Dong Thap: New Growth Momentum from Border Gate and Coastal Economic Zones

(DTO) Nguyen Nhat Truong, Head of the Dong Thap Provincial Economic Zone Management Board, said the Provincial People’s Committee has issued a plan to implement the Dong Thap Border Gate Economic Zone and the Go Cong Coastal Economic Zone for the 2026-2030 period. 

NEW MOMENTUM FOR BORDER TRADE 

Under the plan, the Dong Thap Border-Gate Economic Zone covers approximately 31,936 hectares across seven communes and wards, including the entire areas of Thuong Phuoc Commune, Hong Ngu Ward and Thuong Lac Ward, as well as parts of Tan Hong, Tan Ho Co and Tan Thanh communes and An Binh Ward. 

For the Dong Thap Border Gate Economic Zone, the province will revise the general master plan through 2030, with a vision to 2045. It will also review and adjust zoning plans for Dinh Ba International Border Gate and Thuong Phuoc International Border Gate. The province will review, prepare new and adjust zoning and detailed plans for auxiliary border gates, as well as relevant urban and rural plans within the border gate economic zone. 

One of the key tasks is to upgrade the Moc Ra Auxiliary Border Gate to a main border gate by 2030. Dong Thap will also invest in external connectivity infrastructure, including the Dinh Ba-Cao Lanh Expressway, National Highway 1 and the Tan Chau-Hong Ngu Bridge, and the upgrading and expansion of National Highway 30. The province will also invest in, renovate, upgrade and expand expressways, national highways, provincial roads and inter-commune roads in line with approved plans. 

The province will coordinate with Cambodia’s Prey Veng Province to invest in connecting roads at Thuong Phuoc International Border Gate and Moc Ra Auxiliary Border Gate, and upgrade bridges at Dinh Ba International Border Gate and Thong Binh Auxiliary Border Gate. Dong Thap will also focus on completing border gate infrastructure, prioritizing Thuong Phuoc and Dinh Ba international border gates and Moc Ra Border Gate. In particular, the province will step up investment promotion and attract projects to potential sub-zones within the border gate economic zone. 

To create a foundation for effective development of the border gate economic zone, Dong Thap will improve communications and the public disclosure of planning information and the list of projects calling for investment in the zone. 

The province will focus on concretizing the development orientations for the economic zone set out in the provincial master plan. At the same time, it will complete plans for functional areas, urban areas and rural areas as a basis for project investment and more effective use of land within the border gate economic zone. 

The province will continue to complete technical infrastructure at international border gates and improve land use efficiency within the border gate economic zone. In particular, it will step up efforts to attract investment from businesses, economic organizations and other legally mobilized sources of funding to develop the zone. 

Dong Thap will develop a feasible and effective investment promotion plan for the border gate economic zone and diversify approaches to attracting investment in technical infrastructure and secondary projects. Priority will be given to projects involving advanced technology, green and clean industries, processing, trade and services, urban development and logistics. 

EXPANDING THE DEVELOPMENT SPACE FOR THE MARINE ECONOMY 

The Go Cong Coastal Economic Zone in Dong Thap Province covers 26,700 hectares across five communes, including the entire areas of Gia Thuan and Tan Dien communes and parts of Tan Dong, Go Cong Dong and Tan Phu Dong communes. 

For the Go Cong Coastal Economic Zone, Dong Thap will prepare a proposal for its establishment. The province will also develop a master plan for the coastal economic zone and review, adjust and prepare new zoning and detailed plans within the zone after the master plan is approved. At the same time, the province will review investment in external connectivity infrastructure, upgrade and expand expressways, national highways, provincial roads and inter-commune roads, develop seaports, and attract investment projects to potential locations within the coastal economic zone. 

To establish and develop the coastal economic zone in a coordinated manner, Dong Thap will strengthen the leadership and direction of Party committees and authorities at all levels throughout the process of planning, establishment and development of the economic zone. The province will also step up communications and provide consistent information on planning, land policies and relevant support policies to build consensus during implementation. 

Dong Thap will prioritize the development of seaport services and logistics, explore the development of a logistics center within the coastal economic zone, and effectively leverage the area’s advantages for large vessel access to the coastal waters and the Soai Rap River. 

The province will also prioritize investment in modern, integrated, green and smart reclaimed land urban areas, linked with new coastal urban, service and tourism spaces. This will gradually expand the development space, create momentum for the marine economy and improve land use efficiency. 

From the border gates to the coast, the establishment and development of the two economic zones will help expand development space, create new growth poles and enhance the area’s investment appeal. This will provide a foundation for Dong Thap to effectively capitalize on its advantages in location, trade connectivity and the marine economy during the 2026-2030 period. 

By M. THANH
Translated by ANH DUC