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Master Plan for Urban and Rural Systems for the 2021-2030 Period: Achieving Over 50% Urbanization by 2030

24 August, 2024

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By 2030, Vietnam aims to have a well-organized and efficient urban and rural system in place.

Enhancing Urbanization Quality

The master plan for 2030 aims to accelerate and improve the quality of urbanization, developing and organizing a cohesive and efficient urban and rural system. This includes modern and synchronized infrastructure, suitable living environments, and resilience against rising sea levels and climate change. The goal is to create sustainable urban networks with modern, green, and distinctive architecture.

Developing dynamic urban centers as “hubs” for politics, administration, economics, culture, society, science, technology, transportation, investment, human resources, innovation, and technology transfer will drive socioeconomic structural changes. These centers will also foster strong “agglomeration,” “connection,” and “linkage” effects with rural areas nationwide, enhancing international cooperation. The quality of life in these urban centers will be exceptional.

Comprehensive and sustainable rural development, in tandem with urbanization, is a priority. This includes modern infrastructure and social services that match those in urban areas, preserving and promoting the unique cultural identities of each region. The vision is to create a green, clean, and beautiful rural landscape, with a focus on ecological agriculture, modern rural areas, and cultured farmers.

Building at Least 5 International-Level Urban Centers

By 2050, Vietnam envisions a network of well-connected and balanced urban areas across regions, resilient to climate change and rising sea levels, with effective disaster and disease prevention measures. These urban centers will boast distinctive, green, modern, and smart architecture, playing a significant role in the Asia-Pacific urban network and offering high competitiveness in national, regional, and international socioeconomic development. The plan aims to build at least 5 international-level cities, serving as key connectors to regional and global networks. The urban economy will be modern, with a focus on green and digital industries.

Rural areas will enjoy a harmonious connection with urban centers, offering a civilized, green, clean, and beautiful environment rich in cultural identity. Rural residents’ living conditions and incomes will approach those of urban areas.

Urban and Rural Development Indicators for the Period up to 2030

Urban System: By 2030, the urbanization rate is targeted to exceed 50%, reaching 70% by 2050. The country is expected to have between 1,000 and 1,200 urban areas, including several national and regional urban centers. These centers will meet advanced ASEAN standards in healthcare, education, and culture, with the urban economy contributing approximately 85% to the national GDP. The plan also includes building a network of smart cities at the national and regional levels, with 3-5 cities recognized for their regional and international reputation by 2030.

Rural System: By 2030, at least 90% of communes nationwide are expected to meet the new rural criteria, with 50% achieving advanced new rural standards. Around 70% of districts, towns, and provincial cities are projected to meet new rural criteria, with 35% recognized as advanced new rural or new rural model districts. The goal is for 100% of districts to have urban areas.

It is also aimed to have 100% of provincial-level administrative units equipped with three types of cultural institutions: Culture or Culture and Arts Centers, museums, and libraries. Similarly, 100% of district- and commune-level administrative units are planned to have Culture and Sports Centers.

General Development Orientation

The development of urban and rural areas will be based on natural territorial characteristics, including land, sea, and islands, as well as historical, cultural, and settlement factors, and the current distribution of the population. The focus is on enhancing the quality of urban and rural development in terms of economics, society, infrastructure, housing, and living environments.

Urban and rural development will meet the requirements for socioeconomic development and ensure national defense and security for the period 2021–2030, with a vision towards 2050. Particular emphasis will be placed on selecting cities with special advantages to become regional and international hubs for economics, finance, trade, and services, among other fields. Priority will be given to developing cities along economic corridors, turning them into central cities that match the functions of each region and promoting spillover development.

Developing 2 Major Cities into Dynamic and Creative Urban Centers

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, along with other centrally-run cities, will be developed into dynamic and creative urban centers, leading and creating spillover effects and regional connections. These cities will play a significant role in the urban network of Southeast Asia and Asia. The plan emphasizes transit-oriented development (TOD), the utilization of underground space, and the development of satellite cities to reduce pressure on central urban areas.

Sustainable urban system development based on networks will be pursued, with reasonable, synchronized, unified, and balanced distribution across regions. This will be guided by the national transport infrastructure orientation, inter-sectoral linkages, and accelerated urban development to drive rapid and sustainable socioeconomic progress. Medium and small cities will have close and complementary relationships with larger cities, narrowing the development gap. There will be a focus on developing small cities and peri-urban areas to support rural development through urban-rural linkages. Special urban models will also be explored, such as specialized cities that serve as national or regional centers for culture, heritage, tourism, universities, innovation, science, and border gate economics, as well as border and island cities.

Urban areas will be developed as comprehensive, green, and smart cities, adapting to climate change and combining disaster and disease prevention measures. A network of smart cities will be formed, connecting with the region and the world. Coastal and island urban areas will be developed sustainably, protecting the natural ecosystem. Urban development will also emphasize the preservation and promotion of historical sites and cultural heritage. A network of national cultural bases will be established to effectively preserve and promote the values of cultural identity, fostering the development of the cultural industry. Synchronization, connection, and sharing of cultural and sports facilities will be ensured in urban and rural areas.

The development of rural residential areas, as important nuclei of rural regions, will be planned in conjunction with natural resource protection and cultural tradition preservation. These areas will be aligned with agro-ecological regions, ensuring national security and defense.

8 Provinces Planned to Become Centrally-Run Cities

According to the master plan, there will be 5 centrally-run cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (expected to become a special city by 2030), Hai Phong, Can Tho, and Da Nang (expected to become a first-tier city by 2030).

8 provinces are oriented to become centrally-run cities: Thua Thien Hue, Khanh Hoa, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Hai Duong, and Binh Duong (expected to become first-tier cities by 2030).

The master plan includes a list of 42 first-tier cities, with 11 in the Red River Delta, 5 in the Northern Midland and Mountainous Region, 7 in the North Central and Central Coastal Region, 3 in the Central Highlands, 5 in the Southeast Region, and 11 in the Mekong River Delta.

There will also be 50 second-tier cities, distributed as follows: 10 in the Red River Delta, 11 in the Northern Midland and Mountainous Region, 11 in the North Central and Central Coastal Region, 3 in the Central Highlands, 8 in the Southeast Region, and 7 in the Mekong River Delta.

Nhật Quang