Unleashing the Potential of Tourism in Soc Son
Soc Son, a region endowed with a rich history and breathtaking landscapes, is poised to become a thriving tourism hub. With renowned landmarks such as Den Soc and Viet Phu Thanh Chuong, Soc Son has captured the attention of domestic and international tourists alike. Recognizing the immense potential of tourism, the local government has made it a key strategy to accelerate the shift towards a more service-oriented economy, emphasizing the growth of industries, commerce, and tourism.
Mr. Bui Duy Cuong, Secretary of the Soc Son Communist Party Committee, shared the region’s vision for integrating tourism development with cultural preservation and valorization. Soc Son has completed a tourism development plan aimed at creating a harmonious blend of cultural and spiritual experiences centered around the iconic Mount Soc. The focus is on crafting unique tourism products, including spiritual and ecological tours, as well as immersive experiences intertwined with the region’s OCOP agricultural specialties. Soc Son also offers a diverse range of sports and recreational activities such as mountain climbing, running, car racing, boating, and golf. Additionally, the Soc Son horse racing track is expected to elevate the region’s tourism landscape to new heights upon its completion.
The Executive Committee and Standing Committee of the Soc Son Communist Party aim to transform Soc Son into a sustainable northern metropolis of Hanoi. Photo: Dinh The
Ms. Hoang Thi Diep, Vice President of the Hanoi Tourism Association, acknowledged the vast potential of Soc Son as a tourism destination. She highlighted the region’s successful utilization of its strengths to develop tourism, particularly the introduction of sports tourism in recent years. According to Ms. Diep, the Soc Son horse racing and entertainment complex project is poised to become a world-class sports and entertainment hub in the northern region of the Red River.
Beyond tourism, Soc Son has made significant strides in economic development and improving the livelihoods of its residents. As reported by the Soc Son People’s Committee, the region has achieved rapid economic growth, with an average production value increase of 8.83% per year. State budget revenue reached VND 3,211 billion. Soc Son has also made substantial progress in industrial park development, including the near-completion of the CN3 Industrial Park and the commencement of the CN2 Industrial Park. Additionally, the Mai Dinh Industrial Park is witnessing accelerated implementation through proactive investor engagement.
The Soc Son horse racing and entertainment complex project is set to become a world-class sports hub in the northern region of the Red River.
Soc Son has also witnessed progressive investments in technical and social infrastructure, with a focus on modernization and synchronization. Notably, the region has finalized preparations for key transportation projects, including the Road connecting the Satellite City to Vo Nguyen Giap Street (Section 2), the National Highway 3 – Eastern Ring Road, and the Road connecting Noi Bai International Airport to Ho Dai Lai (Vinh Phuc Province).
Secretary Nguyen Duy Cuong attributed these achievements to multiple factors, with the Communist Party Committee playing a pivotal role. He emphasized the innovative leadership, efficient governance, and proactive approach to foresight and adaptability demonstrated by the Party committees. Additionally, the committees’ commitment to building a competent and responsive team of civil servants has been instrumental in driving progress.
Soc Son’s Vision for Breakthrough Development
The First Soc Son Communist Party Committee Resolution sets ambitious goals for the region’s future. By 2030, Soc Son aims to build a robust and transparent Party committee and political system, foster rapid and sustainable economic growth, and emphasize the development of digital economy, industries, services, tourism, and green urban spaces. Looking further ahead to 2045, Soc Son envisions a breakthrough transformation with a renewed vision, mindset, and aspiration to become a sustainable northern metropolis of Hanoi.
To achieve these aspirations, Soc Son has identified three key breakthrough strategies. Firstly, the region will prioritize master planning, implementation, and management, with a focus on land clearance and the synchronized development of technical infrastructure, giving precedence to transportation investments. Secondly, Soc Son will concentrate on enhancing state budget revenue through various measures. Additionally, administrative reforms, digital transformation, and capacity-building for civil servants to meet the demands of the new era will be central to Soc Son’s development agenda.
Soc Son possesses advantages for developing creative spaces and cultural-artistic clusters linked to historical sites, traditional crafts, and natural landscapes. Photo: Duy Pham
To realize its goals, Soc Son will harness and optimize all available resources to stimulate growth and contribute to Hanoi’s double-digit growth target. The region recognizes the pivotal role of industries as the main driver of economic growth, structural transformation, and the development of other sectors. Efforts will be directed towards addressing challenges and promoting the growth of the private sector.
In pursuit of establishing Soc Son as a prominent commercial, service, and tourism hub, the region will expedite key tourism projects, including the multi-functional entertainment and horse racing complex, the weekend resort (Zone III – Den Soc), and the Soc Son commercial center. Additionally, Soc Son will focus on attracting investments for projects outlined in master plans, such as a regional shopping center, a health and medical tourism complex, and a tourism corridor along the Ca Lo River.
Furthermore, Soc Son will embark on a creative space planning initiative, fostering the development of cultural and artistic clusters associated with historical sites, traditional crafts, and natural landscapes, including Mount Soc, Den Soc, and Ho Dong Quan. The region will also prioritize the preservation and promotion of historical sites and traditional festivals, alongside the integration of digital technologies in tourism promotion and the creation of smart tourism experiences, as shared by Secretary Bui Duy Cuong.
Soc Son was established through the merger of Phu Linh, Tien Duoc, Tan Minh, Mai Dinh, Dong Xuan, Phu Lo, and Soc Son town. It encompasses an area of 68.24 km2 and is home to a population of over 117,000 people.
The Resolution of the Soc Son Communist Party Committee sets the following goals for 2030:
– Average economic growth rate of 11-12%/year
– Per capita income of VND 110 million/year
– State budget revenue growth of 12%/year, reaching VND 2,300 billion by 2029
– 100% of the population with access to clean water
– Over 87% of the labor force with vocational training, and 98.5% employment rate
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