will exceed 50%.

c) On healthcare: develop a comprehensive healthcare network from provincial to grassroots levels, with 100% of communes in the Region achieving national health standards by 2010. Complete provincial hospitals, upgrade district hospitals, regional general hospitals, preventive healthcare centers, social disease centers... to meet the people's medical examination and treatment needs. Construct one regional general hospital in Chau Thanh (Kien Giang) and one complete general hospital in Phu Quoc equipped with modern facilities capable of treating foreign patients, particularly international tourists. Emphasize the development of marine medicine. Gradually build a comprehensive marine healthcare network to meet the needs for intensified exploitation of the sea in the near future.

d) On culture, information, and sports: build a comprehensive system of cultural, sports, and information facilities at the grassroots level. Prioritize investment in facilities serving community cultural activities such as cultural and sports centers, cultural houses, parks, entertainment areas... Strive to have all cities, districts, towns, and 40-45% of communes in the Region equipped with cultural and sports centers by 2010; 100% of households in the Region able to listen to radio, and 85-90% able to watch television. Strengthen information provision and book promotion to remote and island areas. Promote socialization in culture and sports; develop mass sports, and do well in physical education in schools.

đ) Other social areas: continue to effectively implement the national target program on poverty reduction in the locality, reducing the poverty rate below 10% by 2010 (according to the new standard) and below 3% by 2020. Develop specific plans for eliminating hunger and reducing poverty that are suitable for each region and area. Effectively integrate programs and projects in the locality into efforts to eliminate hunger, reduce poverty, and create employment opportunities, especially for ethnic regions, remote areas, coastal areas, and islands. Implement social policies well for families of war invalids, martyrs, those who have made contributions, and other social groups.

6. Strengthen and consolidate national defense and security to firmly protect the sovereignty and interests of the nation at sea.

Build a strong national defense and security force in terms of both personnel and equipment to maintain peace, stability, and development in Vietnam's maritime and coastal areas in the Gulf of Thailand. Prevent the risk of armed conflict, promptly and effectively counteract encroachment activities that infringe upon the sovereignty and interests of the nation at sea. Develop synchronized and modern maritime management and protection forces along with coastal defense and surveillance systems. Leverage the combined strength of the armed forces and civilian defense to form a comprehensive people's defense posture to firmly protect the country's maritime and island territories.

Construct a functional force for managing and protecting maritime and island territories (Vietnam Navy, Border Guard, Vietnam Coast Guard, Air Force...) in a coordinated and modern manner, appropriately deployed to be ready for any situation. Upgrade and build new coastal and island defense facilities to serve combat missions at sea. The construction of coastal defense facilities and on islands (such as ports, ship repair bases, marine safety systems, military medical facilities...) should be studied to serve both defense and economic development purposes. Closely combine economic development with strengthening national defense and security at sea, and between national defense and security and the economy, contributing positively to accelerating industrialization and modernization nationwide and in the maritime and coastal areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand.

7. Protect the environment and promote sustainable development

From now until 2020, the maritime and coastal areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand will be strongly developed to fully utilize the potential and advantages of the region, particularly those of the sea and coast. To ensure rapid, effective, and sustainable development, it is necessary to have proactive and comprehensive solutions in both technical and institutional and policy aspects. Specifically:

- Strictly manage fishing activities, especially in tidal zones and nearshore areas. Specify the number of vessels, types of fishing methods, and maximum allowable catch for each area and season to protect and develop fish resources.

- Establish a stable and sustainable protective forest system. Restore and develop mangrove forests, particularly in areas such as U Minh, Dam Dơi, and the Ca Mau Peninsula. Strictly protect existing national parks; establish additional conservation areas to protect and restore unique ecosystems in the region.

- Closely control the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agricultural and aquaculture production to limit pollution. Improve the system of plant protection centers and stations to ensure the ability to monitor inputs and outputs of feed, fertilizers, and plant protection chemicals.

- Enhance environmental protection in urban and industrial areas. Quickly relocate heavily polluting facilities and enterprises from central city areas like Cà Mau and Rach Gia; simultaneously treat waste thoroughly to protect the environment, building integrated and gradually modernized wastewater treatment systems in cities, industrial zones, tourist areas, ensuring all wastewater meets Vietnamese standards before being discharged into the drainage system. Plan the location and scale of waste treatment sites suitable for cities, towns, industrial zones, etc. For hospital waste, there must be appropriate incineration facilities for on-site treatment. Special policies and regulations should be established to protect natural resources and the environment in Phú Quốc Island, ensuring sustainable development.

- Vigorously protect the marine and coastal environment. Strictly manage the discharge of pollutants from ships operating at sea. Establish a specialized force for oil spill response in Vietnam's maritime and coastal areas in the Gulf of Thailand. Strengthen efforts to prevent coastal erosion and on islands, particularly in areas from Gành Hào to Rạch Gốc. Complete the coastal dyke system. Develop plans for dyke protection, relocation of residents, and safeguarding lives and property for people living in vulnerable coastal sections before the rainy season and typhoons.

- Enhance state management capacity for environmental protection at all levels and sectors. Strictly regulate the assessment and justification of environmental protection measures during project approval processes, especially for projects that may cause significant pollution such as chemical plants, seaports, shipbuilding, thermal power plants, etc. Increase and use budget funds effectively for environmental protection. Mobilize businesses within the locality to contribute financially to constructing waste treatment systems based on the principle that beneficiaries pay and polluters invest in remediation. Promote education and awareness campaigns to enhance public understanding of environmental protection.

8. Promote international cooperation on the sea

Strengthen international cooperation towards diversification and multifaceted forms and fields of cooperation. Enhance cooperation with neighboring countries in areas such as:

- In the field of maritime delimitation; intensify cooperation with neighboring countries to resolve maritime disputes, establish maritime zones under national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand. Establish negotiation mechanisms for cooperation with Cambodia on historical waters between the two countries to ensure stability and development, creating favorable conditions for the people of both countries to engage in business activities; delimit the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf with Malaysia and delimit the three-nation exclusive economic zone and continental shelf among Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand, ensuring stability for development.

- In the field of fisheries: intensify cooperation with countries around the Gulf of Thailand in fishery stock surveys and research; exploitation, management, protection, and regeneration of marine resources, especially those in offshore areas and marine aquaculture. Quickly negotiate and sign the Fisheries Agreement with countries around the Gulf of Thailand to expand fishing in foreign territorial waters.

- In the field of exploration and exploitation of oil and gas: continue to coordinate with related countries to implement agreements reached in the overlapping maritime areas concerning oil and gas exploration and exploitation. Intensify cooperation with Malaysia to develop oil and gas exploitation in the joint development area (PM-3) and explore other fields in the overlapping maritime areas between the two countries. Expand cooperation with other international oil companies, particularly major ones, to develop exploration and exploitation of oil and gas in Vietnamese blocks in the Gulf of Thailand through production-sharing arrangements.

In the development of coastal and marine tourism: strengthen cooperation with external partners to develop coastal and island tourism, especially high-end eco-tourism in Phu Quoc Island to create high-quality tourism products in Southeast Asia. Intensify cooperation with countries around the Gulf of Thailand in building infrastructure and developing tourism. Develop international tourist routes between countries and a circumnavigation route around the Gulf of Thailand connecting countries in the region.

- In marine science and technology: expand cooperation in basic investigation and marine scientific and technological research. Establish a long-term and regular cooperation program with countries around the Gulf of Thailand to jointly implement comprehensive marine surveys of the Gulf of Thailand to build a complete, synchronized, and reliable database to effectively and sustainably manage and exploit the Gulf of Thailand's marine resources.

- Intensify other areas of cooperation such as marine environmental management and protection; search and rescue, disaster warning; ensuring safety and security at sea... Develop cooperation with countries around the Gulf of Thailand in infrastructure construction (especially coastal transportation corridors connecting with other countries), trade, finance, banking, maritime transport, postal services, telecommunications, culture, education... to promote rapid development while contributing to consolidating and developing cooperative and friendly relations between Vietnam and countries in the Gulf of Thailand region.

IV. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

1. From now until 2010: form the Coastal Economic Corridor of the Gulf of Thailand and the Administrative-Economic Special Zone of Phu Quoc Island; construct the basic infrastructure system in the Region; promote investment attraction in key projects... to create conditions for rapid development in subsequent stages.

2. From 2011 to 2020: continue to invest in developing and modernizing the infrastructure system in the Region; complete and put into operation important components of the Region according to the plan; develop the Administrative-Economic Special Zone of Phu Quoc Island according to the plan.

V. IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES

1. Building and perfecting the institutional framework and policies

- Continue to review, supplement, and concretize policies to mobilize all resources and economic sectors to achieve rapid development, modernize key industries and regions. Focus investments on breakthrough and urgent areas.

- Prioritize adequate investment funds for the construction of Phu Quoc Island's infrastructure. Based on the organizational and operational regulations of the Island issued in Decision No. 38/2006/QD-TTg dated February 14, 2006 by the Prime Minister, relevant ministries, sectors, and localities should further concretize special preferential policies to attract domestic and foreign investors to rapidly develop in the near future.

- Develop special policies to encourage organizations and individuals to intensify the exploitation of marine resources (fisheries, oil and gas, minerals...) in overlapping maritime areas and joint development zones. Supplement and concretize current policies and develop new special policies to build coastal rural and island areas in three aspects: education, livelihoods, democracy.

- Supplement support policies for the construction of infrastructure on important islands. Adequate investment policies should be implemented to carry out the program of constructing islands in the Region that are strong economically and serve as solid logistical bases for national defense and security. Encourage and support people to settle and develop the economy on islands. Special mechanisms should be established for the construction of offshore fixed structures to assert national sovereignty over the seas. Equip forces responsible for protecting the seas, particularly the Navy and Coast Guard, with necessary means to control and protect the country's maritime zones.

2. Continue administrative reform

- Continue to intensify administrative reform towards streamlining the administrative apparatus; simplifying administrative procedures, especially those related to land, investment permits, construction permits... Publicize and make transparent state policies as well as local policies.

- Promote the implementation of the "single window interconnection" mechanism in fields under the jurisdiction of local management agencies. Continue to review and amend administrative procedures, eliminate outdated regulations and cumbersome procedures that can be easily exploited. Improve the competence of the cadre and civil servant workforce; innovate thinking and management methods suitable for a market economy and international integration.

3. Develop high-quality human resources to meet the development requirements of the Region in the direction of industrialization and modernization.

- Implement proactive policies to attract and train human resources, particularly in marine economic sectors, gradually building a high-quality labor force to meet the rapid development needs of the Region in the coming period. Study and promulgate specific preferential policies to attract skilled workers, experts, and excellent entrepreneurs from other regions to work long-term in the coastal areas and sea areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand.

- Expand vocational training through various forms, focusing on marine professions and industries with advantages in the Region. Strengthen the training and retraining of cadres and civil servants at all levels. Enhance the training capacity of colleges and specialized secondary schools; prioritize investment in vocational training centers. Encourage large enterprises in the area to participate in vocational training for local labor forces.

4. Solutions regarding science and technology.

- Reform the management of science and technology in line with market mechanisms and international integration requirements. Increase the application of new technologies in production, especially marine technologies. Establish mechanisms that both encourage and require enterprises to invest in research and development of new and appropriate technologies.

- Strengthen basic surveys and scientific research on the sea to have sufficient scientific basis for formulating long-term, effective, and sustainable marine exploitation plans. Promote the establishment of a Research Institute (or Station) for the Gulf of Thailand Sea. Expand cooperation with countries around the Gulf of Thailand in marine survey and research areas. Implement preferential policies to attract highly qualified scientific personnel to work in the Region.

5. Mobilize and effectively utilize investment capital for development.

Forecast the investment capital demand of the Region from now until 2020 at approximately 550 trillion VND (current prices), including 70 trillion VND for the initial phase (from now until 2010) and 480 trillion VND for the period 2011-2020. To meet this capital requirement, it is necessary to implement comprehensive and active measures to attract all possible sources of capital in various forms, focusing on the following main solutions:

- Identify priority projects, areas, and scales to call for investment from all economic sectors both domestically and internationally. Conduct promotional activities to highlight the strengths of the Region, its position, role, and potential for attracting investment in key economic zones, industrial parks, major tourist areas, etc. Implement incentive policies (land policies, financial support, land clearance, tax policies, administrative procedures, etc.) for enterprises investing in infrastructure construction in industrial parks and economic zones within the Region. Rationally exploit and use land funds to create capital for infrastructure construction in industrial parks and urban areas.

- Vigorously attract and effectively utilize centralized budget capital. Based on the Government's Action Program to implement Resolution No. 09/NQ-TW dated February 9, 2007 of the Politburo on the Vietnam Marine Strategy to 2020, provinces in the Region need to closely coordinate with central ministries and sectors to implement projects of these ministries and sectors according to schedule, while incorporating key projects in the Region into the planning and development programs of these ministries and sectors to promptly allocate capital for development. Central ministries and sectors should prioritize allocating adequate capital for the development of the coastal and marine areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand, including Phu Quoc Island, based on Decisions: No. 178/2004/QD-TTg dated October 5, 2004 of the Prime Minister approving the overall planning of Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province until 2010 and vision until 2020; No. 38/2006/QD-TTg dated February 14, 2006 of the Prime Minister on the organization and operation of Phu Quoc Island and Nam An Thoi Archipelago, Kien Giang Province; and No. 14/QD-TTg dated January 14, 2006 of the Prime Minister on approving the sustainable development planning of Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province until 2010 and orientation until 2020.

- Vigorously promote business operations and adopt measures to nurture revenue sources to increase budget revenues in the Region. Allocate investment funds according to project purposes through bidding. Strengthen investment management and construction management to prevent losses and waste, especially during the construction phase. Effectively integrate ongoing programs and projects in the Region to enhance the efficiency of capital utilization.

- Study the establishment of a Regional Infrastructure Investment Fund to create channels for attracting medium- and long-term capital for infrastructure development and key industries. Encourage domestic and foreign banks and credit organizations to open branches or representative offices in the coastal and marine areas of Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand.

- Mobilize credit capital and equity contributions. Expand loan forms and loan recipients, simplify loan procedures, and facilitate access to this capital for enterprises and economic sectors. Encourage the development of joint-stock companies and accelerate the process of converting state-owned enterprises into joint-stock companies.

- Continue to vigorously promote administrative reform, creating a transparent environment for investment. Apply preferential policies such as exemption and reduction of corporate income tax; exemption and reduction of import and export taxes; exemption and reduction of land lease fees and land use fees; support for land clearance and resettlement for businesses investing in production and business development within the area. Utilize a certain amount of state capital (as seed capital) to attract investment from businesses. Encourage the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

- Encourage investment from the residential sector and private individuals. Create favorable conditions for private economic entities to invest and develop without restrictions on scale, industry, field, or location. Vigorously mobilize contributions from the people (both in terms of money and public labor) in accordance with state regulations for rural infrastructure construction, especially coastal rural infrastructure and on islands.

- Closely coordinate with central ministries and agencies and international organizations to seek out and promote ODA projects. Develop specific projects and proactively allocate counterpart funds as a basis for seeking financial assistance. Seek out international sources of funding for poverty alleviation programs, clean water programs in rural areas, environmental sanitation, healthcare, education...

- Reform mechanisms for attracting FDI, building comprehensive mechanisms and policies to attract FDI in line with the process of integration. Strengthen domestic and foreign investment promotion activities. Create all favorable and transparent conditions to attract foreign investment. Prioritize attracting large-scale projects with significant importance. Support large projects intending to invest in Vietnam's coastal and near-coastal areas in the Gulf of Thailand. Expand BOT, BT and other forms of investment...

6. Implementation organization.

On the basis of the overall planning for the development of the economy and society in Vietnam's coastal and near-coastal areas in the Gulf of Thailand up to 2020, relevant ministries, sectors, and provinces in the region need to concretize the planning and incorporate it into their development programs and plans at the ministry, sector, and local levels for implementation. Specifically:

- The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead, coordinating with relevant ministries, sectors, and provinces in the region to develop a joint action program for Vietnam's coastal and near-coastal areas in the Gulf of Thailand (including detailed assignment of responsibilities and clear coordination); coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to balance and mobilize investment funds for regional development.

- Relevant ministries and sectors shall develop specific action programs for their respective sectors and organize their implementation; integrate the goals, orientations, and tasks and solutions for development outlined in this planning into their national sectoral development planning; coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and the two provinces of Ca Mau and Kien Giang to ensure a balanced allocation of resources for the development of Vietnam's coastal and near-coastal areas in the Gulf of Thailand according to the planning.

- The provinces of Ca Mau and Kien Giang shall review, adjust, and supplement their overall planning for economic and social development; integrate the goals and orientations of this planning into their provincial, district, town, city-level overall economic and social development planning; carry out the development planning for marine and island economies and detailed planning for economic zones, industrial parks, tourist areas, entertainment areas, urban systems... in line with the general orientation of this planning and Resolution No. 09/NQ-TW dated February 9, 2007 of the Politburo on the Marine Strategy of Vietnam until 2020.

- Incorporate this planning into the five-year and annual plans of ministries, sectors, and localities and allocate funds in annual plans to implement the planning.

- Annually, the People's Committees of the provinces of Ca Mau and Kien Giang shall coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to organize reviews and evaluations of the implementation of the planning to propose and recommend timely adjustments and supplements to be appropriate with new circumstances.

12/2025/TT-BNNMT dated June 19, 2025 issued by the Minister of Agriculture and EnvironmentThis planning serves as the basis for guiding the development of specialized and local planning and investment projects in Vietnam's coastal and near-coastal areas in the Gulf of Thailand according to the provisions.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect 45 days from the date of issuance.

Article 4. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairmen of the People's Committees of the provinces of Ca Mau and Kien Giang are responsible for implementing this Decision./.