Northern Thai Nguyen Province with Dynamism for Development

Thai Nguyen is the political and economic centre of northernmost region of Vietnam, the gateway for socio-economic exchange between the midlands and plains of Northern Vietnam. To attract investment, Thai Nguyen has built infrastructure for industrial zones in the most favourable locations. 

 

The province has eight industrial zones and 27 industrial smaller centres, with some 10,000 hectares of land for industrial development. Since the 1960s, the province has developed various industries, especially mining and metallurgy. Presently, it is a metallurgy centre of Vietnam and the local people and authorities are striving to make Thai Nguyen an economic and education centre of north eastern Vietnam.

With its advantages and favourable location, Thai Nguyen can cooperate with other provinces and cities to develop the economy, trade, tourism and education. According to forecasts, provinces and cities in Northern Vietnam will continue high growth rates to 2020. As a result, Thai Nguyen will have opportunities to supply inputs for the whole region. The province can also benefit from the economic development of Hanoi, Northern region and the whole of Vietnam.

 

As the cradle of Vietnamese metallurgy, the Thai Nguyen steel complex can annually supply millions of tonnes of steel ingots, rolled steel and others to the market. The province is also strong in mining, building materials and thermal power. Currently, the 1.5 million tonne capacity Thai Nguyen cement plant has started operating, producing high quality products. Cao Ngan thermal power plant contributes some 700 million Kwh yearly to the national grid. The province is accelerating the development of industrial zones, especially those near Hanoi.

 

Thai Nguyen is also a centre for education and training with 25 universities and colleges producing tens of thousands of engineers a year. Meanwhile, the province’s Nui Coc Lake is a famous tourist centre for the whole region.

 

 A key economic region

On July 1, 2004, the Politburo issued Resolution 37/NQ-TW on “the development of Thai Nguyen into an economic centre of the region.” On January 22, 2009, the Prime Minister concluded the “development of Thai Nguyen into a key economic region North of Hanoi and inside a high economic growth area.” Those are opportunities and challenges for the province in socio-economic development.

 

To achieve these goals, Thai Nguyen must increase its economic growth rate to above the regional average. In 2010-2020, its growth rate must exceed the 9-10 % of the region. Socio-economic objectives must be 1.3 times those of the region. Economic restructuring must be more profound and comprehensive. Urbanization must be faster. Economic restructuring and industrialization require a rapid increase in non-agricultural population, urban development, commercial centres and services. By 2020, urbanization is expected at 44-45 %.

 

According to Mr Pham Xuan Duong, Chairman of Thai Nguyen People’s Committee, to achieve those objectives, Thai Nguyen is making the best use of its advantages to attract investors. The province is upgrading Da Phuc port, Thai Nguyen – Hanoi highway and a series of investment projects. Administrative reform has been accelerated, facilitating business activities in compliance with Vietnamese law.

 

Thanks to those achievements, Thai Nguyen province has been rated with high growth rate and sustainable development, important industrial zones and big projects. Thai Nguyen City is expected to be classified as a Grade I City, with the historical relics of the Resistance base and Nui Coc tourist centre. With the completion of Thai Nguyen – Hanoi highway and improvement of the investment environment, dynamic Thai Nguyen stands ready for economic cooperation and sustainable development.