Ba Ria-Vung Tau (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau to turn its Con Dao island district into a bright, green, clean, beautiful and world-class tourist destination.
At a working session with the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee on May 3, PM Chinh instructed local authorities to finalise and implement the scheme for applying special mechanisms for Con Dao's development.
Along with building its international standing, the island must become a firm frontline that strengthens national defence, drives maritime economic growth, and excels in spiritual and eco-tourism, he stated.
Identifying infrastructure as a key bottleneck for Con Dao's growth, he tasked the province with leading the investment mobilisation for Con Dao’s international airport via public-private partnerships.
He suggested that the province ensure integrated planning of healthcare, education, culture and social infrastructure, while increasing investment in power, clean water, waste treatment and 5G coverage and greening Con Dao’s cemeteries.
The locality should focus on developing a one-stop public service centre, he said, urging the province to encourage policies to attract high-quality human resources and investments that combine economic growth with national defence.
Despite global uncertainty and mounting challenges, Ba Ria – Vung Tau recorded considerable results in the first quarter of 2025, with 12 out of 14 key economic and financial indicators showing year-on-year growth. The province's GRDP grew 2.48%, while total investment attracted from domestic and foreign sources exceeded 53 trillion VND (2.03 billion USD). State budget revenue reached 25.5 trillion VND, or 24.9% of the annual plan. In Q1 alone, 405 new businesses were registered with combined capital of over 9 trillion VND, up 75.47% year on year.
Con Dao district, made up of 16 islands with a total area of around 76 sq.km and a population of over 12,000, has made significant strides in recent years, with major investments in infrastructure to improve local living standards and support its key tourism sector while preserving historic sites.
Under the district's master plan to 2030 with a vision to 2045, key infrastructure projects are underway, including a power supply from the national grid, a clean water project, a military-civilian hospital, wastewater treatment plant upgrades, and a new solid waste treatment facility.
Ba Ria-Vung Tau asked for support in resolving bottlenecks in chemical and petrochemical projects, increase the power output from Phu My Thermal Power Centre, allow fast-tracked provincial planning revisions, and approve major transport infrastructure such as airports, seaports, expressways, and railways. They also proposed the Government accept a sponsored master plan for Con Dao Airport through 2030, with a vision to 2050, and introduce tailored policies to unlock the island’s development potential.
Praising the locality's efforts and achievements so far, PM Chinh urged the province to promote the “bold and fast-paced” spirit of the historic April 1975 campaign, urging Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Con Dao to advance “faster and bolder”, pushing for breakthroughs to honour the sacrifices of past generations.
He stressed the need for local authorities to remain adaptive, proactive and results-oriented. They must foster self-reliance, overcome difficulties with determination, clearly define responsibilities and outcomes, and deliver high-impact, focused solutions.
Underscoring a people- and business-centred approach, the Government leader called for greater decentralisation and delegation of power, alongside targeted resource allocation. He directed the province to streamline administrative procedures, reduce costs and time burdens, and embrace a bold, responsible mindset guided by the principles of serving national and public interests without personal motives or corruption.
He also reminded Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Con Dao to make good preparations for the all-level Party congresses, while stepping up the implementation of reorganisation of administrative units, along with efforts to strengthen science-technology application, promote international integration and boost the growth of the private sector's development.
Alongside, the province was tasked with driving growth by revitalising traditional engines, including investment, exports and consumption, while nurturing new ones. He highlighted the importance of maintaining sovereignty, ensuring public safety./.
