Lào Cai City, the capital of Lào Cai Province. A plan to develop Lào Cai into a trade centre of midland and northern mountainous region has been approved by the Government. — VNA/VNS Photo Quốc Khánh

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Hòa Bình has signed a decision to develop Lào Cai Province into a centre for economic trade and connectivity between Việt Nam and ASEAN countries, as well as the southwest region of China.

Decision 1620 follows directions outlined in Resolution 11, issued by the Politburo on February 10, 2022, on the development orientation for developing the midland and northern mountainous region of Việt Nam until 2030 and 2045.

The goal is to make Lào Cai an important gateway and a key transportation and economic connection point for the region, which will have a modern, interconnected road infrastructure. 

The plan also aims to develop the Lào Cai border economic zone into a central hub for goods transit and a large logistics centre along the Kunming–Lào Cai–Hà Nội–Hải Phòng–Quảng Ninh economic corridor, which will also foster economic cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

The northern province will also be a service centre for finance, tourism, trade, and international event hosting, where a smart border gate and a cross-border economic co-operation zone will be established.

The construction of the following highway routes is prioritised for completion: The Nội Bài–Lào Cai expressway, a route connecting the expressway and Hà Giang Province, and the expressway that connects Lào Cai’s Bảo Hà District with Lai Châu Province.

The plan also aims to complete and put into operation the Sapa Airport with a capacity of three million passengers per year, research and build several cross-border bridges connecting with China, and build bridges over the Red River in Lào Cai City and the districts of Bát Xát, Bảo Thắng, and Bảo Yên. — VNS