Bãi Trước (Front Beach) in Vũng Tàu city in Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu Province. The province aims to speed up work on a number of key  national  projects over the next five years. — VNA/VNS Photo Ngọc Hải.

HCM CITY— The southern coastal province of Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu plans to speed up work on a number of key national projects over the next five years.

According to a report by its Department of Planning and Investment, there are 42 key works being undertaken in the province in the 2021-25 period.

Of 19 public projects, it has identified the three most important as the Biên Hòa - Vũng Tàu expressway, Phước An Bridge and Road 991B.

They are meant to enhance connectivity between the southern key economic region and the province’s Cái Mép – Thị Vải deep-water port. 

According to its People’s Committee, the pre-feasibility study for the first phase of the Biên Hòa-Vũng Tàu expressway has been submitted to the Prime Minister for approval, and will be carried out under the build-operate-transfer model at a cost of VNĐ23.075 trillion (US$995.52 million). 

Around 34.2km of the road will be built in Đồng Nai and 19.5km in Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu.

It is expected to ease congestion on National Highway 51 and facilitate travel between Đồng Nai and Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu provinces and HCM City and the southern key economic zone. 

Besides, the 4.3km Phước An Bridge, which will connect the Cái Mép-Thị Vải Port with the Bến Lức - Long Thành Expressway, will be built in Phú Mỹ Town in the province and Nhơn Trạch District in Đồng Nai Province. 

It is expected to cost VNĐ4.879 trillion. The province has asked the Government for 50 per cent of the cost (VNĐ2.4 trillion) over the next five years.  

Road 991B is an important project that will cost VNĐ3.95 trillion, of which the Government has already allocated VNĐ920 billion. The province has asked for VNĐ2.227 trillion over the next five years.

Other major national projects include an animal safari park in Xuyên Mộc District, a logistics centre and Cái Mép Hạ harbour in Phú Mỹ Commune, a specialised inspection centre near the Cái Mép – Thị Vải Port, beautification of roads in Bãi Sau (Back Beach) in Vũng Tàu City, construction of the April 30 Park in Bà Rịa City, and a 1,073ha high-tech agricultural zone in Châu Đức District.

National grid system 

The province plans to build a national grid in Côn Đảo District in the next five years.

It said it would ask the Government for funds for installing a high-voltage grid from Sóc Trăng across the sea to Côn Đảo at a cost of VNĐ4.86 trillion.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, power demand in Côn Đảo District is forecast at about 21MW by 2025 and 46.4MW by 2035. 

Besides building the Bãi Ông Câu solar farm (5MW) and other power projects, it also plans to lay a 100km underground cable from Sóc Trăng Province to meet the power demand on the island, the ministry said.

Côn Đảo has a strategic position in terms of the economy and national security besides great advantages related to tourism development. 

According to a plan approved by the PM, the island was expected to receive 300,000 visitors by 2030, but it exceeded the number last year, making the need for electricity supply extremely urgent.

In addition to the 19 public projects, the province is also calling for investment in 23 national key projects, including ports, cultural parks, airports, roads, inspection centres, tourism services, and urban areas.

Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu serves as the country’s major trade gateway due to its proximity to industrial zones, port complexes, major highways, and transshipment routes. 

It is also a leader in attracting foreign direct investment. — VNS