Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has recently signed Decision 371/QD-TTg approving the master plan for the Central Highlands region in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. According to the plan, the Central Highlands region includes the entire administrative boundaries of the five provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Lam Dong.

The plan aims to develop the Central Highlands in a sustainable manner with a green and circular economy with large-scale production areas for industrial crops, fruit trees, flowers, and as a national renewable energy hub. It also aims to establish high-quality tourism destinations that attract both domestic and international tourists.

The Central Highlands region is expected become Vietnam’s renewable energy hub by 2050

The master plan aims to preserve and develop the rich culture and ecological space of the Central Highlands. Forest ecosystems will be conserved and enhanced. Modern and integrated infrastructure will serve as important platforms to connect the Central Highlands with major economic centers nationwide and facilitate international economic integration. Cultural identity will be promoted as a foundation for development. Economic development will be harmoniously combined with social progress, environmental protection, and cultural preservation.

The five Central Highlands provinces will focus on large-scale organic farming with concentrated agricultural production areas applying high technology based on the natural conditions of each sub-region. They will develop key crops, including industrial crops such as coffee, rubber, cashew, black pepper, tea, strawberries, cotton, sugarcane, fruit trees such as durian, avocado, passion fruit, rambutan, jackfruit, medicinal plants, Ngoc Linh ginseng, vegetables, and temperate flowers. Livestock farming and aquaculture will also be developed, with a focus on cold-water aquatic animals, such as salmon and sturgeon.

Agricultural hubs will be established and linked to high-tech agricultural zones and economic corridors, connecting value chains of agricultural products among different localities.

The Central Highlands region is developing its forestry economy to improve the livelihoods of forest workers. Restructuring the forestry sector towards sustainability is linked to national target programs. High-tech forestry zones are being established. Forest-based economic development is being promoted, encouraging the cultivation of productive forests in suitable areas, providing a source of raw materials for wood processing factories. Sustainable development of material zones ensures economic efficiency while protecting the environment in logging and wood processing activities.

In industrial development, the region prioritizes processing and manufacturing industries, industries with high added value and technological content, and environmentally friendly industries that leverage the region’s advantage in raw materials. Industrial clusters and zones are being formed, along with central urban areas and economic corridors. Effective linkages with the Central, South Central, and Southeastern regions are being established.

The development of mechanical industries to serve agriculture, forestry, the processing of agricultural and forest products, mineral exploitation and processing, as well as craft production, is also being promoted.

The Central Highlands region is developing its service sector in a mutually supportive relationship with agriculture and industry. It focuses on developing supply and consumption markets within and outside the region through corridors linking the region and major seaports to promote exports to international markets.

The region is promoting trade based on specific conditions of urban and rural markets, combining traditional and modern approaches. It aims to enhance cross-border trade by strengthening infrastructure investment at key international border gates.

Logistics services are linked to economic centers and corridors that connect trade activities within the region, between regions, and support the production of goods for domestic sale and export. The region is promoting ecotourism, resort tourism and cultural tourism along with preserving the cultural values of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands. Efforts are being made to improve the quality of tourism products and services, with a focus on the cultural space of the gongs, traditional festivals, coffee culture, and community-based tourism.