A view of the Gò Công coastal area, where Đồng Tháp Province is expanding its marine economic development space. — VNA/VNS Photo

ĐỒNG THÁP — With its 32-kilometre coastline, Đồng Tháp Province is accelerating efforts to develop its marine economy, positioning coastal industry, logistics and renewable energy as new engines for long-term, sustainable growth in the Mekong Delta.

By reshaping its coastal development strategy, the province is increasingly focusing on industry, logistics, renewable energy, and marine services to generate new momentum for economic restructuring and regional connectivity.

With the eastern coastal area identified as a strategic growth corridor, Đồng Tháp is ramping up investment in industrial infrastructure and transport links there, while actively attracting large-scale projects aligned with modern, green and high-value industries.

These efforts are expected to strengthen the industrial base, create jobs, diversify livelihoods, and improve the resilience of the coastal economy.

Building on this, the province has identified the eastern coastal belt, linked to National Highway 50, as one of its key growth corridors.

The area is expected to become a new engine for industrial expansion and marine-based economic activities, contributing to its medium-term socio-economic development goals.

According to Trần Văn Dũng, vice chairman of the province's People’s Committee (Administration), the eastern zone has been designated as a marine-oriented development space, with priority given to industrial infrastructure and the attraction of investment projects aligned with industrialisation and modernisation.

This approach is seen as a decisive factor in unlocking Đồng Tháp’s development potential in the coming years.

Industrial push

The expansion of industrial parks and clusters along the coast plays a central role in this strategy.

In addition to creating thousands of jobs, they also help accelerate the shift from agriculture to industry and services and strengthen linkages between coastal production areas and regional supply chains.

Currently, four industrial parks and clusters are under development in the eastern part of the province with a combined area of 1,115 hectares: Tân Kiều Industrial Park, Tân Phước Industrial Park, Bình Đông Industrial Park, and the Soài Rạp Oil and Gas Service Industrial Park.

They are in the process of clearing land, building infrastructure and soliciting investment, with a focus on attracting large-scale, high-value projects.

Gia Thuận 1 Industrial Cluster in Gia Thuận Commune has seen technical infrastructure completed and is operating steadily.

It has attracted seven tenants who have leased 27 hectares of land, which translates into an occupancy rate of 68 per cent.

More than 5,000 jobs have been created, contributing significantly to local livelihoods.

The seven enterprises are in agricultural, forestry and seafood processing, garment and footwear manufacturing, and concrete and other construction materials production.

Gia Thuận 2 Industrial Cluster was built in September 2025 on an area of 50 ha and at a cost of VNĐ391 billion (US$15.7 million).

It has been developed in a systematic manner with internal roads, a drainage system, water and power supply infrastructure, fire safety facilities, public lighting, and a centralised wastewater treatment plant.

It is expected to become a key destination for investors seeking ready-built industrial land in the coastal zone.

Authorities in Gia Thuận Commune say they are working closely with relevant agencies to streamline administrative procedures and create favourable conditions for investors.

Meanwhile, a number of major projects have been approved for further study and development.

These include the Tiền Giang Green Hydrogen Plant with a designed capacity of 400 MW, the Gò Công General Port project on 186 ha, the Tân Thành Wind Power Project with a capacity of 100 MW, and the Tân Điền Smart Urban Area spanning 2,680ha.

Together, they are expected to diversify the marine economy into energy, logistics, urban development, and marine services.

Looking ahead Đồng Tháp aims to develop the Gò Công coastal area, particularly the zone east of the Soài Rạp River, into a multi-sector industrial and logistics hub focused on technology and value-added industries.

The formation of a coastal economic zone in this area is expected to further expand the marine economic space and strengthen Đồng Tháp’s role as a regional growth pole.

Đồng Tháp Province is developing industrial infrastructure in its eastern coastal zone to support marine economic growth. — VNA/VNS Photo

Transport links

To support this vision, the province is accelerating investment in transport infrastructure, viewing connectivity as a key lever for marine economic development.

By improving links between coastal areas, industrial zones and inland urban centres, Đồng Tháp seeks to maximise spillover effects across its wider economy.

A key project is Provincial Road 864, which is gradually forming a continuous transport corridor along the Tiền River.

Several sections have been completed and put into operation, while remaining segments are being completed to connect the provincial centre with the Gò Công coastal area.

In parallel, a coastal road running through Đồng Tháp, with a total length of around 25.7 kilometres, is being planned for phased implementation.

The road is designed to enhance inter-regional connectivity and form a new economic corridor serving as a development axis for coastal localities.

According to Trần Minh Trung, director of the provincial transport construction investment project management board, the alignment of the coastal road has been finalised.

The route will start at Provincial Road 871B in Gia Thuận Commune and end at a bridge crossing the Cửa Đại River in Tân Phú Đông Commune.

Combined with National Highway 50 and Provincial Roads 862, 871, 871B and 871C, the coastal road network is expected to foster development of the eastern industrial zone and coastal tourism, accelerating socio-economic growth across the province.

Provincial leaders said Đồng Tháp would continue to prioritise investment in sectors with strong comparative advantages, like seaports, logistics, processing, and mechanical engineering.

At the same time, it will accelerate infrastructure development at the Soài Rạp Industrial Park and Gia Thuận 2 Industrial Cluster, moving towards the formation of coastal industrial parks, economic zones and eco-urban areas.

With transport connectivity and industrial infrastructure developing in tandem, the eastern coastal area is expected to emerge as a dynamic development space and a new growth engine for Đồng Tháp. — VNS