In addition, to best avail of the province’s potential, Ba Ria-Vung Tau People’s Council ratified a resolution on building two major routes approaching the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau expressway with a total investment value approximating $500 million.

Hoang Trung Kien, director Ba Ria-Vung Tau Transport Infrastructure Project Management Board, revealed that these two projects are set for execution between 2024-2027. The approach roads will also ensure connectivity with the existing National Highway 51, and the prospective Ring Road 4, which will soon begin construction, allowing easier access to Hiep Phuoc Port in Ho Chi Minh City.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits the project site in mid-February

Furthermore, the first-phase of Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway, passing through Ba Ria-Vung Tau, is nearing completion of the site clearance phase, according to Nguyen Cong Vinh, Deputy Chairman of Ba Ria-Vung Tau People’s Committee.

Relevant contractors are in full swing and should reach completion before October next year, three weeks ahead of the schedule set by Resolution No.90/NQ-CP.

Once the projects have been completed, travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau will be curtailed to just 70 minutes, instead of the current 150 minutes, providing better access to the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port cluster and Long Thanh International Airport.

During recent meetings with investors and the business community, Ba Ria-Vung Tau's leaders stressed the importance of finalising key transport routes linking Ba Ria-Vung Tau with other localities in the southeast.

Towards this goal, the province has placed emphasis on turning the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port cluster into an international transit hub on a regional and global scale, forming a national logistics centre and a seaport-associated free trade area in Cai Mep Ha, along with pushing the development of high-tech and eco parks.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau's provincial planning for 2021-2030 towards 2050 leverages the development of three key economic pillars to entice potential investors and high-quality human resources to the province.

The first pillar is centred on the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port cluster, the second is Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway and Ring Road 4, and will encompass industrial services and urban complexes located in Phu My town and Chau Duc district, while the third pillar will be tourism development along Provincial Route 994 and the approach road linking to Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway.

The space shall encompass a chain of coastal resorts to take advantage of the local scenic beauty, as well as the area's cultural and marine potential.

Chairman Nguyen Van Tho

The coastal resort chain will be closely attached to the development of the tourism urban system connecting Vung Tau-Long Hai-Phuoc Hai-Ho Tram and Binh Chau.

Con Dao Island will also be included in the plan and be developed into an island resort of international standard, while maintaining its status as a nationally recognised historical site and its crucial role in national defence and security.

The province’s planned area for seaport and industrial development covers Phu My town, Ba Ria city, west of Chau Duc district, and in the west and southwest of Vung Tau city.

This area will focus on the development of seaports and multi-sector services, connecting with Ho Chi Minh City's Belt Roads 3 and 4 and several other highways in the southeast.

Perfecting local infrastructure, particularly the multimodel transport system, should bolster the efficiency of the Moc Bai-Ho Chi Minh City-Bien Hoa-Vung Tau economic corridor and the trans-Asia economic corridor.

According to Nguyen Van Tho, Chairman of Ba Ria-Vung Tau People's Committee, the province has strictly adhered to the target of ensuring social equality alongside economic development and improving people’s spiritual and material life.

“Efforts will also gear towards taking initiatives in tackling climate change, promoting sustainable development, and supporting the green transition, thereby contributing to achieving Vietnam’s net-zero target by 2050 as committed at COP26,” said Tho.