Quang Tri looks to leveraging advantages from East-West Economic Corridor

Located at the eastern gateway of the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) in Vietnam, Quang Tri Province holds a strategic position in politics, economics, and national defense.

The province’s transportation infrastructure is gradually expanding across its regions, including the construction of major strategic projects aimed at enhancing inter-regional connectivity and tapping into local advantages.

Lao Bao Town viewed from above. Photo: Thanh Hai

Notable projects include the coastal road connecting to the EWEC, the East-West branches of the Ho Chi Minh Highway, and the two highways Van Ninh-Cam Lo and Cam Lo-La Son.

Quang Tri is also actively developing economic corridors such as the Lao Bao-Dong Ha-Da Nang corridor and inviting investment for the Cam Lo-Lao Bao Expressway.

The province has strengthened cross-border economic cooperation, studied the feasibility of establishing a cross-border economic zone to expand development toward the West, and sought ways to boost logistics in the Southeastern Economic Zone and the international border gates.

Significant infrastructure projects include the My Thuy Seaport, Quang Tri Airport, the Quang Tri Industrial Park, and a network connecting various corridors and key economic areas within the province.

The provincial government are working to develop the 15D highway from My Thuy Seaport to the La Lay International Border Gate, enhancing connections with the Bolaven Plateau’s agricultural region in Southern Laos, rich in mineral resources, as well as the northern provinces of Cambodia and northeastern Thailand.

Furthermore, the province has developed a comprehensive plan to transport coal from Laos through the La Lay International Border Gate to My Thuy Seaport, along with necessary infrastructure at the La Lay International Border Gate.

Despite these efforts and significant progress, Quang Tri still faces challenges. Key industrial, commercial, and service projects remain in progress, with economic breakthroughs yet to be realized. In addition, transportation systems linking various regions and promoting interconnected growth are not yet fully integrated.

To leverage Quang Tri’s strategic location along the EWEC, the Government and relevant ministries should support further transportation infrastructure development to connect the coastal economic corridor.

Priorities include expanding the Southeastern Economic Zone, the Quang Tri Industrial Park, sectors such as gas-based and multi-industry processing, capitalizing on the seaport, logistics services, and urban ecotourism, linking with Con Co Island, and developing My Thuy Seaport as a deep-water gateway port for the central region and the EWEC.

The province also requires resources to strengthen the EWEC’s connectivity with Laos, fostering socio-economic development and ensuring national security.

Collaborating with Lao provinces is a key strategic focus for Quang Tri from now until 2030, with a vision toward 2050, the province has requested support from the Party, the Government, and relevant ministries to enhance cooperation with Laos, aspiring to become a logistics hub for Central and Southern Laos.

In the short term, Quang Tri will prioritize transportation projects connecting National Highway 15D from My Thuy Seaport to the La Lay International Border Gate and the Cam Lo-Lao Bao Expressway.

The province will assist Vietnamese businesses to expand operations in Laos, soon pilot a Lao Bao-Densavan cross-border economic and trade zone, and gather insights for potential replication at other border locations between the two countries.

Phuong Minh – Huy Anh