The strategic position of Dong Thap
Dong Thap is a province in the Mekong Delta region with a natural area of 3,283 km2. Dong Thap is an economic hub and an ecotourism center of the Mekong Delta and the country. It is also a land rich in historical and revolutionary traditions.
The province has a strategic position with nearly 50 km of border roads, 2 international border gates with Cambodia, namely Thuong Phuoc International Border Gate (Hong Ngu district) and Dinh Ba International Border Gate (Tan Hong district), and 5 secondary border gates. In addition, 2 river ports along the Tien River facilitate convenient transportation to the East Sea and neighboring Cambodia.
This province is located on convenient transportation routes connecting Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, and neighboring provinces. It is a famous destination with many historical sites, scenic landscapes, and unique festivals of the Mekong Delta region.
Tram Chim National Park Photo: Dong Thap Tourism
According to the Dong Thap Provincial Planning for the period of 2021 – 2030 with a vision to 2050, the development goal by 2030 is for Dong Thap to be a province with a decent level of development, leading in digital transformation, one of the agricultural production and processing centers of the Mekong Delta region, with a synchronized infrastructure system, modern urban areas, culturally rich rural areas, friendly and attractive tourism, comprehensive development in cultural and social areas, and maintaining a leading position in the country in terms of administrative reform, effective governance and public administration, and provincial-level competitiveness.
By 2050, Dong Thap will become the leading province in the country in several sectors such as agriculture, an agricultural center, and ecotourism of the Mekong Delta region, and a hub for economic development between the Mekong Delta region and countries in the Lower Mekong subregion.
What is the socio-economic situation like in Dong Thap?
Dong Thap province is one of the key agricultural and food production areas in the country. It ranks 3rd nationwide in terms of total rice production with 3.3 million tons per year, after Kien Giang with 4.3 million tons per year and An Giang with 4.1 million tons per year. Dong Thap ranks 4th in terms of seafood exports with a total export turnover of approximately 900 million USD, of which catfish alone ranks first in the country in terms of export volume.
In 2023, production and business activities in Dong Thap province have recovered and shown positive changes. Although economic growth and resource mobilization have not met expectations, there has been strong growth in terms of economic scale with a GDP of over 110,000 billion VND, ranking 6th in the Mekong Delta region. The average GRDP per capita reached nearly 69 million VND, an increase of 12.16% compared to 2022, the highest in the Mekong Delta region.
The total state budget revenue in the province in 2023 is estimated to reach over 8,000 billion VND, equivalent to 107.4% of the yearly plan. The mobilized investment capital for social development in 2023 is estimated to reach over 22,000 billion VND, an increase of 10.49% compared to 2022. The total export turnover of goods in 2023 is estimated to reach over 1.7 billion USD, an increase of 35.15% compared to 2022.
The industrial production index in January 2024 showed a relatively high growth rate compared to the same period last year. The industrial production index in January increased by 13.6% compared to the same period last year. The total retail sales of goods and services reached nearly 10,800 billion VND, an increase of 2.2% compared to the previous month and 3.6% compared to the same month in 2023.
The total export turnover of goods (excluding temporary imports and re-exports) in January 2024 is estimated at 104.184 million USD, achieving 7.4% of the plan and an increase of 41.8% compared to the same month in 2023. In particular, the two key export items, rice and seafood, both had increased export values compared to the previous month.
The total number of tourists visiting Dong Thap province in January 2024 through tourism service businesses reached 350,000, an increase of 38% compared to the same period in 2023. The total tourism revenue in January 2024 reached 150 billion VND, an increase of 23% compared to the same period in 2023.
The state budget revenue in the province as of January 16, 2024, reached 222 billion VND, achieving 2.4% of the yearly plan, and the local expenditure achieved 1,284 billion VND, achieving 7.7% of the yearly plan. The mobilized investment capital as of January 31, 2024, reached 68,509 billion VND, an increase of 219 billion VND, a 0.32% increase compared to the end of 2023. The outstanding loans reached 107,752 billion VND, an increase of 919 billion VND, an increase of 0.86% compared to the end of 2023, and the bad debt ratio to total outstanding loans is controlled below 2%.
