Quang Tri promotes sustainable maritime economy

Quang Tri Province boasts a 75 km coastline with a fishing ground spanning over 9,000 km2, rich in marine resources of high economic value. The coastal area offers favorable conditions for the development of seaports, shipbuilding and repair industries, as well as aquaculture and seafood processing.

Along the coast are several beautiful beaches, including Cua Tung, Gio Hai, Cua Viet, My Thuy, and Con Co Island, all of which have become popular tourist destinations. Notably, the Southeast Quang Tri Economic Zone has been established to harness the region’s coastal potential and strengths.

The construction of the coastal road connecting the East-West Economic Corridor presents a favorable opportunity for Quang Trị Province to sustainably develop its marine economy. Picture: H.N.K

The recently approved 2021-2030 Quang Tri Provincial Plan, with a vision toward 2050, identifies the coastal region as a key area for urban development and tourism-service hubs, connecting Con Co Island and modern, eco-friendly aquaculture and seafood processing complexes.

It also focuses on the development of clean industrial zones integrated with services, urban centers, and residential areas.The plan emphasizes the maintenance, restoration, and expansion of coastal protective forests and the rehabilitation of ecological sand dune areas. The Southeast Quang Tri Economic Zone will be developed into a comprehensive maritime economic hub, with a focus on energy industries, multi-sector industries leveraging coastal advantages, and logistics.

Key development corridors will center on gas industry clusters, multi-sector industries capitalizing on port advantages, and logistics services. Coastal tourism cities and ecological sand dune tourism, which are tied to ecosystem restoration, will also be promoted.

In tourism, the plan seeks to harness the province’s marine, island, ecological, cultural, and religious assets, creating connections with the Central Heritage Tourism System and national and international economic corridors. The goal is to develop coastal and island resort tourism, with a focus on the Cua Tung - Cua Viet - Con Co Island tourism triangle and the coastal urban tourism strip, while expanding eco-tourism and community-based tourism in coastal areas.

To foster sustainable maritime economic development, Quang Tri has integrated coastal urban planning, while reviewing and enhancing its maritime economic policies toward sustainable and connected growth. The province will build comprehensive strategies and plans for managing marine and island resources in line with the ecosystem, ensuring the harmonious balance between conservation and development across coastal, marine, and island areas, as well as with neighboring provinces.

Quang Tri aims to develop its coastal industry into a dynamic growth area, driving economic expansion with the Southeast Quang Tri Economic Zone as the core, focusing on multi-sector industry. The province will invest in port infrastructure and develop marine transportation services, especially deep-water ports like My Thuy while upgrading Cua Viet Port to leverage port services, maritime transport, and related industries. Shipbuilding, repair services, and supporting industries will also be developed.

The province currently operates 2,286 motorized fishing vessels with a total capacity of over 140,000 CV, including 192 offshore vessels, with a catch of 27,640 tons in 2023. The coastal fisheries sector is transitioning from traditional to industrial methods, incorporating advanced technology in aquaculture, exploitation, preservation, and processing to create high-quality, economically valuable products for domestic and international markets.

In parallel, Quang Tri is focusing on developing marine and island tourism into a key sector of the maritime economy. The province is investing in comprehensive tourism infrastructure, encouraging economic sectors to participate in developing eco-tourism, high-end coastal resorts in areas like Cua Viet, Cua Tung, and Con Co Island, and diversifying local tourism products. By preserving biodiversity and promoting cultural and historical values, Quang Tri aims to become a top tourist destination, connected to the East-West Economic Corridor.

Quang Tri’s maritime potential is further highlighted by offshore wind energy and gas fields such as Ken Bau and Bao Vang, located less than 120 km off its coast, providing a strong foundation for developing the gas industry in the Southeast Quang Tri Economic Zone, an essential step for boosting the province’s maritime economy.

In addition to key areas like Cua Viet and Cua Tung, new economic zones are emerging in the coastal areas of Trieu An, Trieu Van (Trieu Phong District), and Hai An, Hai Duong (Hai Lang District). The province is also focused on building My Thuy deep-water port and the Hai Lang LNG Center, which, once established, will serve as economic pillars for coastal urban areas stretching from Trieu Phong to Hai Lang, forming a diverse coastal economic corridor.

Quang Tri’s coastline is also advantageous for developing cargo ports, such as Cua Viet Port, Cua Tung Fishing Port, and storm shelters for vessels in both northern and southern Cua Viet, as well as Con Co Island.

Quang Tri Provincial Chairman Vo Van Hung highlighted that the 2021-2030 coastal development plan, with a vision to 2050, designates Gio Linh and Trieu Phong districts as central areas, with Cua Viet Town as the core. In the southern Hai Lang District, the core will be Hai An and Hai Duong communes, part of the Southeast Quang Tri Economic Zone.

The province is mobilizing resources to develop coastal economic infrastructure, prioritizing urban centers, especially Cua Viet and Cua Tung towns, and coastal roads connected to the East-West Economic Corridor as vital coastal transport routes. The focus is on developing tourism services, coastal resorts, and recreational activities to meet domestic and international demand.

The province is also determined to implement Action Program No. 144-CTHĐ/TU of the Provincial Party Committee, issued on April 24, 2019, to execute Central Party Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW, dated October 22, 2018, on "Vietnam’s Sustainable Maritime Economic Development Strategy to 2030, with a Vision to 2045." Quang Tri aims to become a prosperous coastal province while ensuring national defense, security, and sovereignty.

During the 2018-2022 period, the coastal provinces and cities contributed 50.93% to the national GRDP. Infrastructure in these coastal areas has seen significant improvements, and the gap in access to basic services between regions and population groups has been narrowed compared to the national average. The standard of living for local residents has improved both materially and spiritually.

In Quang Trị, after five years of implementing Resolution No. 36, dated October 22, 2018, issued by the 12th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, regarding the Strategy for Sustainable Marine Economic Development toward 2030 with a vision to 2045, notable progress has been made. Several key goals outlined in the Provincial Party Committee’s Action Plan No. 144 (dated April 24, 2019) to execute Central Resolution No. 36 have been achieved, including targets related to the marine economy, society, science and technology, marine human resource development, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation, including rising sea levels.

Ho Nguyen Kha - Ngoc Mai