Decision 1399/QD-TTg 2023 approving the Master Plan of Ben Tre province for 2021-2030, with a vision toward 2050

DECISION

Approving the Master Plan of Ben Tre province for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050

_________________

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated June 19, 2015; the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Administration dated November 22, 2019;

Pursuant to the Planning Law dated November 24, 2017;

Pursuant to the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of Eleven Laws Related to the Planning Law dated June 15, 2018;

Pursuant to the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of Thirty Seven Laws Related to the Planning Law dated November 20, 2018;

Pursuant to the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 61/2022/QH15 dated June 16, 2022, on continuing to enhance the effect and effectiveness of the implementation of planning policies and laws and a number of solutions for removing difficulties and obstacles, accelerating the formulation and improving the quality of master plans for the 2021-2030 period;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 37/2019/ND-CP dated May 7, 2019, detailing a number of articles of the Planning Law;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 58/2023/ND-CP dated August 12, 2023, amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Government’s Decree No. 37/2019/ND-CP dated May 7, 2019, detailing a number of articles of the Planning Law;

Pursuant to the Government’s Resolution No. 119/NQ-CP dated September 27, 2021, on tasks and solutions to improve the quality and accelerate the formulation of master plans for the 2021-2030 period;

Pursuant to the Government’s Resolution No. 78/NQ-CP dated June 18, 2022, promulgating the Government’s Program of Action to implement the Political Bureau’s Resolution No. 13-NQ/TW dated April 2, 2022, on orientations for socio-economic development and national defense and security assurance in the Mekong River delta in the Mekong Delta for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050;

Pursuant to the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 81/2023/QH15 dated January 9, 2023, on the National Overall Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050;

Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 287/QD-TTg dated February 28, 2022, approving the Master Plan of the Mekong River delta for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050;

At the proposal of the People’s Committee of Ben Tre province in Report No. 5780/TTr-UBND dated September 20, 2023, on reporting for approval of the Master Plan of Ben Tre province for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050; Official Letter No. 6929/UBND-TH dated November 10, 2023 of the People's Committee of Ben Tre province, on completing and returning the draft decision on the Master Plan of Ben Tre province and Official Letter No. 6937/UBND-TH dated November 10, 2023 of the People's Committee of Ben Tre province, on implementing the contents according to the Government Office’s Notice No. 430/TB-VPCP dated October 23, 2023; Appraisal Report No. 1091/BC-HDTD dated February 20, 2023 of the council for appraisal of provincial master plans for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050; Official Letter No. 5054/CV-HDTD dated June 30, 2023 of the council for appraisal, on reviewing dossiers of provincial-level master plans for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050.

DECIDES:

Article 1. To approve the Master Plan of Ben Tre province for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050 (hereinafter referred to as the Master Plan), with the following major contents:

I. SCOPE AND BOUNDARIES OF THE MASTER PLAN

The scope and boundaries of the Master Plan of Ben Tre province cover the entire mainland territory of Ben Tre province and the marine space determined in accordance with the 2012 Law on Vietnamese Sea, and the Government’s Decree No. 40/2016/ND-CP dated May 15, 2016, detailing a number of articles of the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment.

II. DEVELOPMENT VIEWPOINTS, OBJECTIVES AND BREAKTHROUGHS

1. Viewpoints

a) To ensure the Master Plan’s adherence to the Party’s and State’s development line and guidelines, viewpoints and objectives of the national socio-economic development strategy; to ensure the Master Plan’s conformity with the national overall master plan and plan, national sectoral master plans and plans, master plans and plans of the Mekong River delta, and relevant master plans and plans.

b) To bring into the fullest geo-economic potentials and advantages for rapid and sustainable socio-economic development. To determine the rational and effective organization of new development space in coastal areas as the direction and vision of the master plan in order to develop the East into a dynamic marine economic zone and a new development driving force area of the province. To develop green economy, circular economy and digital economy in association with transforming a new growth model based on productivity, quality, and growth efficiency.

c) To economically, rationally and effectively use natural resources, especially soil, sand and water resources; to actively carry out digital transformation (based on three pillars: digital government, digital economy, digital society), and apply science, technology, and innovation. To arouse the desire to develop and promote cultural values and human factors; to regard the people as the center, subject, motivation and objective for development; to effectively three national target programs in the area in association with social security. To closely combine socio-economic development with environmental protection, ecological balance, nature and biodiversity conservation, and adaptation to climate change; assurance of national defense and security, and political stability and social order and safety; to conserve and promote traditional cultural values; to strive for the goal that the people have civilized, prosperous and happy lives.

2. Objectives through 2030

a) General objectives

To strive by 2023, Ben Tre province becomes a well-developed province of the country with a synchronous socio-economic infrastructure system; importance is attached to developing the marine economy; processing, manufacturing and new energy industries in association with environmental and ecological protection and adaptation to climate change; urban areas are modern while rural areas are imbued with cultural identities and friendly tourism; national defense, security and social order and safety are guaranteed; and the people have civilized, prosperous and happy lives.

b) Specific objectives

- With regard to economic objectives

+ The gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth rate will reach 10 – 10.5% per year on average.

+ The proportion of industry - construction, services, agro-forestry-fisheries, and taxes less subsidies to the GRDP will be about 31 - 33%, 44 - 46%, 17 - 19%, and 3 - 5%, respectively; and the per-capita GRDP will surpass VND 170 million.

+ The total export turnover will grow 13.5 - 14.5% per year on average.

+ Total Factor Productivity's contribution into GRDP growth will reach about 45%; Digital infrastructure, digital economy, and digital society are strongly developed so that the digital economy will account for 25 - 30% of GRDP by 2030.

- With regard to social objectives

+ The urbanization rate of the whole province will reach 50%.

+ The population growth rate will reach about 0.22 - 0.24% per year.

+ The rate of trained workers will reach about 75%, of whom more than 40% possess diplomas or certificates; the growth rate of social labor productivity will reach 7.0 - 7.5% per year; The proportion of agricultural workers will decrease to below 25%; to create jobs for 18,000 - 20,000 workers per year.

+ The rate of poor households classified based on multidimensional poverty standards will be below 2.5%.

+ There will be about 12 medical doctors and 32.5 hospital beds per 10,000 people; and the health insurance coverage rate will reach 98%.

+ The rate of early childhood schools, primary schools, lower secondary schools, and upper secondary schools attaining the relevant standards will reach 75%, 70%, 80%, and 90%, respectively.

- With regard to the environment

+ The forest coverage rate will remain stable at about 2.1%.

+ The proportion of urban residents using clean water will reach 98 - 100%; The proportion of residents in the province using clean water from centralized water supply systems will reach 85%.

+ The rate of collected and treated domestic solid wastes in urban areas and rural areas will reach 98.5% and over 90%, respectively.  The rate of hazardous wastes treated safely according to regulations will reach at least 85%.

+ The rate of collection and treatment of domestic wastewater in Ben Tre city and in urban centers of grade IV will reach at least 50% and 25 - 40%, respectively.  

- With regard to national defense and security: to assure national defense and security, and build an orderly, disciplined and safe society, contributing to ensuring peaceful and happy lives for the People.

3. Vision toward 2050

Ben Tre province will become a prosperous province with modern and smart urban systems and green and clean living environment, and a place worth living; to strive to become a specific urban administrative unit of grade I as well as a satellite urban area of Ho Chi Minh city; the growth pillars will have a high level of development and become important development drivers of the Mekong River delta and the whole country; society is developed in a harmonious, civilized and modern manner; the environment, order, discipline, security, safety and natural landscape are preserved; the people develop comprehensively and have prosperous, civilized, and happy lives.

4. Development breakthroughs

a) To focus on developing coastal transport infrastructure, seaports, logistics infrastructure, processing and manufacturing industry, renewable energy, new energy (green hydrogen); development of urban - service - integrated tourism, and hi-tech agriculture to adapt to climate change.

When meeting the conditions and criteria prescribed by the law provisions and approved by competent authorities, to gradually expand the space toward the East to reserve land for attracting investors to carry out investment projects in infrastructure, creating a coastal economic corridor connecting with the southern economic driving region and Ho Chi Minh city.

b) To research on, develop and deploy breakthrough mechanisms and policies to effectively attract investment capital sources into priority programs and projects for development investment in the province in accordance with the law provisions. To proactively apply science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

c) To promote administrative reform, focusing on reforming administrative procedure, enhancing provincial competitiveness, building digital government and digital society. To develop human resources with high qualifications, and adopt policies to attract, appreciate and provide incentives to talents, especially those in administration and fields of processing and manufacturing industry, renewable energy, new energy (green hydrogen), transportation, logistics, digital transformation and hi-tech agriculture.

III. ORIENTATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SECTORS AND FIELDS, AND PLANS FOR ORGANIZATION OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

1. Orientations for development of important sectors and fields

a) Industries

To focus on developing the intensive processing industry of agricultural products; metal processing; manufacturing and assembly of electrical, electromechanical, and mechatronic equipment and component assemblies; power generation (renewable energy and new energy) and chemicals; to encourage investors to focus on large scale and apply modern and energy-saving technologies that do not pollute the environment:

- To build a number of high-quality agricultural, aquatic and food processing industrial clusters in association with concentrated raw material areas to accelerate the restructuring of the agricultural sector towards large-scale, high-quality, highly efficient commodity production that meets international standards and serves export.

- To attract investment to strongly develop the industries of electrical equipment manufacturing, electronics, information technology, telecommunications, production of optical products, software, products serving smart urban construction; wind power projects, liquefied natural gas, waste and biomass electricity projects; to develop new energy sources (green hydrogen); to construct, renovate, upgrade and develop new power grid infrastructure.

- To create linking in production of mechanical engineering, manufacturing, construction and supporting industries; chemical and medical pharmaceutical products; green hydrogen, green ammonia; chemicals for agriculture and equipment for agricultural product processing.

b) Agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

Ben Tre will become a focal center for agriculture towards modernity and high technology, with green economic models and circular economy. To build areas for aquaculture, animal husbandry and organic agricultural production meeting domestic and international standards, and exploiting seafood with high economic value; to apply digital technology in management and production associated with intensive processing industrial clusters; to produce concentrated goods along the value chain, improve the economic efficiency of products, trace the origin, and ensure food safety and hygiene.

c) Services

- To mobilize resources for building infrastructure in service of tourism and trade for rapid and sustainable development.

- To research on, build and develop high-quality tourism products imbued with unique features of river eco-tourism of the "coconut land" (Ben Tre province). To develop three main types of tourism: cultural tourism, eco-tourism combined with resorting, and entertainment tourism.

- To develop Ben Tre province as a regional trade center and economic trade center of the Mekong River delta.

- To consolidate and develop goods distribution channels in a civilized and modern direction; To harmoniously combine the development of traditional forms of commerce with the development of e-commerce. To attract investment in construction of trade centers, exhibition fairs, supermarkets and markets; To focus on developing logistics infrastructure, especially transportation infrastructure, warehouse infrastructure and application of new and digital technology. To promote exports and expand markets; to proactively embark on economic integration and make the fullest use of free trade agreements (FTAs).

- To build domestic and international exhibition and fair models; to carry out cooperation, joint ventures and associations in production, marketing of products, services and consumption; to promote trade promotion, and create the most favorable conditions for the province's products and services to participate in prestigious domestic and international exhibitions and fairs.

d) Marine economy

To create breakthroughs in industrial development; renewable energy, clean energy; hi-tech aquaculture, fishing and processing of seafood; maritime economy (sea transport); services and tourism; entertainment and coastal golf courses; to build green, smart and sustainable cities in association with preserving biodiversity and marine ecosystems.

2. Orientations for development of other industries and fields

a) Education and training, and development of human resources:

- To innovate and improve the quality of education and training, international integration, and develop human resources with high qualifications. To effectively implement educational innovation programs at all levels.

- To develop a system of vocational education institutions associated with career transition. To attach importance to enhancing the quality of specialized education for people with disabilities and supporting the development of inclusive education.

- To build national standard schools, and pay attention to education development in difficult areas. To link and cooperate with advanced educational institutions at home and abroad; to promote socialization in education and training development.

b) Health and healthcare

- To develop a synchronous, quality and effective healthcare system. To invest in facilities and equipment for provincial, district, specialized, and intensively specialized health establishments to meet the needs of medical examination and treatment and healthcare of the people.

- To build a team of doctors and nurses with intensive profession. To rapidly develop high quality medical services. To effectively implement epidemic prevention and control, take care of and protect the people's health, and be ready to respond effectively to future epidemics. To promote socialization in medical development.

c) Science, technology and innovation

To accelerate the application of scientific and technological achievements, striving for Ben Tre province to become one of the centers of science, technology and innovation in the Mekong River delta; to have a modern and synchronous system of technical infrastructure and equipment; to have a team of science and technology staff capable of absorbing, mastering, developing and transferring advanced technology, with a focus on breakthrough development areas of the province.

d) Social security

To fully and promptly implement regimes and policies and promote the mobilization of social resources to better perform social security. To focus on sustainable poverty reduction, creating favorable conditions for people to fully access social security services; to implement gender equality; to guarantee children’s rights; to develop care and nurturing facilities for children with special circumstances and lonely elderly people. To step up the prevention and control of social evils.

dd) Culture and sports

To preserve and promote local traditional cultural values. To restore, preserve and embellish historical and cultural relics in the area, prioritizing cultural and historical relics ranked at the national level, in combination with exploiting and developing tourism.

To strongly develop the mass sports movement and high-performance sports in sports that the province has strengths.

e) Information, media and telecommunications

- To build digital government, digital economy, digital society, and promote production and business activities towards applying digital technology, forming and developing competitive digital technology enterprises in the market.

- To strongly develop all types of press information, focusing on developing all types of electronic information; to apply Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data (Big Data) technology in collecting and processing information and producing programs; to strengthen communication management on digital platforms.

g) National defense and security

To build and consolidate solid defense areas, maintain sovereignty and security at sea; to maintain political security, social order and social safety, promote prevention and control of social evils, and ensure the people's peaceful and happy lives. To ensure the implementation of the project to build combat bases and technical logistics bases in the defense area of Ben Tre province.

3. Plan on organization of socio-economic activities

The Plan on organization of socio-economic activities of Ben Tre province is organized into 3 socio-economic zones and 5 economic corridors, specifically as follows:

a) Three socio-economic zones, including:

- The eastern coastal zone (covering districts of Ba Tri, Binh Dai, Thanh Phu and marine space in Ben Tre province): To serve as the driving force for development of the province, in which breakthroughs are the marine economic sectors, and priority is given to the development of industries and fields: industry; renewable energy, clean energy; hi-tech aquaculture, fishing and processing of seafood; maritime economy (sea transport); services and tourism; entertainment and golf courses; industrial zones and clusters; building of green, smart and sustainable cities associated with preserving biodiversity and marine ecosystems; ensuring harmony between conservation and development.

- The northern Ham Luong river zone (covering Ben Tre city, Chau Thanh district, and Giong Trom district): To focus on developing Urban - Services - Industry - Agriculture towards high technology (the pillar is industry - urban satellite market for big cities such as Ho Chi Minh city). To maximize the advantages of economic corridors passing through: the axis running along Ben Tre city - Giong Trom urban center - Ba Tri urban center; the axis running along Cho Lach urban center - Chau Thanh urban center - Binh Dai urban center; and the axis running along Chau Thanh urban center - Ben Tre city - Mo Cay urban center.

- The southern Ham Luong river zone (covering districts of Mo Cay Bac, Mo Cay Nam and Cho Lach): To focus on developing Industry - Services - Agriculture towards high technology (the pillar is hi-tech agricultural economy and ecotourism). To effectively exploit 2 economic corridors passing through: the axis running along Cho Lach urban center - Mo Cay urban center - Thanh Phu urban center; and the axis running along Chau Thanh urban center - Ben Tre city - Mo Cay urban center.

b) Five economic corridors, including:

- 03 development corridors in the West - East (Eastern Economic Corridors) include: the Economic Corridor running along the main axis of National Highway 57B; the economic corridor running along the main axis of National Highway 57C; the economic corridor running along the main axis of National Highway 57. Focuses are developing processing and manufacturing industry, hi-tech agriculture, eco-tourism, services and trade, and urban centers.

- 02 development corridors in the North - South include: the economic corridor running along National Highway 60 and CT33 Expressway, and the economic corridor running along the coastal road connecting coastal urban areas in 3 districts (Binh Dai, Ba Tri and Thanh Phu) and connecting the coastal areas of Tra Vinh and Tien Giang provinces and Ho Chi Minh city. Focuses are developing processing industries, manufacturing, renewable energy, clean energy, logistics services, seaports, marine eco-tourism, high-end recreation facilities, golf courses, and green and smart cities.

IV. PLANS ON DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM OF URBAN, RURAL AND FUNCTIONAL AREAS

1. Plan on arrangement of district- and commune-level administrative units

To review and rearrange district- and commune-level administrative units for the 2021-2030 period under the Political Bureau’s Resolution No. 37-NQ/TW dated December 24, 2018, and the Political Bureau’s Conclusion No. 48-KL/TW dated January 30, 2023, and the National Assembly Standing Committee’s Resolution No. 595/NQ-UBTVQH15 dated September 12, 2022, on further implementation of the policy on arrangement of district- and commune-level administrative units for the 2021-2030 period.

The names, geographical boundaries and plans for arrangement of district- and commune-level administrative units must comply with decisions of competent authorities.

2. Plan on development of the urban system

- To develop mechanisms and policies to promote rapid development of the urban system in accordance with the potential and culture of each urban area; to economically and effectively use land resources; to expand and upgrade existing urban areas that do not meet standards; to accelerate the pace of urbanization, and develop the urban system associated with the development of functional areas (industrial parks, industrial clusters; tourist sites; research and training institutions; sports facilities).

- When all conditions and criteria are satisfied as prescribed, to strive for the target that by 2030, Ben Tre province will have 37 urban centers, of which Ben Tre city is a grade-I urban center (smart and ecological city); 03 grade-III urban centers; 02 grade-IV urban centers; and 31 grade-V urban centers. In particular, the orientation for development of urban centers is as follows:

+ Ben Tre city is the center of administration, politics, culture, commerce, logistics, tourism, entertainment, and eco-resort, industrial development and training that provides human resources with high qualifications for industry, services and other economic sectors, and acts as the development nucleus of the province;

+ Chau Thanh urban center and Giong Trom town are satellite urban centers with the role of reducing pressure on population, social and technical infrastructure for Ben Tre city;

+ Urban centers of Cho Lach, Phuoc My Trung, Mo Cay, Binh Dai, Ba Tri, Thanh Phu are the central urban centers of the sub-region;

+ The remaining urban centers act as administrative, economic, cultural and commercial centers of district-level administrative units.

 (Details are provided in Appendix I to this Decision)

3. Plan on development of rural areas

a) To develop concentrated rural residential quarters according to the model of new-style countryside, and develop residential quarters in association with agricultural production areas suitable for the natural characteristics, customs and culture of each region, adapting to climate change.

b) To develop craft villages in association with conservation and promotion of traditional culture, bearing the characteristics of each locality; To associate the development of rural industries with agricultural production and cottage industry, and development of eco-tourism, agricultural tourism, and school tourism.

c) To organize rural residential quarters into 3 socio-economic zones as follows:

- The northern Ham Luong river region, to develop hi-tech agriculture, tourism, and cottage industry.

- The southern Ham Luong river region, to develop fruit tree growing areas (green-skinned pomelo, durian, mangosteen, rambutan, etc.); to grow ornamental flowers, produce fruit tree varieties, and develop concentrated animal husbandry.

- Coastal areas, to strongly develop marine economy, high-quality rice growing, vegetable growing, salt production, seafood processing; to develop tourism and marine services.

4. Plan on development of functional areas

a) Industrial parks and clusters

- To invest in completing technical and social infrastructure of industrial zones and clusters to attract investment, especially investors with financial resources, advanced technology, effective and eco-friendly management, and high added value; to prioritize attracting investment to develop industrial parks and clusters in the northern and eastern regions of the province in association with the development of the northern Ham Luong river region and coastal areas.

- To develop 07 industrial parks with a total area of 1,372 hectares by 2030.

- To plan on development of 14 industrial clusters with a total area of 918 hectares.

(Details are provided in Appendix II to this Decision)

b) Areas for expanding coastal development space (oriented for expanding about 50,000 hectares)

When conditions and criteria are satisfied as prescribed by the law provisions and approved by competent authorities, to gradually expand the coastal space towards the East to create a breakthrough driving force for the province's socio-economic development. This zone focuses on strongly developing the marine economy associated with ensuring national defense and security, protecting the environment, preventing coastal erosion and adapting to climate change. To prioritize the development of high-tech industries and fields, intensive processing industries of agricultural, fish and seafood products, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, logistics services, urban centers, trade, resort tourism and entertainment, culture and sports, golf courses in the following zones:

- Expanded Thanh Phu zone: to develop industry; port; urban; tourism, services - trade, aquaculture.

- Expanded Ba Tri zone: to develop industry; urban; tourism, service - trade; seaport; aquaculture.

- Expanded Binh Dai zone: to develop industry; seaport, logistics; urban; resort tourism and entertainment, sports, golf courses, services - commerce; and to be oriented for building a non-tariff area associated with Binh Dai seaport.

c) Concentrated agricultural production areas

- To develop hi-tech agricultural production areas, concentrated animal husbandry, crop farms, aquaculture areas, large-scale specialized farming areas that apply advanced and modern technology, and integrate with intensive processing. To develop high-quality rice production areas in Ba Tri district and Giong Trom district, and shrimp-rice production areas in Thanh Phu district; coconut production areas in districts: Giong Trom, Mo Cay Nam, Mo Cay Bac, Chau Thanh, Binh Dai and Thanh Phu; concentrated areas for fruit growing in localities in the province; concentrated animal husbandry areas in districts: Mo Cay Nam, Mo Cay Bac, Giong Trom, Chau Thanh, Ba Tri, Thanh Phu.

- To build concentrated aquaculture areas according to VietGAP and organic standards in districts of Binh Dai, Ba Tri, Thanh Phu.

d) Tourist sites

To invest in the construction of resorts, historical tourism, entertainment, high-end eco-tourism, and community tourism. To attract investment in developing general service areas, resorts, entertainment, sports and golf courses.

(Details are provided in Appendix III to this Decision)

dd) Other functional areas: To develop research and training areas; sports facilities; some specialized centers.

e) Conservation areas

To conserve and develop eco-tourism, experience and discovery in nature and biodiversity conservation areas; to repair and restore historical-cultural relics and scenic spots in the province.

g) Military and security zones

To comply with regulations in decisions of the Prime Minister, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security and current regulations on military and security zones.

h) To develop difficult and especially difficult areas

- To effectively implement national target programs in the province. To prioritize focusing on developing agricultural production, selecting a number of suitable crops and livestock; to build medium-scale farm economic development models to attract local workers; to promote the development of cottage industry production and handicraft industry, associated with preserving and promoting traditional values, developing eco-tourism and community tourism. To prioritize development support programs and projects serving agriculture and rural areas; To support the development of production of products with export markets; to produce products using local raw materials and labor.

- To strengthen attraction and socialization of investment capital sources, integration of capital sources from national target programs, other programs and projects investing in socio-economic infrastructure development and production development. To complete transportation infrastructure to the commune center, roads for groups and hamlets, infrastructure for water supply, drainage, waste treatment, electricity and other infrastructure.

V. PLANS ON DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES

1. Plan on development of the transport network

a) Roads

- Expressways, national highways, and coastal roads must comply with the master plan and plans for development of road network for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050.

- Provincial-level roads:

+ To renovate and upgrade 05 existing provincial-level roads and invest in building 10 new provincial-level roads; to upgrade and build new urban roads and district-level roads according to urban and rural master plans, district and inter-district construction master plans.

+ To upgrade and build new bus station systems in districts and cities; to build public parking lots in central areas of districts and cities and in industrial parks, residential quarters, commercial and service areas, and administrative areas; to strengthen the underground parking system (if any) in parks, flower gardens, large-scale construction complexes, and arrange centralized parking lots combined with other functions of land use to ensure convenient and safe connection.

(Details are provided in Appendix IV to this Decision)

b) Waterways

- National inland waterways: To coordinate with ministries, central branches and relevant localities to develop inland waterways on Tien River, Ham Luong River, Co Chien River, Chet Say Canal - Ben Tre River, Mo Cay canal and ditch, Cho Lach canal.

- Local inland waterways: To invest in inland waterway infrastructure, focusing on developing water transport corridors connecting with regional hubs; to develop multi-purpose waterway transportation, ensuring both goods transportation needs and tourism development, and harmonious connection with irrigation and agricultural solutions in the region, ensuring saltwater intrusion prevention and freshwater storage.

(Details are provided in Appendix V to this Decision)

- Seaports: To build a port system according to the infrastructure planning in accordance with the overall master plan and plan for developing Vietnam's seaport system in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050, serving the socio-economic development of the province, including wharf areas: Giao Long wharf area, Ham Luong wharf area, Thanh Phu wharf area, Binh Dai wharf area, other satellite wharfs, pontoon quays, transshipment anchorage zones, and storm shelter zones combined with a fishing ports.

- Inland waterway ports: To develop 24 cargo ports according to local socio-economic development needs and 10 clusters of passenger and tourism ports and wharves, serving passenger transport and tourism development on main river routes such as Tien River, Ham Luong River, Co Chien River, etc.

- To develop infrastructure for fishing ports and storm shelter zones to ensure they meet technical standards and regulations according to regulations and national sectoral master plan, and requirements for adaptability to climate change and sea level rise; to invest in construction of Binh Dai fishing port (grade I), Ba Tri fishing port (grade II), Thanh Phu fishing port (grade II); to invest in upgrading and expanding storm shelter zones and fishing ports: Cua Dai (Binh Dai district); Co Chien (Thanh Phu district); Ba Tri (Ba Tri district).

(Details are provided in Appendix VI to this Decision)

c) Inland clearance deports: To invest in building 01 inland clearance deport in Binh Dai district, closely combined with seaports to form a continuous system for receiving goods supply chains and serving the marine economic zone.

d) Specialized airports: To coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Transport to research and invest in building a specialized airport in Ba Tri district to serve rescue, tourism development and coastal economic zones.

2. Plan on development of the power supply network

To focus on developing power sources and grids in accordance with viewpoints, objectives, orientations and plans for development of power sources and grids, ensuring satisfaction of the criteria and scientific grounds specified in Decision No. 500/QD-TTg dated May 15, 2023 on approving the National Power Development Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050 (Power Master Plan VIII) and the Regional Master Plan of the Mekong River Delta in the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 287/QD-TTg dated February 28, 2022.

To focus on developing renewable energy sources, clean energy and new energy. Investment in power source development must ensure compliance with the plan for implementation of Power Master Plan VIII; comply with the conditions, standards, and scientific grounds specified in Power Master Plan VIII, and be approved by competent authorities in accordance with regulations.

To continue building, upgrading and renovating transformer stations and 500kV, 220kV and 110kV power lines, medium-voltage and low-voltage lines connected to new power sources to meet increasing load needs, especially in industrial parks and clusters; to gradually replace the existing overhead medium-voltage and low-voltage power grids with underground ones, ensuring safe and stable power supply.

 (Details are provided in Appendix VII to this Decision)

3. Plan on development of the information and communications network

- To develop the network of telecommunications infrastructure facilities, improve the quality of broadband mobile network to cover 100% of the population, combine investment and upgrade underground infrastructure facilities, and lay underground peripheral infrastructure.

- To develop information technology infrastructure, digital infrastructure, and internet of things (IoT) network that is interconnected, synchronous, and modern to serve comprehensive digital transformation, develop digital economy, digital society, and digital government; to build a data integration center using cloud computing technology and a common data sharing and integration platform, creating a foundation for synchronous e-government development according to the national e-Government architecture framework.

- To develop postal services towards digital services; to effectively exploit and apply the address code platform associated with digital maps (Vpostcode). To develop the journalism and communications industry in a professional and modern direction. To form and develop a safe and convenient digital environment serving sustainable development based on the strong application of science and technology.

(Details are provided in Appendix VIII to this Decision)

4. Plan on development of irrigation, water supply and drainage networks

a) Plan on development of the irrigation network

- To develop the multi-purpose irrigation network for water supply and water drainage in combination with natural disaster prevention and control, aquaculture, domestic and industrial water supply and ecological environment improvement, ensuring to meet technical standards. By 2030, to complete construction of all dykes, dykes combined traffic, and unarranged saltwater control culverts under the dykes of My Tho River (Tien River), Ham Luong River and Co Chien River, and separate Northern Ben Tre and Southern Ben Tre.

- To focus on developing irrigation works for sub-regions:

+ Northern Ben Tre sub-region: To invest in building and upgrading the system of dykes and culverts under dykes to cover the entire freshwater area into a closed area to control salinity and store fresh water for production. The region includes 03 irrigation zones: Ba Lai upstream irrigation zone, Giong Trom - Ba Tri irrigation zone and Binh Dai irrigation zone.

+ Southern Ben Tre sub-region: To invest in building, upgrading and completing the dyke system of western Cho Lach irrigation zone, Cho Lach - Mo Cay Bac irrigation zone and Mo Cay Nam - Thanh Phu irrigation zone.

(Details are provided in Appendix IX to this Decision)

b) Plan on development of the water supply and drainage network

To continue investing, completing, expanding, renovating and upgrading water plants and water supply pipeline networks to ensure water needs of urban areas, industrial zones and clusters. To invest in building water plants and pipeline networks to ensure water supply for new urban areas. To build a centralized water supply system with appropriate scale and capacity for each rural residential area.

To prioritize focusing on completing the drainage system to prevent flooding for low-lying areas; industrial zones, clusters, hospitals; and new urban areas; to build separate drainage systems to reuse rainwater, save on investment in wastewater treatment. For old urban areas, to renovate and build common drainage systems and choose effective and appropriate solutions; suburban areas and rural residents use common drainage systems, and domestic wastewater must be pre-treated before being discharged into common drainage systems; In the long term, to build a separate wastewater collection and treatment system in high-density population areas.

(Details are provided in Appendix X to this Decision)

5. Plan on development of commercial, service and logistics infrastructure

- To attract investment resources for commercial, service and logistics activities, associated with the requirements of economic restructuring and international economic integration. To focus on developing commercial centers and supermarkets; fair - exhibition center; to upgrade local traditional markets in the province; to develop a modern night-time economy associated with the province's cultural traditions.

- To effectively exploit the province's economic corridors for developing trade and logistics services in association with supply chains; to strengthen linkages, trade cooperation, transit, and connection of the province's commodity market with the Mekong River Delta, Ho Chi Minh city and the Southeast region.

(Details are provided in Appendix XI to this Decision)

6. Plans on development of waste and wastewater treatment zones

- Waste treatment: To develop waste treatment infrastructure systems to ensure treatment of all generated solid wastes; to strive to develop centralized waste treatment by region (at inter-district and inter-commune regional solid waste treatment zones); to transform waste treatment technology using biological treatment technology with biomass recovery or incineration, towards electricity generation; to thoroughly handle unsanitary landfills that pollute the environment.

- Wastewater treatment:

Urban domestic wastewater: To build separate wastewater drainage systems in urban areas (old urban areas of Ben Tre city use separate drainage systems). To build and upgrade wastewater treatment plants in urban areas.

Industrial wastewater: To build and operate centralized wastewater treatment plants in industrial parks, industrial clusters, and craft villages to ensure treatment meeting environmental technical standards before discharge; wastewater generated from production, business, and service establishments operating in industrial parks, industrial clusters, and craft villages must be preliminarily treated before being connected to centralized wastewater collection and treatment systems according to regulations.

Rural areas: To follow with the new-style countryside plan. To encourage the construction of centralized wastewater collection networks and treatment stations.

(Details are provided in Appendix XII to this Decision)

7. Plan on development of fire prevention, fighting and rescue

To plan locations for construction of fire prevention, fighting and rescue infrastructure works in the centers of districts, cities, urban areas, industrial parks, industrial clusters, commercial zones with high risk of fire and explosion, and forests in the province; to ensure convenient transportation, water sources, and communications, in accordance with national sectoral master plans on fire prevention and fighting infrastructure and meeting current regulations.

VI. PLAN ON DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

1. Plan on development of the network of health establishments

- To develop the health system meeting the people's health examination and treatment needs; to enhance the operational efficiency of the preventive medicine and disease control system.

- To train and develop human resources with sufficient quantity, quality, and structure to meet the needs of protecting, caring for, and improving the people's health. To encourage socialization of investment in the construction of modern private hospitals and non-public health establishments.

- To build 07 new public health establishments and units; to upgrade infrastructure, facilities, and medical equipment at hospitals, agencies, provincial health units and 09 district/city medical centers in accordance with the task of protecting, caring for and improve people's health.

(Details are provided in Appendix XIV to this Decision)

2. Plan on development of the network of education and training institutions

- To review, adjust and invest in building and upgrading the network of education institutions at all levels towards modernity and standards; to innovate and improve the quality of teaching and learning to meet practical requirements and ensure access to education for students.

- To upgrade 09 district-level district vocational and continuing education centers, coordinate with training institutions to implement vocational education at intermediate level.

- To establish the Southwest University under Ho Chi Minh City National University on the basis of upgrading the branch of Ho Chi Minh City National University in Ben Tre.

(Details are provided in Appendix XV and Appendix XVI to this Decision)

3. Plan on development of cultural and sports institutions

- To promote socialization in the field of culture and sports. To reserve land and space for area expansion and new construction of cultural and sports infrastructure.

- To preserve, protect and promote the province's cultural identity. To preserve, invest, embellish and promote the value of historical and cultural relics and scenic spots, giving priority to cultural and historical relics ranked at the national level. To take care of building grassroots cultural life, especially in rural areas, disadvantaged areas and areas with industrial parks and industrial clusters. To promote the mass sports movement and develop high-performance sports that the province has strengths.

- To develop a system of cultural and sports facilities to meet the people's needs for creativity and enjoyment of cultural and sports values. To newly build the provincial-level library, sports center, sports complex; to attract investment in building golf courses in service of sports and tourism in Binh Dai district, ensuring the most economical, sustainable and effective exploitation and use of land resources.

(Details are provided in Appendix XVII to this Decision)

4. Plan on development of scientific and technological infrastructure

- To build a synchronous and modern science and technology infrastructure system. To actively seek new technology, cooperate in transferring technology and scientific research results. To promote the application of science, technology and innovation in all industries and fields.

- To establish the Provincial Information Technology and Digital Transformation Park; to invest in and develop the Science and Technology Center, improve the capacity for absorbing and applying advanced technology, transferring technology and supporting science and technology activities for agencies, organizations and enterprises.

5. Plan on development of vocational education and social security institutions

- To reorganize, invest in building and upgrading facilities and equipment for public vocational education institutions. To socialize vocational education, meeting the requirements of human resource training in the province.

- To fully and promptly implement regimes and policies and promote socialization, care for people with meritorious services, and social protection. To quickly narrow the gap between the rich and the poor and development gaps between regions and localities in the province, ensuring sustainable poverty reduction. To implement gender equality; to guarantee children's rights; to care for children with special circumstances, lonely elderly people, people with disabilities, and mentally ill people. To promote prevention of social evils. To upgrade facilities and equipment for existing social assistance facilities.

(Details provided in Appendix XVIII to this Decision)

VII. PLANS ON LAND ALLOCATION AND ZONING

To use land resources effectively and economically, ensuring sustainable development in the future; to comply with the national land use master plan and plans. To ensure rational land allocation on the basis of balancing land use demands of sectors and fields in conformity with the norms under the 2021-2030 National Land-Use Master Plan, approved by competent authorities.

By 2030, the total natural land area of Ben Tre province is 237,970 hectares, of which: agricultural land area is 173,446 hectares; non-agricultural land area is 64,122 hectares; unused land is 402 hectares.

The implementation of projects after this master plan is approved must ensure land use norms for the 2021-2030 period and the 5-year land use plan for the 2021-2025 period, allocated to Ben Tre province according to Decision No. 326/QD-TTg dated March 9, 2022 of the Prime Minister and Decisions on adjustments and supplements (if any) of competent authorities according to regulations.

The People's Committee of Ben Tre province is responsible for developing provincial-level land use plans, district-level land use master plans and plans in accordance with land allocation and zoning plans by functional areas and land types in the provincial master plan to serve as a basis for land recovery for purposes of national defense and security, socio-economic development for national and public benefits in accordance with the Land Law.

(Details are provided in Appendix XIX to this Decision)

VIII. PLANS ON CONSTRUCTION OF INTER-DISTRICT AREAS AND DISTRICT AREAS

1. Plan on construction of inter-district areas

- The northern Ham Luong River inter-district area, consisting of the entire administrative boundary of Ben Tre city, Chau Thanh district, Giong Trom district, will be the key area and the main driving force that make the fullest use of natural conditions to develop hi-tech agriculture, industrial parks, and industrial clusters associated with waterway and road transportation systems; to develop sustainable tourism based on cultural - historical advantages, natural landscapes of Ham Luong and Tien rivers, associated with the province's driving corridors of National Highway 60 and Expressway CT33.

- The southern Ham Luong River inter-district area, consisting of Mo Cay Nam district, Mo Cay Bac district and Cho Lach district, will be a multi-sectoral development area including Industry - Services - Agriculture associated with the province's driving corridors of National Highway 60, Expressway CT33 and National Highway 57.

- The coastal inter-district area, consisting of Thanh Phu district, Ba Tri district and Binh Dai district, will be the economic, cultural and social development area of the coastal region of Ben Tre province in the direction of multi-sectoral integration including Industry - Services - Agriculture associated with the province's driving corridors of National Highway 57, National Highway 57B, National Highway 57C and economic corridor along the coastal road. The marine economic zone belongs to three districts of Binh Dai - Ba Tri - Thanh Phu. To exploit the advantage of location to develop the tourism industry (marine tourism) and international shipping.

2. Plan on construction of district areas

- Chau Thanh district will be the area for developing fruit tree growing agriculture; industrial development associated with agricultural production and processing; developing the vegetable center of the Mekong Delta; developing smart agricultural urban centers, clean industries and integrated tourism services.

- Giong Trom district will be developed in association with Ben Tre city and Ba Tri urban center in terms of trade and services associated with urban and industrial development; agriculture development associated with processing industry.

- Cho Lach district will be a key area and a trade hub in the northeast of Ben Tre province, focusing on developing trade, services, and developing high quality agriculture, seedlings - ornamental flowers, and fruit trees.

- Thanh Phu district will be a key area in the south of Ben Tre province, focusing on developing agriculture, eco-tourism and energy.

- Mo Cay Bac district will be a large fruit-growing agricultural development area of Ben Tre province, with industrial development associated with agricultural processing and production activities.

- Ba Tri district, Binh Dai district, Mo Cay Nam district will be the driving regions, focusing on developing general service urban centers towards establishing district-level urban administrative units (establishing towns) in districts: Ba Tri, Mo Cay Nam, Binh Dai in the period up to 2030.

IX. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION; PROTECTION, EXPLOITATION AND USE OF RESOURCES; DISASTER PREVENTION AND CONTROL, AND CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE

1. Plan on environmental protection, and nature and biodiversity conservation

a) With regard to environmental zoning

- Strictly-protected areas: Concentrated residential quarters in grade-I, grade-II, grade-III urban centers; surface water sources used for domestic water supply purposes in accordance with the law on water resources; nature conservation areas in accordance with the law on biodiversity, forestry and fisheries; category-1 protection areas of historical-cultural relics in accordance with the law on cultural heritage; core areas of natural heritage sites in accordance with the law on environmental protection.

- Low-emission areas: Buffer zones of strictly protected areas; important wetland areas; corridors for protection of surface water sources used for domestic water supply in accordance with the law on water resources; concentrated residential areas being the inner areas of grade-IV and grade-V urban centers in accordance with the law on urban classification; aquatic recreation facilities in accordance with the decision of the Provincial-level People's Committee.

- Other areas: The remaining areas in the province.

(Details are provided in Appendix XX to this Decision)

b) With regard to biodiversity conservation

- To effectively conserve endemic species that have scientific and economic value in the province; The area of natural forests and wetlands will be considered for inclusion in exploitation and conservation strategies at different levels.

- To research and establish natural heritage for planned conservation areas; and coconut seed and gene conservation facilities in Ben Tre province.

- To build and develop a number of conservation areas and conservation facilities for precious and rare species of animals and plants on the verge of extinction; to build community-based models of biodiversity protection and management, develop plans to stabilize life for people in conservation areas and plans for migration and resettlement; to attach importance to developing eco-tourism and sightseeing tours; to promote support for production investment in buffer zones.

(Details are provided in Appendix XXI to this Decision)

c) With regard to environmental protection orientations at waste treatment facilities and cemeteries

Orientations for environmental protection at waste treatment facilities: Waste treatment facilities must be located outside urban centers, ensuring a safe distance for environmental hygiene according to current standards, and not located near water sources or wind directions; equipped with a complete technical infrastructure system for thoroughly collecting and treating leachate; using advanced and modern technology.

d) With regard to environmental quality monitoring

To develop infrastructure, equipment, and monitoring networks for each type of environment; to build automatic environmental monitoring stations, water environment monitoring stations and air environment monitoring stations. By 2030, there will be 20 automatic and continuous monitoring stations for surface water environment, 87 periodic monitoring points for water environment (60 points for surface water, 12 points for underground water, 9 points for rain water, and 6 points for coastal sea water); there will be 03 automatic and continuous monitoring stations for the air environment and 41 periodic monitoring points for the surrounding air environment; 32 periodic monitoring points for the soil environment; and 27 periodic monitoring points for the sedimentary environment.

dd) With regard to sustainable development of special-use forests, protection forests, production forests and development of forestry infrastructure

- Special-use forest area will reach about 2,413 hectares; Protection forest area will reach about 6,097 hectares; Production forest area will reach about 1,163 hectares.

- To develop a system of forestry roads linked to routes in service of patrolling and forest protection in combination with serving ecotourism. To strengthen capacity and invest in facilities and technical information infrastructure of the forestry sector in a synchronous and modern manner, especially infrastructure serving forest management and protection, and fire prevention and fighting.

2. Plan on protection, exploitation and use of mineral resources

- To conduct investigation and planning in service of exploration, exploitation and use of minerals as common construction materials: by 2030, 19 exploration and mining areas of backfill sand will be delineated; by 2025, 10 mining areas of backfill sand will be delineated.

- To plan riverbed sand mineral reserve areas with a vision toward 2050: there will be 17 planned reserve areas with a total area of about 3,890.6 hectares

- To delineate areas banned and temporarily banned from mineral exploitation, including: 17 areas banned and temporarily banned from sand mining and exploration (of which: Tien River - 6 areas, Ham Luong River -7 areas, Co Chien River - 4 areas). Areas where mineral activities are banned or temporarily banned will be implemented in accordance with the law and approved by competent authorities.

- The plan for protection, exploration, and exploitation of sand and minerals for construction materials in Ben Tre province in the 2021-2030 period must ensure synchronization, unity, and compliance with the Master Plan and Plan for protection, exploration and exploitation of sand and minerals as construction materials approved by competent authorities.

- The plan for protection, exploitation and use of mineral resources must ensure compliance with the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 866/QD-TTg dated July 18, 2023, on the Master Plan for exploration, exploitation, processing and use of minerals for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050; other relevant national sectoral master plans and plans.

(Details are provided in Appendix XXII to this Decision)

3. Plan on exploitation, use, protection of water resources, on prevention, control and remediation of water-caused harms

a) Functional zoning of water sources

- Rainwater sources have the function of providing water for irrigation and domestic use; flow regulation; socio-cultural functions; ecological support function.

- Surface water sources have the following functions of providing water for domestic use (SH); providing water for agricultural production: cultivation, animal husbandry, and aquaculture; water supply for industrial production; navigation function (GTT).

- Ground water sources (groundwater) have the function of providing water for domestic use.

- Coastal seawater sources have functions of providing water for aquaculture; renovating entertainment and eco-tourism landscapes; To provide nutrients, silt, restore the ecosystem, etc.

b) Allocation of water resources

- To prioritize the allocation of water sources to water users in the following order: (1) water for domestic use; (2) Water for agricultural production; (3) Water for fisheries; (4) Water for tourism and services; (5) Water for industrial production.

- In case of drought or water shortage: The allocation ratio for water exploitation and users is 100% for domestic use, 90% for industry, 85% for tourism - services, 80% for agriculture, and 75% for fisheries.

c) Backup water sources for domestic use

- To use underground water sources to enter the treatment system and then distribute to each household.

- In places where the population is scattered, canals and ditches will be dredged and households' tanks will be used.

d) Protection of water resources

To rationally exploit and use surface water and underground water resources; to restore polluted water sources; to build monitoring and supervising networks for the exploitation and use of water resources; to strictly control underground water exploitation and use activities, limit exploitation of aquifers at risk of saltwater intrusion.

dd) Prevention, control and remediation of water-caused harms

To formulate plans to monitor, forecast, and promptly notify high tides and sea level rise within the province; to ensure the safety of works to prevent riverbank and coastal erosion; to strengthen the system of river dykes, sea dykes, sluice gates for preventing saltwater intrusion, preserve fresh water, protect and develop protective forests; to review areas that are likely to lack fresh water to change crop structure accordingly.

(Details are provided in Appendix XXIII to this Decision)

4. Plans on disaster prevention and control and climate change response

a) Zoning of risk-prone areas for each type of disasters in the province and identification of areas prioritized for prevention and control of each type of disasters

- Floods from the upstream of the Mekong River through canals.

- Saltwater intrusion and heat in districts of Chau Thanh and Cho Lach.

- Floods due to high tides and heavy rains: Low-lying areas without irrigation works and at-risk islands in districts of Cho Lach, Mo Cay Bac, Chau Thanh.

- Riverbank and coastal erosion in districts of Binh Dai, Ba Tri, Thanh Phu, Chau Thanh, Cho Lach, Mo Cay Nam, Mo Cay Bac, and Ben Tre city.

- Thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, storms in coastal districts.

- Forest fires in districts of Thanh Phu and Binh Dai.

b) Plan on natural disaster risk management and response to climate change

- To conduct timely and effective forecasts and warnings, and establish monitoring and evaluation systems of impacts of natural disaster risks and climate change. To ensure the capacity of the infrastructure system to adapt to climate change; to renovate, upgrade and build new natural disaster prevention works to ensure safety for the people. To update the natural disaster prevention database in the province.

- To effectively deploy plans to respond to climate change in the province. To focus on building and updating the list and strengthening inspection and supervision of fields and facilities that must conduct greenhouse gas inventories.

X. LIST OF PROJECTS PRIORITIZED FOR INVESTMENT

- Based on the development orientations of key industries and fields, to identify large and important projects, creating motivation to promote growth and socio-economic development to invest and attract investment, depending on the demands and capacity to balance and mobilize investment capital in each period, ensuring compliance with orientations and law provisions.

- Projects prioritized for investment in the province that have been identified in the national overall master plan, national land use master plan, master plan of the Mekong River delta, and national sectoral master plan, will be implemented in accordance with resolutions and decisions on approving the above master plans.

(Details are provided in Appendix XXIV and Appendix XXV to this Decision)

XI. SOLUTIONS AND RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MASTER PLAN

1. Focusing on mobilizing resources for development investment

a) Based on the capacity to balance the state budget, to prioritize investment capital for important technical and social infrastructure to direct and attract investment from other economic sectors, creating resources to promote rapid and sustainable development of the growth driving regions in the province. For other capital sources, to diversify investment forms, encourage public-private partnership (PPP) investment and other investment forms, and strengthen domestic and foreign investment promotion to mobilize investment capital for infrastructure development and production and business projects in the province.

b) To promote administrative reform, improve the business investment environment, enhance provincial competitiveness, create breakthroughs in attracting investment capital in accordance with the law provisions in infrastructure development, especially the transportation infrastructure system; to attract and increase the proportion of foreign direct investment capital in total social investment capital.

c) To develop breakthrough policies and mechanisms in accordance with the law provisions to attract strategic investors capable of directing and forming ecosystems of key economic sectors. To promote socialization in the fields of education and training, healthcare, environmental protection and other social welfare fields.

2. Developing human resources

a) To attract human resources with high qualifications and skilled workers in association with economic restructuring; to promote vocational training and strengthen connections between vocational education institutions and the labor market and enterprises; to formulate policies and mechanisms to attract labor, especially high-quality labor; to ensure material and spiritual life for workers to work and live for a long term in the province. To effectively use human resources for economic sectors, especially for key sectors, processing and manufacturing industries, logistics and seaports.

b) To improve the quality of cadres, civil servants and public employees to meet the province's development requirements. To adopt policies to attract, appreciate and provide incentives to talents in all socio-economic sectors and fields in the province.

3. Environmental protection

To properly carry out the public communication on environmental protection. To apply standards of developed countries on environmental management; to develop and apply models of circular economy, clean production, and efficiency of energy and resources, etc. in all sectors and fields in the province. To actively cooperate with neighboring localities and strengthen international cooperation on environmental protection. To attach importance to improving the capacity of state management of environmental issues.

4. Science and technology

a) To promote the application of achievements of science and technology. To invest in facilities, promote research, deployment and integration of domestic and international science and technology markets. To ensure that spending on science, technology and innovation is at least 2% of total annual state budget expenditures and gradually increases according to development requirements.

b) To attract investment for the development of science, technology and innovation. To carry out restructuring the province's science and technology programs and tasks in a business-centric direction, aiming to participate in global value chains and move to stages that create higher added value; to strengthen linkage and cooperation among research facilities, universities, and enterprises in research, implementation, application and commercialization of research results.

5. Digital transformation

a) To attach importance to developing digital infrastructure and digital platforms as one of the most critical tasks and breakthrough solutions to promote the development of digital government, digital economy, and digital society. To deploy data development with a specific strategy, consistent with the national data strategy. To build and develop high-quality broadband infrastructure in the province.

b) To prioritize the development of digital applications in government operations to accelerate the process of building e-Government towards digital government in localities.

c) To study and formulate appropriate policies to promote enterprise restructuring towards operating in a digital environment; to create favorable conditions for startups, innovate, and form a digital enterprise community.

d) To create favorable conditions to promote enterprises and economic sectors to deploy online payment platforms. To build a highly interactive, healthy, competitive and sustainable e-commerce market.

6. Development linkage mechanisms and policies

To attach importance to researching and promulgating mechanisms and policies in all fields for attracting resources for development; to create specific mechanisms for attracting investment in driving-force regions. To create conditions for enterprises to access information, penetrate and expand markets. To strengthen cooperation with provinces and cities in the Mekong River Delta; to expand international cooperation. To actively seek, connect and maintain close cooperation with international organizations, non-governmental organizations and attend international and regional forums.

7. Management and control of urban and rural development

a) To improve the capacity of government apparatus at all levels to meet urban and rural management requirements, ensuring the modern, civilized and eco-friendly development.

b) To develop and synchronously implement mechanisms and policies for developing modern, smart cities. To regulate and strictly control urban population growth.

c) To strictly manage and synchronously build social and technical infrastructure systems. To continue effectively implementing national projects and programs on urban development in Vietnam to respond to climate change, prevent and control natural disasters and epidemics; to renovate, embellish, reconstruct and upgrade urban centers; to build and develop smart cities; to build new-style countryside in accordance with urbanization orientations.

8. Organization and supervision of implementation of the Master Plan

a) To announce and publicize the Master Plan in accordance with the planning law, creating consensus in implementation.

b) To review, adjust, supplement and develop new inter-district and district construction master plans, district-level land use master plans and other master plans in accordance with the law provisions on planning, ensuring synchronization.

c) To formulate implementation plans, regularly update and concretize contents of the Master Plan into 5-year and annual plans. All levels, branches and district-level People's Committees will review, adjust and supplement development programs and plans to ensure compliance with the approved Master Plan. During the implementation, to regularly monitor and periodically evaluate implementation results.

d) The organization and implementation of the Master Plan needs to be innovated to meet the practical requirements and international practices. To arrange dedicated leadership apparatus and qualified staff to meet the requirements with an effective and efficient management mechanism, aiming to successfully implementing the Master Plan.

XII. MAPS OF THE MASTER PLAN

The detailed list of maps of the Master Plan of Ben Tre province for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050.

 (Details are provided in Appendix XXVI to this Decision)

Article 2. Organization of implementation

1. The Master Plan shall serve as a basis for formulation of urban master plans, rural master plans, technical and specialized master plans in Ben Tre province in accordance with relevant laws.

2. The People’s Committee of Ben Tre province shall:

a) Announce and publicize the Master Plan in accordance with the planning law;

b) Take full responsibility for management of the Master Plan; guide, assign, decentralize, coordinate and control the implementation of the Master Plan, ensuring full compliance with principles, processes and regulations during the implementation of the Master Plan; research and apply information technology and geographic information systems (GIS) in the management and implementation of the Master Plan;

c) Formulate and submit a Plan on implementation of the Master Plan to a competent authority for promulgation; organize the implementation of the Master Plan in association with directing the implementation of socio-economic development tasks; and regularly evaluate the implementation of the Master Plan, review and adjust the Master Plan in accordance with the law provisions;

d) Study, formulate, and promulgate according to its competence, or submit to a competent authority for promulgation, mechanisms, policies and solutions as suitable to the province’s development requirements and compliant with law to mobilize resources for the implementation of the Master Plan;

dd) Formulate and adjust urban master plans, rural master plans and technical and specialized master plans to ensure their uniformity and synchronism with the Master Plan; intensify examination and inspection of the implementation of the Master Plan; and strictly handle violators in accordance with the law provisions;

e) Review the Master Plan to ensure its conformity with national master plans and plans, master plans and plans of the Mekong River Delta decided or approved by competent authorities, and make adjustments to the Master Plan if there are contradictions as specified at Point c, Clause 1, Article 2 of the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 61/2022/QH15 dated June 16, 2022, and report thereon to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision;

g) In case the province wishes to carry out projects phased out to be invested after 2030 to serve socio-economic development and can mobilize resources, it shall report such to a competent authority for the latter to approve ahead-of-schedule investment.

3. The Chairperson of the People’s Committee of Ben Tre province shall be fully responsible for the accuracy of the contents of, and information, figures, databases in, and Appendices to this Decision; the provincial administration’s acceptance of, explanations for, reviews and contributions of relevant ministries, sectors, localities, organizations and individuals as well as issues on which it reserves its opinion; list of projects expected to be prioritized for implementation during the planning period promulgated together with this Decision, ensuring the conformity, synchronism and uniformity with related master plans and maps in the Planning dossier in accordance with the 2017 Planning Law and relevant law provisions; ensuring the conformity, synchronism and uniformity with related master plans; and seriously and fully implement the commitments in Office Dispatch No. 6937/UBND-TH dated November 10, 2023 of the People's Committee of Ben Tre province.

4. The approval of, or decision on, investment policy and implementation of programs, projects and schemes, including the projects that have not been included in the list of projects prioritized for investment promulgated together with this Decision, must ensure compliance with practical development requirements of the country, region and locality, objectives, orientations and plans on development determined in this Decision and relevant superior master plans (if any).

In the course of studying and implementing a specific project, the agency competent to approve or decide on investment policy shall be fully responsible for the determination of the location, area, scale, capacity and investment phasing of such project in conformity with the capacity to mobilize resources and actual development requirements of the province and in accordance with relevant laws.

Projects and works that are being reviewed and handled under inspection, examination, investigation or audit conclusions or related to enforcement of judgments (if any) shall only be carried out after the inspection, examination, investigation or audit conclusions, judgments (if any) are implemented and approved by competent authorities under current regulations.

5. Related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and government-attached agencies shall, within the ambit of their functions and tasks, guide the People’s Committee of Ben Tre province in the course of implementing the Master Plan; coordinate with the People’s Committee of Ben Tre province in proposing mechanisms, policies and solutions, and mobilizing and allocating resources to effectively implement the objectives and orientations set in the Master Plan to ensure consistency and conformity with the implementation of the Ten-Year National Socio-Economic Development Strategy for the 2021-2030 period, strategies, master plans and plans for sectoral development and local socio-economic development plans.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect from the date of its signing.

Article 4. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies, and the Chairperson of the People’s Committee of Ben Tre province shall implement this Decision.

For the Prime Minister

The Deputy Minister

TRAN HONG HA

* All Appendices are not translated herein.