Building Mekong Delta regional plan in 2021-2030, vision to 2050

On Thursday (November 26) in Can Tho city, the conference on the master plan of the Mekong Delta region will be held under the chairmanship of Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, and the participation of the leaders of ministries, agencies, and localities.

The conference will discuss the draft master plan and major issues which are key content in the long-term regional development strategy.

"This is the first regional master plan being built in the new method in line with the guideline in the Law on Planning. The comments, especially from regional localities will be particularly useful to build a master plan that can match all demands and desires of the people, and can resolve all obstacles during the development process, garnering widescale support," Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong said at the press conference yesterday (November 23).

Moreover, 13 out of the 13 cities and provinces in the Mekong Delta region have already been assigned to build their own master plans. "So their comments on the regional master plan will also make sure synchronicity," Phuong added.

So far, the MPI has organised about 17 conferences, 12 official meetings with ministries, agencies, and Mekong Delta regional localities, as well as held numerous discussions with local and international experts.

Most agreed to promote agricultural development towards high quality, in combination with the promotion of services, eco-tourism, and the processing industry to enhance value and competitiveness. Infrastructure should be developed synchronously, disaster resistance and climate change adaption should be improved, while land and water resources should be exploited reasonably.

Some of the key contents awaiting comments are the role and position of Mekong Deltaregion in the general national master plan; how to draw up sub-regions; the reduction of cultivation land area; the development of seafood; the development of some focal points; and the direction of urban development.

Previously, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) was approved by the government to build the planning of the Mekong Delta region in 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050 in Decision No.1163/QD-TTg dated July 31.

Thus, the MPI collaborates with a consultancy from the Netherlands to assess factors like natural conditions, resources, socioeconomic situation, as well as pointing out some views on targets and directions for regional development priorities.

Mekong Deltaregion is the coastal area in the lower Mekong River, one of the wealthiest plains, covering 13 cities and provinces, with a population of 17.3 million (20 per cent of the country's population) and area of 40,500sq.km (capturing 12 per cent of the country's area). This region is rich in rivers, channels, canals, and features a diverse, unique culture. However, the Mekong Delta region is also facing a lot of challenges caused by climate change, rising sea levels, and other obstacles to socioeconomic development like floods, droughts, and salinisation.