Improving Urban, Rural, and Tourism Development Planning

On December 8, 2025, Chairman of the Phu Tho Provincial People’s Committee presided over a meeting where the Department of Construction and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported on sectoral planning proposals to be integrated into the Phu Tho Provincial Master Plan for the period 202-2030, with a vision to 2050.

The long term vision targets Phu Tho as a centrally governed city by 2050, with an urbanization rate of 50 to 60%

Based on the Draft Resolution of the National Assembly Standing Committee on urban classification and the Resolution of the First Congress of the Phu Tho Provincial Party Committee for the 2025-2030 term, the Department of Construction proposed orientations for urban and rural development to 2030. Under this plan, Phu Tho will have one central urban area (the Van Lang Mega Urban Area, comprising the chain of former Viet Tri city, former Vinh Yen city, and the former Binh Xuyen district); five central urban areas of the economic region (Phu Tho, Phuc Yen, Thanh Thuy, Hoa Binh, Luong Son); 22 satellite urban areas; and eight newly upgraded urban areas.

Regarding golf course planning, after administrative consolidation, Phu Tho province will have fifty golf courses with a total area of approximately 9,638 ha. Seven courses are already in operation, while 43 courses or golf clusters are under construction, in the process of selecting investors, or undergoing procedures for investment attraction.

In his concluding remarks, Phu Tho Provincial People’s Committee Chairman Tran Duy Dong requested that departments review the current status of the province’s urban and rural areas; align planning with the Regional Plan approved by the central government; and strictly follow urban classification criteria such as natural land area and population size. He emphasized the need for planning solutions that meet established standards and allow for expansion toward interconnected ward and commune urban areas. The long-term vision targets Phu Tho becoming a centrally governed city by 2050, with an urbanization rate of 50 to 60%.

Agreeing with the golf course planning proposals, Tran Duy Dong underscored that golf is part of the province’s service economy and sports industry, playing an important role in promoting socio economic development. However, he directed a thorough review and assessment of the plan; detailed surveys of each golf course; and the removal of any courses that could affect agricultural land or residential land. Golf course planning must be integrated with tourism development, regional linkages, urban development, and resort services to ensure landscape compatibility.

By Giang Tu, Vietnam Business Forum