Decision No. 865/QD-TTg Approves the Construction Master Plan for the Northern Coastal Region until 2025 and Vision to 2050

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the approval of the Construction Master Plan for the Northern Coastal Region until 2025 and vision to 2050

_______________________________________

 PRIME MINISTER

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

Pursuant to Resolution No. 54/NQ-TW dated September 14, 2005 of the Politburo on "Developing the economy and society and ensuring security in the Red River Delta until 2010 and vision to 2020";

Pursuant to Resolution No. 09/NQ-TW dated February 9, 2007 of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam on the marine strategy of Vietnam until 2020;

Pursuant to Decree No. 08/2005/NĐ-CP dated January 24, 2005 of the Government on planning construction;

Considering the proposal of the Ministry of Construction at Circular No. 32/TTr-BXD dated April 29, 2008 regarding the approval of the Construction Master Plan for the Northern Coastal Region,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the Construction Master Plan for the Northern Coastal Region until 2025 and vision to 2050 with the main contents as follows:

1. Development objectives

To fully leverage all potential advantages to develop the Northern Coastal Region into a comprehensive economic region (industrial, tourism, and service) playing an important role in the national economic and social development, particularly in the marine strategy of Vietnam. To enhance the role of the Northern Coastal Region as a gateway to the sea of northern Vietnam based on building a wide-scale regional technical infrastructure system, creating favorable conditions for economic development and environmental protection, combining economic development with national defense and security, ensuring sustainable development throughout the entire region.

2. Vision to 2050

By 2050, the Northern Coastal Region will be a significant national and international economic region, having a special influence on the Hanoi Capital Region, southern China's economic region, and the Gulf of Tonkin economic belt, being a key area of Vietnam’s marine strategy. It will be a dynamic development zone with a favorable investment environment, high quality urban and rural living standards. At the same time, it will be a cultural-historical center, a training ground for human resources, and a major tourist destination in the country.

3. Scope of Planning

The scope of planning for the Northern Coastal Region includes the entire administrative boundaries of Haiphong City and four provinces: Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh, with a natural area of approximately 12,005.93 square kilometers. The research scope includes the Red River Delta, the Northern Key Economic Region, and areas related to the socio-economic space development of the region towards 2050.

4. Population Forecast

a) Total population:

- Current total population of the region in 2005: about 7.6 million people;

- Projected to 2015: 8.3 - 8.65 million people.

- Projected to 2025: 8.7 - 9.0 million people.

b) Urban population:

- Total urban population of the region in 2005: about 1.86 million people;

- Projected to 2015: about 2.5 - 2.8 million people;

- Projected to 2025: about 4.5 - 5.0 million people;

c) Rate of urbanization:

- In 2005: 24.54% (national average 27.12%);

- Projected to reach 38 - 42% in 2015;

- Projected to reach about 55 - 60.0% in 2025.

5. Land Use Planning

- Current total land area of the Northern Coastal Region is 12,005.93 square kilometers (1,200,593 hectares);

- Projected land for urban construction in 2015: 40,280 - 45,100 hectares, accounting for 3.75% of the natural area, averaging 135 - 160 square meters per person; industrial land: 20,500 - 27,500 hectares, accounting for 2.29% of the natural area; land for rural residential points: 57,000 - 65,000 hectares;

- Projected land for urban construction in 2025: 72,500 - 78,500 hectares, accounting for 6.54% of the natural area, averaging 130 - 150 square meters per person; land for industrial construction: 44,000 - 53,000 hectares, accounting for 4.42% of the natural area; land for rural residential points: 34,700 - 35,000 hectares.

6. Orientation for Regional Spatial Development

a) Main orientations for developing the Northern Coastal Region:

- The Northern Coastal Region will develop as a multi-polar urban region, distributed along the connection axis between the space of Haiphong City

- Halong will be the core city of the region with central provincial cities based on the main spatial axes: National Highway 18 axis, National Highway 10 axis, North Coast Expressway axis of the Northern Coastal Region, East-West axis connecting the Red River Delta with the Hanoi Capital Region, Ho Chi Minh Highway corridor;

- The strongly urbanized region will include the space of industrial and service cities developing along the axis: National Highway 5; the space of tourist and economic cities; forming a coastal space axis;

- The economic growth region will focus on the axis of Hai Phong - Halong - Mong Cai. Among them, Hai Phong - Halong will be the regional central city developing industry, seaports, services, and tourism;

- Provincial central cities will develop urban scale and quality with social and technical infrastructure investment linked to industrial and service development to achieve balanced and harmonious development with other central cities. Among them, Nam Dinh and Mong Cai are regional central cities;

- Medium-sized, small, and district-level cities will develop in conjunction with agricultural, industrial, small-scale industrial, and agricultural service areas attracting local labor;

- Protecting natural areas including lowland areas along river basins, flood discharge areas, coastal dike areas, national forest scenic areas, biosphere reserve areas, historical and cultural heritage areas, and agricultural areas.

b) Organization of Regional Spatial Development

The Northern Coastal Region's spatial organization will consist of two regions: the core urban region and the counterbalancing development region.

- Core urban region: Haiphong City - Halong City will develop into a core urban region driving the development of the Northern Coastal Region and affirming its national and international level with services such as trade, tourism, seaports, industry, in connection with the Hanoi Capital Region and regional centers;

- Counterbalancing development region: consists of two sub-regions. In which, provincial central cities play a core role in development.

+ Northern region: development space along National Highway 18 and the Hanoi – Halong – Mong Cai Expressway including cities distributed in a strip: Dong Trieu – Mao Khe – Uong Bi – Cam Pha - Tien Yen – Dam Ha – Quang Ha – Mong Cai and Van Don Economic Zone. It is the industrial center for steelmaking, energy, shipbuilding, services, seaports, mining, and national and international tourism service center with the heritage of Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay;

+ Southern region: comprising three provinces of Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh. The space of the region follows the coastal strip combined with Red River delta agriculture. The space is connected along National Highway 10 and the coastal expressway. The regional center is Nam Dinh city (developing into the Red River South Delta region center) and central cities of Thai Binh and Ninh Binh provinces. Develop coastal cities: Dien Dien, Tien Hai, Hai Thinh, Phat Diem; develop new cities in areas with potential development: Hung Thang, Ngo Dong, Quat Lam, Com, Rang Dong linked to natural conservation areas and Cuu Phuong National Park, Trang An area. The region ensures food security requirements, develops shipbuilding industry, seafood processing, agricultural products, cultural-educational-service centers, and national tourism center.

c) Developing the system of residential areas, cities, and social infrastructure services:

Ensuring sustainable development with hierarchical principles, concentrated in urban centers and surrounding areas, land-saving, investment in infrastructure services, improving service quality to attract infrastructure, housing, and employment for cities in the region.

- The urban system is divided as follows:

+ Regional and sub-regional cities: with the connection of two large cities in the region (Haiphong and Halong) as the comprehensive service center for marine economic activities in the North, simultaneously the main gateway to the sea for two economic corridors with southern China, maritime-oriented cities linked with port-industry, trade, financial banking, tourism, healthcare, education, and training services;

+ Sub-regional and provincial cities including cities: Mong Cai (Northern sub-region center), Nam Dinh (Red River South Delta region center); Thai Binh, Ninh Binh are provincial administrative-political centers, development cores of their respective provinces, developing towards promoting specialized functions, investing in social-technical infrastructure construction linking industrial and urban service areas, attracting labor and developing major projects of the region;

+ Specialized cities mainly linked to tourist areas, economic zones, high-tech industrial parks such as Van Don, Cat Ba, Do Son, Cat Hai, Trang An, etc.;

+ Towns, district towns are county-level administrative-political centers, small and medium industrial centers, rural service industries, promoting industrialization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas, developing traditional crafts, trade services, agricultural services, improving public service quality and rural infrastructure systems.

d) Organizing industrial space in the Northern Coastal Region:

Forming key industrial areas in the region based on spatial development planning that utilizes the advantages of the region and each locality, including:

- Core urban area:

+ Developing leading industries; developing high-tech industries: shipbuilding, material production, construction, metallurgy, power generation, electromechanical, seafood processing, etc.;

+ Industrial zones located within the inner city of the city need to be reviewed and relocated outside the urban center.

- Counterbalance areas:

+ National Highway 18 industrial zone: developing energy, construction materials, mineral extraction and processing, machinery industries. Developing an industrial-urban spatial axis along the Kunming – Halong economic corridor and developing from Halong to Mong Cai;

+ Coastal expressway-linked urban industrial zones: light industry, food processing, consumer goods manufacturing, agricultural production services;

+ Industrial zones linked to Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh cities: developing light industry, electronics, light machinery, consumer goods production, and food processing. The Ninh Binh construction materials industrial zone needs to be controlled to ensure development according to planning.

- Key industrial areas:

The key industrial areas of the Northern Coastal Region are mainly concentrated in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, forming the main economic corridor of the region connecting with National Highways 5, 18, and 10 with the Capital Region, creating a strong urban axis with major developed cities and industrial-service clusters interspersed throughout the axis, forming a dynamic development area for the Northern Coastal Region.

For concentrated industrial zones and high-tech industrial zones, accelerate construction progress according to planning to put them into operation. In the short term, focus on creating favorable land conditions, investment attraction policies both domestic and foreign to fill existing industrial zones. Review the planning of industrial zones across the region to ensure sustainable development, environmental balance. Plan integrated residential areas and social technical infrastructure facilities serving industrial zones.

đ) Organizing tourism space in the region:

- Tourism potential of the region:

The Northern Coastal Region has significant tourism potential, particularly concentrated in the provinces and cities of Quang Ninh, Haiphong, and Ninh Binh, which are regions with large natural landscapes, marine-island ecosystems, coastal cultural-historical relics, traditional craft villages. In the region, there are natural conservation areas and national parks: Cat Ba National Park, Cuu Phuong National Park, Ba Mun-Bai Tu Long Nature Reserve, Halong Bay Natural Reserve, Ky Thuong, Xuan Thuy, Yen Tu, Van Long; nine saltwater wetlands, two marine conservation areas: Bai Long Voi Island, Cat Ba Island. Tourism and cultural-historical potential, a concentrated area of many cultural-historical relics, including many cultural-historical relics ranked.

+ Marine and island eco-tourism linked with cultural historical festival tourism, traditional craft villages, and agriculture in the Red River Delta, and satellite tourist destinations of the Hanoi Capital Region.

+ The tourism route system connects marine and island tourism centers, valuable cultural and historical sites, and festivals in the Northern Coastal Region to form a closed, diverse, and continuous route.

+ Selecting investment for building some national and international tourism centers. National level includes: Trà Cổ, Cô Tô, Yên Tử, Tran Temple (Nam Dinh) and regional-level tourist spots. International level includes: Halong Bay, Hai Phong City, Cat Ba Island, Trang An area, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.

- Organizing the tourism space of the Northern Coastal Region:

+ Central tourism space: Haiphong City, Halong City, Thai Binh City, Ninh Binh City, which gather historical, cultural, and traditional festival relics; magnificent natural marine and island areas such as Halong Bay, Cat Ba Island, and natural cave systems;

+ Satellite tourism space: developing in conjunction with cities within the region like Nam Dinh City, Mong Cai City, Thai Binh City, and the Cau Van – Xuan Thuy resort area;

- Major tourism regions:

+ Marine and island eco-tourism region: Halong – Cat Ba – Do Son;

+ Eco-tourism cave region, historical and cultural festival region: Trang An, Cuc Phuong National Park, the vicinity of Canh Ga hot spring area, and Van Long wetland area. This region has national-level historical and cultural relics, natural caves connected with Cuc Phuong National Park. Therefore, urban and industrial development must be strictly controlled to ensure sustainable development without disrupting the natural landscape and existing ecosystem;

+ Cultural festival tourism region of Yen Tu, Nguyen Binh Kiem Temple, Tran Temple, and scattered historical and cultural relics throughout the region; scenic sightseeing tourism region creating connections with the Hanoi Capital Region tourism;

e) Organizing the orientation for developing social service systems:

- Organizing commercial, healthcare, and sports service systems:

+ Building key commercial centers with roles in regulating and distributing goods within the region in Haiphong City, Quang Ninh Province, and Ninh Binh City;

+ Establishing high-quality regional healthcare centers in Haiphong City and Nam Dinh City to alleviate overloading at major hospitals in Hanoi Capital;

+ Constructing regional sports centers in Haiphong City and Nam Dinh City;

- Organizing educational training systems:

+ Organizing three regional training centers: Haiphong, Nam Dinh, and Halong. Among them, Haiphong City will take on the role of a central center to train human resources for the nation and the Red River Delta region. Currently, the entire region has 20 universities and colleges. It is planned to develop an additional 15 universities and colleges to meet the demand for human resource training in the region;

+ Public schools should have a scale of 10,000 to 12,000 students, private schools from 6,000 to 10,000 students, and vocational colleges from 3,000 to 5,000 students;

+ The distribution of educational institutions in the region creates additional momentum for city development, aiming to meet the needs of economic transformation in the region. Educational institutions need to invest in developing their facilities, student housing, and linking models with modern urban and industrial services;

7. Orientation for Developing Technical Infrastructure Systems

a) Transportation:

Developing the transportation system in the region: road, railway, waterway, and airway according to modern standards, aiming to connect synchronously and conveniently between localities, the region with adjacent regions, and southern provinces of China, thereby promoting economic and social development in the region;

- Road:

+ Building new important expressways connecting the Northern Coastal Region with the Hanoi Capital Region:

. Hanoi – Haiphong Expressway;

. Noi Bai – Halong – Mong Cai Expressway;

. North-South Expressway;

. Coastal Expressway (as per Resolution No. 09/NQ-TW dated February 9, 2007 of the Central Committee on Vietnam's maritime strategy vision to 2020);

+ Improving and upgrading national highways and provincial roads:

. Completing the construction of parallel roads along National Highway 5 to ensure traffic safety and meet Class I flatland standards;

. Upgrading and improving national highways belonging to the northern ring road system: National Highway 4B in Ring Road I, National Highway 279 in Ring Road II, National Highway 37 in Ring Road III;

. Upgrading and improving National Highway 10 from Quang Ninh to Nga Son (Thanh Hoa). Completing the parallel road system along National Highway 10;

. Upgrading and improving National Highways 12B, 39, 21B, 37, 18C;

. Upgrading some important provincial roads to national highways, upgrading some county roads to provincial roads, or constructing new roads where necessary to meet Class III, IV, ... standards;

+ Building new national highways and provincial roads:

. Building new National Highway 21A according to Class I flatland standards;

. Building new routes connecting Nam Dinh – Ha Nam – Hung Yen (from Nam Dinh City to Hoa Mac connecting with National Highway 39), Nam Dinh – Lam – Thien Ton connecting with the Ho Chi Minh Highway and the Ly Tuyen junction (Phu Ly – Ha Nam) crossing the Red River to Provincial Road 217 of Thai Binh Province and connecting with National Highway 10;

. Completing the border ring road and patrol road project in Quang Ninh Province according to the border road project being implemented by the Ministry of Defense;

. Building new routes to facilitate better connections between Thai Binh and Nam Dinh Provinces with the Hanoi Capital Region;

- Railway:

+ National railway:

. Building new national railways (according to 1,435 mm gauge standards) to meet transport demands in various directions;

. North-South high-speed railway;

. Hanoi – Haiphong high-speed railway to the international gateway port of Haiphong;

. Railway running parallel to National Highway 4B from Lang Son to Quang Ninh to Mui Chua Port according to 1,435 mm gauge standards (as per Decision No. 1151/QD-TTg dated August 30, 2004 of the Prime Minister approving the general planning for border region construction between Vietnam and China until 2020);

+ Regional railway:

. Building new Halong – Mong Cai railway;

. Coastal railway connecting Nam Dinh – Thai Binh – Haiphong – Quang Ninh;

Upgrade existing railway lines to the technical level specified for the North-South Railway, the Hanoi-Haiphong Railway, and the Kep-Bai Chay Railway; construct new lines from Yen Vien to Pha Lai and Bai Chay, and build some sections and branch lines connecting to ports, industrial zones, economic zones, and linking with existing lines.

+ Railway infrastructure system:

. Upgrade and renovate station systems in the region to meet long-term needs;

. Upgrade railway intersections with national highways to grade-separated interchanges. Railways passing through major cities will be constructed on elevated structures to avoid traffic conflicts within urban areas.

- Waterway transport:

+ Sea routes:

. Construct the international gateway port of Haiphong capable of accommodating ships ranging from 30,000 DWT to 80,000 DWT;

. Construct a new specialized port at Hai Ha serving heavy industry and energy;

. Renovate and upgrade the Cam Pha coal port and Hon Net port to serve the mining industry;

. Construct remaining berths at the Cai Lan port and Dinh Vu port;

. Construct a new international passenger port at Hon Gai;

. Study relocating the B12 oil port to the lower reaches of the Chan River;

. Haiphong Port: maintain the channel for ships ranging from 10,000 DWT to 20,000 DWT to enter and exit;

. Relocate the Hoang Dieu port for urban development and construction of an international passenger port;

. Ship channels in the Haiphong area: invest in dredging the Nam Trieu channel into Haiphong Port, with the main channel being the Lach Huyen channel via the Ha Nam canal;

. Construct the port and Search and Rescue Logistics Center.

+ Local ports:

. Upgrade and renovate existing ports such as Mu Chua, Van Hoa, Van Gia, Cai Rong, Dan Tien, Dien Cong (Quang Ninh), Diem Dien (Thai Binh), Hai Thinh (Nam Dinh) to serve local economic development, capable of accommodating ships ranging from 1,000 DWT to 2,000 DWT. Additionally, if conditions permit, invest in a new port in the Rang Dong area (Nam Dinh) to accommodate larger vessels serving the VINASHIN industrial zone.

+ River transport:

. Improve and complete major inland waterway routes: Bac Dam River, Bach Dang River, Cam River, Lach Tray River, Van Uc River, Thai Binh River, Luc River, Tra Ly River, Hong River, Ninh Co River, Day River, etc.;

. Improve and dredge river mouth systems such as Cam Mouth, Nam Trieu Mouth, Lac Giang Mouth, Van Uc Mouth, Day Mouth;

. Construct new ports at Nam Dinh and Tan De on the Hong River;

. Improve and construct a national river port system including ports in Haiphong, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Phuc;

. Improve and construct local port systems and other specialized ports;

. Study and plan river sections to create channels serving inland waterway transportation;

+ Potential ports and gateway ports in the Northern Region (2010-2025 period):

. Plan the potential Cam Pha port: a specialized port serving the mining industry and construction materials industry for ships over 30,000 DWT;

- Air transport:

+ Upgrade Cat Bi Airport to become a backup international airport for Noi Bai International Airport;

+ Maintain and upgrade the military airfield at Kien An;

+ Construct a new airport at Van Don (Quang Ninh);

+ Construct heliports at suitable locations to serve tourism, rescue operations, foreign trade, etc. (at Bai Long Vi Island, Co To Island, Cat Ba Island, Do Son, Tien Hai, Nghia Hung, Giao Thuy, Trang An, etc.);

Urban and rural transportation:

- Urban transportation:

+ Standards:

. The land allocated for urban transportation must reach 20-25% of the total area of the city's construction land;

. Average road density in central areas should be 6-8 km/km², and in other areas, 3-5 km/km²;²+ Organize the urban transportation system:².

. Construct entry and exit routes for central city gates,立体的翻译结果已经超过了限制，以下是剩余部分的直接翻译：

. Construct bypass roads around cities and form ring roads in cities where important routes pass through. Build bus stations to serve travel and tourism;

. Upgrade the urban transportation system in cities within the region. Select appropriate public transportation methods for each city (steam trains, steel rail trains, metro, buses, etc.);

. Study and reasonably construct underground transportation projects for each urban area.

- Rural transportation:

+ Upgrade the rural transportation network to connect with the national transportation network. Renovate traffic intersections and build grade-separated interchanges with national highways to ensure safety for road users;

+ Continue building village-to-village and commune-to-commune roads to form a continuous rural transportation network, ensuring that all rural transportation roads meet the standards for rural transportation, meeting the requirements for agricultural mechanization;

+ Strengthen the system of bridges and culverts to meet technical standards.

b) Technical preparation:

- Foundation work:

+ Respect natural topography, level the ground in steps for areas with significant slopes (such as in Quang Ninh and Ninh Binh);

+ Find solutions for combined drainage and protection of water resources to meet the needs of agriculture, industry, and urban areas, ensuring sustainable development;

+ Choose appropriate ground elevations for each city, rural settlement, plain, and coastal area, meeting transportation and drainage requirements to prevent flooding and tidal inundation;

+ Enhance monitoring of rising sea levels due to increased Earth temperatures.

- Stormwater drainage:

+ Drainage network standard for cities and towns should reach 100-140 meters of pipe per hectare of construction;

+ Standard for towns should reach 80-100 meters of pipe per hectare of construction;

+ In principle, separate stormwater drainage and sewage systems should be built;

+ Cities undergoing renovation, upgrading, or new construction may use either separate or combined systems based on specific conditions. The drainage network should be evenly distributed across the urban area, ensuring rapid drainage and avoiding localized flooding while maintaining environmental hygiene.

- Hydraulic works:

+ Construct flood diversion and retardation systems from upstream, build reservoirs and spillway systems to prevent salinity intrusion and store water in downstream areas.

+ Construct flood diversion and retardation systems from upstream sources, build reservoirs and overflow dams to prevent salinity intrusion and store water in downstream areas;

+ Strengthen afforestation and forest management in upstream areas to prevent soil erosion and increase forest coverage for protective purposes.

- Flood and storm prevention works:

+ Consolidate and upgrade coastal dyke systems to ensure safety against winds from category 9 to 12 and medium tides with a frequency of 5%.

+ Enhance mangrove planting and coastal protective forests to ensure flood and storm prevention and protection against coastal erosion.

c) Power supply orientation:

- Electrical load:

The electrical load of the Northern Coastal Region at various stages is as follows:

+ First phase: 11,400 MW (2008-2015);

+ Second phase: 13,400 MW (2015-2025).

- Power supply orientation:

+ Existing power sources: thermal power plants Uong Bi with a capacity of 105 MW, Pha Lai with a capacity of 1,200 MW, Ninh Binh with a capacity of 100 MW; hydroelectric plant Hoa Binh with a capacity of 1,920 MW;

+ Expected power sources: thermal power plant Hai Ha with a capacity of 2,400 MW, Mong Duong with a capacity of 1,200 MW, Cam Pha with a capacity of 600 MW, Cai Bang with a capacity of 1,200 MW, Mao Khe with a capacity of 1,200 MW, thermal power plants Hai Phong 1 and 2 each with a capacity of 1,200 MW, thermal power plant Hai Phong 3 with a capacity of 2,400 MW, thermal power plant Thai Binh with a capacity of 1,800 MW, thermal power plant Nam Dinh with a capacity of 1,200 MW.

+ Transmission lines: develop the grid to connect with the national power system to effectively utilize hydropower and thermal power projects. Construct the 500 KV transmission line from Soc Son to Quang Ninh, branch off to the 500 KV Hai Phong substation, and build 220 KV grids and 500 KV, 220 KV substations within the region.

+ Utilize other energy sources: research and develop solar, wind, and other energy sources to meet the needs of remote inland areas, islands.

+ Power supply orientation: by 2015, 100% of urban residents will have access to electricity for daily use; 100% of communes and villages will be connected to the national power grid, except for islands such as Co To and Bai Long Vi which will use diesel generators, wind energy, and solar energy.

- Water supply:

Protect water sources, maintain and improve existing water resources, expand and enhance the capacity of water reservoirs in the region, and explore new water sources to ensure safe and sustainable water reserves.

- Surface water:

Surface water is sourced from the Red River system and the Thai Binh River system through rivers such as Dao, Tra Ly, Da Do, Re, Gia. In the northern area (Quang Ninh), water is sourced from the Ka Long River, the Tien Yen River, and lakes like Yen Lap and Cao Van.

- Groundwater:

Groundwater in the region is limited and saline. Groundwater extraction is only allowed in areas far from surface water sources (rural areas, islands).

- Water supply orientation:

+ By 2015: 95% of residents in cities and towns and 85% of residents in market towns will have access to clean drinking water;

+ By 2025: 100% of residents in cities and towns and 95% of residents in market towns will have access to clean drinking water;

+ For rural residential areas, the ratio of clean water supply will be 85-95%.

d) Wastewater drainage and environmental sanitation:

- Domestic wastewater drainage:

+ Domestic wastewater in cities and towns must be treated before being discharged into the environment. In the initial stage, it will be combined with existing river and lake systems for biological treatment. In the long term, wastewater treatment plants meeting Class B standards (TCVN 5942-1995) will be built for towns and market towns. In market quarters and rural residential clusters, wastewater will be treated using natural purification methods.

- Industrial wastewater:

+ Wastewater from dispersed industrial enterprises will be locally treated to meet Class B standards (TCVN 5945-1995). Wastewater from centralized industrial zones must be treated at industrial wastewater treatment plants meeting Class B standards before discharge into the environment.

- Collection and treatment of solid waste:

+ Household solid waste: construct regional solid waste treatment facilities in major cities or metropolitan areas with organic fertilizer processing plants. In towns and market towns, sanitary landfills will be used.

+ Industrial solid waste: should be sorted at source for treatment and recycling. Hazardous industrial waste should be transported to regional inter-provincial solid waste treatment facilities.

- Cemeteries:

+ Construct provincial-level cemeteries near the core urban areas of provinces. In market quarters, concentrated residential clusters, and rural areas, establish separate cemeteries suitable for population size, located away from residential areas and water sources. Urban cemeteries should cover approximately 2.5-15 hectares, while village cemeteries should cover about 0.5-1 hectare.

đ) Environmental protection orientation:

- Establish an environmental management system for the region, linked to the management and prevention of water pollution in river basins within the region and other areas;

- Marine environmental protection: address degradation caused by erosion, sedimentation, protect marine ecosystems, and mangroves at river mouths and coasts. Preserve biodiversity: marine ecosystems, forest ecosystems, and coastal plain ecosystems;

- Develop plans and measures to respond to environmental disasters, catastrophes, and risks.

8. Orientation for agricultural and rural development.

- Rapidly transform the economic structure of agriculture and rural areas towards commodity production, high-tech agriculture, and clean ecological agriculture;

- Form regions for rice, vegetable, flower, ornamental plant cultivation, pig farming, dairy cattle breeding, poultry farming... with appropriate scales and high quality to serve exports and domestic consumption, thereby increasing product value per unit area;

- Develop small-scale industries, village industry clusters to improve the sophistication and design of products to meet export requirements and serve tourism;

- Invest in reinforcing and upgrading dike and irrigation systems, and promote agricultural extension services;

- Develop aquaculture and marine fisheries in areas with advantages and conditions permitting distant sea fishing. Establish centers for processing aquatic and marine products;

- Promote comprehensive forestry development with three types of forests: special-use forests, protective forests, and production forests. Reinforce and develop coastal protective forest systems;

- Build new rural models oriented towards industrialization and modernization, preserving the cultural identity of Vietnamese villages.

9. National defense and security

Stabilize defense and security bases throughout the region. Plan the overall defense and security system to ensure harmony between economic development and national protection, particularly in border areas and islands.

10. Priority programs and projects

In order to gradually implement the Construction Master Plan for the Northern Midland and Mountainous Region effectively, priority should be given to the following programs and projects in the initial phase:

a) Social infrastructure:

- Construct an international conference center for the region in Hai Phong;

- Establish educational facilities, universities, industrial high schools, and vocational training centers in provinces within the region;

- Build regional hospitals in Hai Phong and district-level hospitals in provinces within the region;

- Develop key commercial infrastructure projects in provinces within the region;

- Review and adjust urban and industrial planning that does not align with regional planning in provinces within the region;

- Trang An Cave Tourism Area in Ninh Binh Province;

- Construct regional sports centers in Hai Phong, provincial-level centers in Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh;

- Invest in developing tourist areas such as Tra Co, Van Don, Cat Ba, Do Son, Dong Chau, Keo Pagoda, Co Le, Con Lu – Con Vang, Con Thu, Quat Lam, Cuu Phuong, Van Long, Yen Tu, Tran Temple, Ancient Capital Hoa Lu... in Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh.

b) Technical infrastructure:

- Transportation:

+ Complete the construction of the Hanoi – Hai Phong expressway and the Dinh Vu – Cat Hai bridge;

+ Construct the Hanoi – Ha Long – Mong Cai expressway;

+ Build the international gateway port in Hai Phong;

+ Survey and develop plans for coastal expressways through provinces in the region;

+ Upgrade National Highway 39 from Dien Dien to Hung Yen in Thai Binh;

+ Upgrade Route 21 from Nam Dinh to Phu Ly and the Nam Dinh – Thinh Long section in Nam Dinh;

+ Construct a new route from Nam Dinh – Lam – Nho Quan in Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh;

+ Complete the Hanoi – Ninh Binh expressway;

+ Upgrade National Highway 10 from Ninh Binh to Phat Diem in Ninh Binh;

+ Upgrade Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong;

+ Construct a new airport in Van Don, Quang Ninh;

+ Build the Hai Phong – international port railway;

+ Upgrade the Diem Dien port in Thai Binh;

+ Upgrade Route 12B connecting Phat Diem – Ho Chi Minh Road;

+ Complete the port and Search and Rescue Service Center;

- Water supply:

+ Construct a cross-provincial water treatment plant in Yen Hung, Quang Ninh;

+ Construct and upgrade water supply plants in provincial regions.

- Power supply:

+ Complete and construct thermal power plants in Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh.

- Sewage and environmental sanitation:

+ Construct centralized waste treatment zones in provinces;

+ Construct a cross-provincial hazardous waste treatment zone in Quang Ninh;

+ Eco-cemetery;

+ Provincial-level public cemetery.

- Environmental protection:

+ Treat the environment in mining areas;

+ Develop an environmental monitoring program for urban areas and large industrial zones.

c) Economic infrastructure:

+ Complete industrial parks at provincial centers in Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh;

+ Construct the Ha Ha Port Industrial Park in Quang Ninh;

+ Construct the Van Don Economic Zone in Quang Ninh;

+ Construct the Quang Ninh – Hai Phong Cross-Provincial Economic Zone;

+ Construct the Van Uc River Port and Kien Bridge Industrial Park in Hai Phong;

+ Construct the Bac Cam River High-Tech Park in Hai Phong;

+ Complete the Cat Ba and Bai Long Vi Fishing Support Centers in Hai Phong;

+ Complete and construct the Thinh Long Port Industrial Park in Nam Dinh;

+ Complete the cement factory system in Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh.

11. Implementation Model

Establish a Provincial Steering Committee to direct regional-level programs and projects, creating conditions for mobilizing investment capital according to approved planning.

Article 2. This Decision takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

The Ministers of Construction, Planning and Investment, Industry and Trade, Finance, Natural Resources and Environment, Defense; the Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Phong City, the People's Committees of Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh Provinces, and related organizations are responsible for implementing this Decision.