Since national economic reform, the southern province of Kien Giang has made remarkable achievements in socio-economic development. To stand firm in the new development stage, the province has paid attention to infrastructure upgrade as a driving force for socio-economic development on the way toward industrialisation and modernisation.
Focus on planning
Based on the regional planning approved by the provincial People’s Committee, Kien Giang has built National Highway 80 and Ho Chi Minh Highway, as well as works on the routes. The province has upgraded current wharves and expanded Rach Gia tourism service port and also planned to build a new port in Vinh Hiep and another wharf at Don Dong canal. The locality has made an overall planning of Rach Gia Airport by 2025 under Decision 977/QD-BGTVT approved on April 28, 2006 by the Ministry of Transport.
The local transport network has been improved, including main urban roads and inter-regional routes with horizontal section of 24-34m. The province is selecting a designer for a bridge in Rach Gia City to link the sea-encroached urban area to the 16-hectare urban area. It has expanded Song Kien and An Hoa bridges, while upgrading a number of inner-city roads. Director of the provincial Department of Construction Tran Van Thien said the department has cooperated with Rach Gia City People’s Committee and concerned agencies to give opinions to the provincial People’s Committee on the planning of solid waste management by 2025, as well as construction of a waste treatment plant for Rach Gia City and its neighbouring areas. The plant will cover 45ha in My Lam Commune, Hon Dat District.
Building Rach Gia into a modern and green city
Rach Gia is recognised as a city under Decree 97/2005/ND-CP issued by the Government on July 26, 2005. The city has a total area of 9,775.42ha, including 11 wards covering 5,261.42ha and a suburban commune of 4,514ha. It is a grade three city of Kien Giang Province and also an economic, cultural, political and sci-tech centre of the province. The city is connected to important roads, waterway and aviation routes to the South Western region and Cambodia. The project to adjust Rach Gia City’s overall planning at the scale of 1/5000 was approved by Kien Giang Province People’s Committee in line with Decision 257/QD-UBND issued on January 30, 2008. The project covers 10,780 ha, including 11 wards of 6,266ha and one suburban commune of 4,514ha. The land for urban development is 4,965ha with a population of 350,000.
The Department of Construction has joined hands with People’s Committee of Rach Gia City and concerned agencies to submit zoning projects to the provincial People’s Committee. Projects on Rach Gia City planning at the scale of 1/500 include an expanded sea-encroached urban area of 439ha, Phu Cuong new urban area and a 16ha residential area. Rach Gia bypass project is being implemented. Projects which have been approved and are still in the process of investment preparation include Vinh Quang cultural, sport and tourism area of 199.6ha; an urban area at Vinh Hiep Ward of 311.57ha; Rach Gia coastal urban area with 93.6ha and an administrative area on Tran Quang Khai street covering 32.6ha.
Currently, Kien Giang is calling investment for planned projects and green parks. The province has taken advantage of funding from the World Bank to improve residential areas and canals. Construction management in line with the approved planning and investment incentives have created a favourable local investment environment.
Thanh Tan
Vietnamese
