Stepping Up Communications on Dong Thap Province’s 2021-2030 Master Plan, with a Vision to 2050

(DTO) On the afternoon of July 14, the Dong Thap Provincial People’s Committee convened a meeting of the Steering Committee for implementing the Dong Thap Province’s Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, and reviewed the implementation of urban and rural planning across the province. 

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Pham Thanh Ngai, Chairman of the Dong Thap Provincial People’s Committee and Head of the Steering Committee for implementing the Provincial Master Plan, together with the province’s Vice Chairpersons. It was connected online with communes and wards throughout the province. 

At the meeting, a representative of the Department of Finance reported on the implementation progress following the approval of the Provincial Master Plan, as well as the completion of the draft implementation plan. 

Following the approval of the adjusted Provincial Master Plan, the Department of Finance has coordinated with relevant departments, agencies, and local authorities to advise the Provincial People’s Committee on carrying out planning tasks in accordance with legal regulations. To date, the province has completed dissemination of the adjusted Master Plan to all relevant departments, agencies, and localities. 

The province has also reviewed the entire Provincial Master Plan to identify priority tasks for the initial implementation phase and consolidate those to be specified in the implementation plan. To date, implementation following the approval of the adjusted Provincial Master Plan has largely remained on schedule. 

The draft implementation plan has been further refined to improve feasibility, clearly define responsibilities, timelines, and expected outputs for each task, while meeting management and implementation requirements for the 2026-2030 period. 

The Department of Construction also presented a report on the implementation of adjusted urban and rural planning following the approval of the Provincial Master Plan. 

Following the approval of the adjusted Provincial Master Plan, the Department of Construction compiled and submitted a proposal to the Provincial People’s Committee seeking approval to prepare general urban and rural plans, which has since been approved by the Provincial People's Committee. 

Accordingly, the province will prepare 82 general urban and rural plans, including 6 master plans for central urban areas with planning boundaries extended to surrounding communes (My Tho, Cao Lanh, Hong Ngu, Sa Dec, Cai Lay, and Go Cong); 15 master plans for new urban areas (Tan Hong, Tram Chim, Thanh Binh, Hoa Long, Phu Huu, Lap Vo, Thap Muoi, An Huu, Cai Be, Cho Gao, Gia Thuan, Tan Phuoc 1, Go Cong Tay, Tan Hoa, and Vinh Kim); and 61 rural commune master plans. 

For the five urban master plans prepared by the Department of Construction (My Tho, Cao Lanh, Sa Dec, Cai Lay, and Go Cong), the department has developed planning schedules, drafted cost estimates, prepared technical survey proposals, and completed draft planning terms of reference. 

As for the remaining 77 master plans prepared by commune- and ward-level People’s Committees, including the Hong Ngu urban master plan prepared by An Binh Ward, 15 master plans for new urban areas, and 61 rural commune master plans, one locality has submitted its cost estimate for appraisal, 10 have completed implementation plans, around 20 planning authorities have prepared cost estimates for approval, while the rest are working with consulting firms to finalize implementation plans and budget estimates. 

Concluding the meeting, Chairman Pham Thanh Ngai called on departments, agencies, and local authorities to strengthen public communication and awareness of the Provincial Master Plan while promptly finalizing comments on the implementation plan. 

Heads of provincial departments, as members of the Steering Committee, were instructed to thoroughly review delayed or missing tasks and ensure consistency with the approved Provincial Master Plan. 

The Chairman also emphasized that preparing commune-level master plans is a key priority. Relevant agencies were asked to promptly provide guidance to local authorities, while commune- and ward-level leaders were urged to proactively study and thoroughly understand local development directions and accelerate the preparation of their master plans. The Department of Construction and Department of Finance were tasked with actively supporting communes and wards throughout the planning process, including resource allocation. Any difficulties or obstacles should be reported promptly so they can be addressed without delay. 

By M. THANH
Translated by ANH DUC