Decision No. 27/2004/QD-TTg on approving the General Orientation for Construction along the Ho Chi Minh Highway (Phase I) until 2020

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the approval of the General Orientation for Construction Planning along the Ho Chi Minh Road (Phase I) until 2020

Along the Ho Chi Minh Road (Phase I)

PRIME MINISTER

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

Pursuant to the Urban Planning Management Charter issued together with Decree No. 91/CP dated August 17, 1994 of the Government;

Considering the proposals of the Minister of Construction in documents No. 38/TTr-BXD dated June 5, 2003 and No. 1907/BXD-KTQH dated November 11, 2003,

Pursuant to …;

Article 1. Approving the General Orientation for Construction Planning along the Ho Chi Minh Road (Phase I) with the main contents as follows:

1. Scope of Study

The total length of the Ho Chi Minh Road (Phase I) is 2,186 km, including the main eastern branch at 1,676 km and the western branch at 510 km. The research area on both sides of the road has a width of approximately 2 km and an area of about 437,200 ha.

Clause 2. Objectives

Developing the Ho Chi Minh Road with the primary functions of: a national transportation and technical infrastructure corridor in the western part of the country; an economic development axis and urban centers; a scenic axis connected to cultural, historical, and natural landmarks.

3. Population Scale

a) By 2010, the population in the entire planning area is expected to be approximately 3,962,000 people, including:

- Urban population: approximately 3,375,000 people;

- Rural population: approximately 587,000 people.

b) By 2020, the population in the entire planning area is expected to be approximately 6,235,000 people, including:

- Urban population: approximately 5,335,000 people.

- Rural population: approximately 900,000 people.

4. Land scale

a) By 2010, the total area of the entire planning region is expected to be approximately 437,200 ha, including construction land of about 49,200 ha (urban construction land about 40,800 ha).

b) By 2020, the total area of the entire planning region is expected to be approximately 437,200 ha, including construction land of about 80,000 ha (urban construction land about 78,000 ha).

5. Development Orientation

a) For existing areas

- Relocating and resettling residents in areas where most of the land area falls within the safe zone of the road or in regions with special natural conditions that are not favorable (often subject to landslides, flash floods...);

- Renovating and concentrating development on one side of the road for areas affected partially by the road passing through;

- Improving land use efficiency in areas adjacent to the road where there are favorable conditions for socio-economic development.

b) For new construction areas

Concentrating planning and management according to the plan in areas with favorable conditions for economic development (located in industrial raw material regions, mineral regions, natural scenic areas, heritage sites...), having land for construction and favorable natural conditions for building residential areas, industrial zones, tourism, service, and trade development.

6. Distribution and organization of the system of cities along the Ho Chi Minh Road (Phase I) passing through 16 provinces and centrally governed cities, divided into 5 regions as follows:

a) Region I

- Including 2 provinces: Ha Tay and Hoa Binh with a total length of the Ho Chi Minh Road passing through of 95 km, total land area of about 19,000 ha, of which construction land by 2020 is about 17,800 ha;

- Total number of 6 cities, including 1 city of type I, 1 city of type III, and 4 cities of type V; the core city is the chain of Miếu Môn - Xuân Mai - Hòa Lạc - Sơn Tây cities.

+ New city Hoa Lac - Ha Tay province

The basis for forming and developing the city is the high-tech zone, university education center, large-scale concentrated industrial zones, tourist and service areas, etc.; the population is expected to be about 270,000 people by 2010 and about 670,000 people by 2020; the need for construction land by 2010 is about 4,700 ha and by 2020 is about 12,000 ha.

+ City Xuân Mai - Ha Tay province

The basis for developing the city is the production of construction materials industry, agricultural product processing, economic and commercial center in the west of Ha Tay province; the population is expected to be about 35,000 - 50,000 people by 2010 and about 100,000 - 170,000 people by 2020; the need for construction land by 2010 is about 750 ha and by 2020 is about 2,500 ha.

+ Other cities: Including 4 cities with a population expected to be about 62,000 people by 2010 and about 160,000 people by 2020.

b) Region II

- Including 3 provinces: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh, with a total length of the Ho Chi Minh Road passing through of 345 km, total land area of about 69,000 ha, of which construction land by 2020 is about 9,000 ha;

- Total number of 20 cities, including 1 city of type III is Lam Son - Sao Vang and the city of Ngoc Lac is expected to be the central city of the mountainous western region of Thanh Hoa province; 1 city is the central city of the mountainous western region of Nghe An province (equivalent to city type III); 17 cities of type V; the core city on the route is Lam Son - Sao Vang.

+ City Lam Son - Sao Vang - Thanh Hoa province

The basis for developing the city is food processing industry, alcohol, spirits, paper, packaging, and paper products, forestry and agricultural product processing, consumer goods, repair machinery, etc., tourism, services, commerce; the population is expected to be about 30,000 people by 2010 and about 50,000 people by 2020; the need for construction land by 2010 is about 550 ha and by 2020 is about 700 ha.

+ Town Thai Hoa:

Is the district capital, economic, administrative, and cultural center of Nghia Dan district, Nghe An province, the population is expected to be about 13,000 people by 2010 and about 18,000 people by 2020.

+ Town Pho Chau:

Is the town district capital, economic, administrative, and cultural center of Hue Son district, Ha Tinh province, and the service center for East-West border trade (National Highway 8) of Ha Tinh province, the population is expected to be about 11,000 people by 2010 and about 18,000 people by 2020.

+ Other cities: Including 17 cities, the population is expected to be about 85,700 people by 2010 and about 169,000 people by 2020.

c) Region III

- Including 5 provinces and centrally governed cities: Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, and Quang Nam. The total length of the Ho Chi Minh Road passing through is 1,054 km (eastern branch: 544 km; western branch: 510 km); total land area of about 210,800 ha, of which construction land by 2020 is about 26,200 ha;

- Total number of 24 cities, including 2 cities of type I, 2 cities of type III, and 20 cities of type V; the core cities on the route are Dakrong and Khe Sanh.

+ Dong Hoi city - Quang Binh province

As the provincial capital, it is the economic, political, cultural, scientific and technological center of Quảng Bình Province; the basis for urban development is trade, services, tourism, and processing industries for agricultural, forest, and marine products, construction materials production, and automobile assembly; the estimated population in 2010 is about 120,000 people, and in 2020 is about 150,000 people; the land demand for construction in 2010 is approximately 1,300 hectares, and in 2020 is approximately 1,650 hectares.

+ City of Huế - Thừa Thiên Huế Province

It is a city with world cultural heritage, a national and international cultural center; it is the provincial capital, the political, economic, cultural, social, and scientific and technological center of Thừa Thiên Huế Province, a specialized medical center, and one of the multi-disciplinary university training centers and vocational training centers in the region; the estimated population in 2010 is about 300,000 people, and in 2020 is about 350,000 to 400,000 people; the land demand for construction in 2010 is approximately 5,400 hectares, and in 2020 is approximately 6,000 hectares.

+ New Urban Area Chân Mây - Thừa Thiên Huế Province

It is the economic, commercial, and service tourism center in the southern part of Thừa Thiên Huế Province; the basis for urban formation and development is seaports, high-tech industry, commerce, and service tourism; the estimated population in 2010 is about 40,000 people, and in 2020 is about 120,000 people; the land demand for construction in 2010 is approximately 600 hectares, and in 2020 is approximately 4,000 hectares.

+ City of Da Nang

A centrally governed city, it is a national comprehensive center, a central economic zone in the Central Vietnam Economic Region; the basis for urban development is ports, port services, textile and garment industry, construction materials production, machinery, seafood processing, etc., tourism, service tourism, education and training; the estimated population in 2010 is about 650,000 people, and in 2020 is about 865,000 people; the land demand for construction in 2010 is approximately 6,500 hectares, and in 2020 is approximately 8,650 hectares.

+ Other cities: including 20 cities, the estimated population in 2010 is about 446,200 people, and in 2020 is about 663,500 people.

d) Region IV

- Includes 4 provinces: Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Đắk Lắk, and Đắk Nông, the length of the Hồ Chí Minh Highway passing through is 502 kilometers, the total land area is approximately 100,400 hectares, of which the land for construction by 2020 is approximately 15,400 hectares;

- There are a total of 17 cities, including 2 second-tier cities, 1 third-tier city, 1 fourth-tier city, and 13 fifth-tier cities; the core cities on the route are Kon Tum town, Pleiku town, and Buôn Ma Thuột city.

+ Town of Kon Tum - Kon Tum Province

It is the provincial capital, the administrative, economic, cultural, social, and scientific and technological center of Kon Tum Province; it is the regional tourism center in Northern West Highlands; the basis for urban development is processing industries for agricultural and forest products, clothing, electronics, machinery, construction materials, and tourism. The estimated population in 2010 is about 156,000 people, and in 2020 is about 210,000 people; the land demand for construction in 2010 is approximately 3,320 hectares, and in 2020 is approximately 3,740 hectares.

+ City of Pleiku - Gia Lai Province

It is the provincial capital, the political, economic, cultural, social, and scientific and technological center of Gia Lai Province; the basis for urban development is processing industries for coffee, rubber, wood, construction materials production; the estimated population in 2010 is about 230,000 people, and in 2020 is about 300,000 people; the land demand for construction in 2010 is approximately 6,800 hectares, and in 2020 is approximately 9,700 hectares.

+ City of Buôn Ma Thuột - Đắk Lắk Province

It is the provincial capital, the administrative and political, economic, cultural, educational, tourism, service, and scientific and technological center of Đắk Lắk Province; it is the center of the West Highlands region; the basis for urban development is processing industries for agricultural and forest products, mechanical assembly and repair, clothing, wood processing, soft drink production, trade, and services; the estimated population in 2010 is about 300,000 people, and in 2020 is about 500,000 people; the land demand for construction in 2010 is approximately 2,400 to 3,000 hectares, and in 2020 is approximately 4,200 to 4,500 hectares.

+ Town of Gia Nghĩa - Đắk Nông Province

It is the administrative, political, economic, cultural, educational, service, tourism, and scientific and technological center of Đắk Nông Province; the basis for urban development is processing industries for agricultural and forest products; the center for aluminum ore exploitation, gemstone processing, trade, and services; the estimated population in 2010 is about 50,000 people, and in 2020 is about 80,000 people; the land demand for construction in 2010 is approximately 1,480 hectares, and in 2020 is approximately 1,700 hectares.

+ Other cities: including 13 cities, the estimated population in 2010 is about 264,000 people, and in 2020 is about 384,000 people.

e) Region V

- Includes 2 provinces: Bình Dương and Bình Phước, the length of the Hồ Chí Minh Highway passing through is 190 kilometers, the total land area is approximately 38,000 hectares, of which the land for construction by 2020 is approximately 9,200 hectares;

- There are a total of 7 cities, including 1 second-tier city, 1 third-tier city, 1 fourth-tier city, and 4 fifth-tier cities. - Core cities on the route: Thủ Dầu Một town and Chơn Thành town.

+ Town of Đồng Xoài - Bình Phước Province

It is the provincial capital, the administrative, economic, cultural, and scientific and technological center of Bình Phước Province; the basis for urban development is processing industries for agricultural and forest products, animal feed processing, and export ceramics and porcelain; the estimated population in 2010 is about 60,000 people, and in 2020 is about 100,000 people; the land demand for construction in 2010 is approximately 720 hectares, and in 2020 is approximately 2,000 hectares.

+ Town of Thủ Dầu Một - Bình Dương Province

It is the provincial capital, the administrative, economic, cultural, and scientific and technological center of Bình Dương Province; the basis for urban development is mechanical and electronic industry, electronic and information technology equipment manufacturing, electrical equipment manufacturing, consumer goods machinery, and clothing; the estimated population in 2010 is about 180,000 people, and in 2020 is about 350,000 people; the land demand for construction in 2010 is approximately 2,200 hectares, and in 2020 is approximately 4,500 hectares.

+ Town of Chơn Thành - Bình Dương Province

It is the district capital, the administrative, economic, and cultural center of Thuận An District, the southern economic center of Bình Dương Province, the basis for urban development is processing industries for rubber and canned fruits; the estimated population in 2010 is about 40,000 people, and in 2020 is about 45,000 people; the land demand for construction in 2010 is approximately 550 hectares, and in 2020 is approximately 600 hectares.

+ Other cities: including 4 cities, the estimated population in 2010 is about 167,000 people, and in 2020 is about 226,000 people.

7. Orientation for the Development of Technical Infrastructure

a) Transportation:

- National Highway 14

The Ho Chi Minh Highway connects uniformly, harmoniously, and synchronously with the national road network, ensuring the continuity and interconnection between different modes of transportation, forming a smooth transportation system that meets the increasing demand for transport both domestically and internationally.

- Transportation system associated with the Ho Chi Minh Highway:

+ Roadways

Invest in building and upgrading the system of transverse roads connecting the Ho Chi Minh Highway to National Route 1, other national routes, and international routes within the framework of the Asian Highway Network, ASEAN routes, and regional routes according to the Master Plan for the Development of Road Transport Infrastructure in Vietnam until 2010 and orientations until 2020 approved by the Prime Minister's Decision No. 162/2002/QĐ-TTg dated November 15, 2002, aiming to maximize efficiency in serving the industrialization and modernization of the country and the process of integration with the region and the world. + Waterways

Invest in building and developing seaports with favorable conditions to connect with the Ho Chi Minh Highway based on the Comprehensive Master Plan for the Development of the Seaport System in Vietnam until 2010 approved by the Prime Minister's Decision No. 202/1999/QĐ-TTg dated October 12, 1999.

+ Railways

Invest in renovating, upgrading, and constructing new railway lines related to the transport along the Ho Chi Minh Highway, forming a continuous railway system to meet domestic and international transport needs, in accordance with the Master Plan for the Development of the Railway Transport Industry in Vietnam until 2020 approved by the Prime Minister's Decision No. 06/2002/QĐ-TTg dated January 7, 2002.

- Solutions for organizing residential areas along the route and intersections to ensure traffic safety:

+ The development of residential areas along the route must have strict measures to ensure that residential areas and industrial zones comply with planning and are located outside the traffic safety corridor of the entire route.

+ All construction projects, including residential buildings, shall not arbitrarily open access roads from the highway cutting through drainage channels, causing blockages in drainage channels along the route.

+ Minimize construction projects within the planned areas along the route opening access roads to the highway.

+ Organize well the intersections when the Ho Chi Minh Highway intersects with major national highways and provincial roads with high traffic volumes to ensure vehicle speed and traffic safety, such as the Láng - Hòa Lạc Expressway; National Highways 6, 12B, 15, 47, 48, 7, 8, 12, 9, 49, 14, 24, 40, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28, 13, 22...

+ Organize bypass routes; underpasses, tunnels; overpasses, and organize reasonable merging routes for sections of the Ho Chi Minh Highway passing through urban areas, residential clusters, and industrial zones to ensure traffic safety and traffic capacity.

+ Utilize parallel rural roads to organize them into bypass systems and organize reasonable intersections and merging routes for sections of the Ho Chi Minh Highway passing through densely populated rural areas.

+ Minimize local traffic intersections at the same level as the Ho Chi Minh Highway.

+ Planting trees along both sides of the highway must follow the planning; planting schemes need to be regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, ensuring clearances as stipulated in TCVN 4054-98.

- Solutions for organizing rest points:

+ Plan the construction of rest points outside the highway protection zone in scenic areas, combining with tourism services, public services such as fuel stations, maintenance, and repair services. Rest points can be independently constructed or connected to residential areas.

+ The distance between rest points ranges from 80 km to 150 km.

+ The minimum area of each rest point is approximately 1.0 ha, with a maximum width along the road of about 200 m.

+ The operation of rest points must absolutely ensure traffic safety.

b) Drainage and environmental sanitation:

- Protect water sources:

+ Protection range for surface water sources: upstream from 200 m to 500 m, downstream from 100 m to 200 m.

+ Protection range for groundwater sources: around the drilling area must ensure a protection radius of 25 m.

+ Protection range for reservoirs and dams: around the reservoir and dam area must ensure a protection distance of 300 m throughout the watershed. Within the above-mentioned protection range, no construction projects causing pollution are allowed, and wastewater discharge is prohibited.

+ For natural conservation areas and historical sites: according to the planning of natural conservation areas and historical site regions and in accordance with the provisions of the law.

+ For areas within flood evacuation corridors and landslide-prone areas: prohibit development and construction in unstable geological areas, flood evacuation corridors, and landslide-prone areas. Residential areas or functional zones already existing in these areas need to be studied and relocated during the implementation of the highway construction project.

- Environmental protection:

Technical preparation work for construction land should choose localized earthwork solutions, minimize the disruption of natural topography, address sedimentation and erosion issues in rivers and streams, and landslides.

+ For isolation zones protecting water sources and power grid safety: prohibit development and construction in isolation zones protecting water sources as defined according to standards, such as areas adjacent to rivers and lakes which are primary water sources along the highway.

Areas planned for development along the Ho Chi Minh Highway must be outside the isolation corridor of the 500 kV power transmission lines.

+ For areas affected by chemical toxins (Dioxin): limit or prohibit construction depending on the specific nature and characteristics of the investment projects; do not develop new residential areas, tourist, service, and commercial zones. In necessary cases, studies must be conducted to assess the impact of chemical toxins to implement preventive and remedial measures.

The areas expected for construction development along the Ho Chi Minh Highway must lie outside the isolation corridor of the 500 KV high-voltage power line.

+ For regions affected by chemical toxins (Dioxin): limit or prohibit construction depending on the area and nature of specific investment projects; do not develop new residential areas, tourist zones, service areas, commercial areas, etc. In necessary cases, studies must be conducted to assess the level of impact of chemical toxins to implement preventive and remedial measures.

For existing cities and other functional zones within the affected areas of chemical contamination along the route, the handling of Dioxin toxins must be studied to determine the actual impact of Agent Orange, in order to implement preventive measures, detoxification, and remediation of adverse effects.

8. Prioritize investment and construction

a) Develop detailed planning, establish investment projects, and organize construction of resettlement areas to ensure the stability of life and production for residents in areas that need to be relocated.

b) Construct traffic intersections (overpasses, underpasses) to meet timely investment and construction needs when necessary, ensuring traffic safety and the ability to travel throughout the entire route.

c) Plant trees on both sides of the road, while implementing related projects aimed at protecting and restoring upstream protective forests.

d) Upgrade and improve East-West cross routes, particularly in the Central Highlands region, to facilitate circulation and connection between the Ho Chi Minh Road and coastal economic development areas and western border regions of the country.

đ) Invest in upgrading and improving technical infrastructure in existing residential areas according to planning and available funding.

Article 2.

1. Delegate to the Chairpersons of the People's Committees of the provinces and cities: Ha Tay, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong:

- Approve, organize the announcement and implementation of the General Planning for Construction along the Ho Chi Minh Road passing through their respective province or city, in accordance with the overall orientation of the General Planning for Construction along the Ho Chi Minh Road (Phase I) until 2020.

- Issue Regulations on Construction Management according to the General Planning for Construction along the Ho Chi Minh Road passing through provincial-level centrally governed cities.

- Organize the development and approval of detailed planning for cities and areas expected to develop, serving as a basis for managing investment and construction activities.

Article 3. The Standard Measurement Quality Control Department shall be responsible for organizing and guiding the implementation of the Regulations adopted herein.

Article 4. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies; Chairpersons of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities where the Ho Chi Minh Road passes through are responsible for enforcing this Decision.