Breakthrough Ideas for the Development of Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region to 2030, Vision to 2050

Hanoi, December 1^st 2023

At the event, enCity’s CEO Dzung Do Nguyen discussed the key challenges and opportunities facing the region. Some of the main issues include limited regional and intra-regional connectivity; growth in equity within the region, and the lack of talent, impacting the region’s competitiveness. The primary focus for the regional plan is thus to develop mobility infrastructure to connect inter-and-intra-region; to protect and create growth opportunities according to local strengths such as environmental and cultural assets; and to increase access to education and create the right environment for attracting talent.

The vision for the Northern Midlands and Mountainous region is Green, Sustainable, and Inclusive, with six key strategies, tapping into development potentials and resolving bottlenecks. The region will be divided into 4 sub-regions, 4 main economic corridors, 3 connectivity belts, and 1 growth core.

The 4 subregions, including the Western Subregion, Northwest Subregion, Northeast Subregion, and Eastern Subregion, will create conditions for capacity sharing and investment for joint economic and social development, linked by the economic corridors. Each sub-region will also have its own growth pole, while Bac Giang – Thai Nguyen – Phu Tho will act as the growth drivers for the entire region.

Overall development structure

Key mobility corridors

Government leaders and industry experts were highly supportive of the development strategies proposed by the consortium for the Northern Midland and Mountainous region, particularly on the necessity of developing connective infrastructure to connect the region with surrounding areas and economic gateways. Other suggestions include fostering better links with the Chinese economic market and developing high-quality agricultural industries for the Northern Midland and Mountainous region.

The planning of the Northern Midlands and Mountainous region is a critical step to concretise the National Master Plan, especially regarding spatial development, creating new growth catalysts for the region that still suit the characteristics of each locality.