Ba Ria-Vung Tau remains popular investor target

Ba Ria-Vung Tau continues to attract more foreign investors Photo: Le Toan

In recent years, the development of transport, healthcare, education, entertainment and human resources in the southern province has made it one of the most attractive investment destinations in Vietnam.

The Ho Chi Minh CityLong Thanh-­Dau Giay expressway, which was launched in February, has cut travel times from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau city to just 90 minutes compared with 120 minutes in the past. In addition, tourists have the option of taking luxury coaches or the newly-relaunched hydrofoil service for an enjoyable journey by sea.

In recent years, Ba Ria-Vung Tau has welcomed several five-star resorts like the world-class Six Senses Con Dao, the Grand Ho Tram Strip, the Imperial Hotel in Vung Tau, and An Hoa Resident in Long Hai. In the near future, the province expects to have many more luxury resort complexes to meet the increasing demand of tourists and investors.

After more than five years of construction, the Ba Ria General Hospital has been put into operation with 700 beds. It is considered as one of the largest and most modern provincial hospital in Vietnam with 37 faculties, an ample supply of rooms and modern equipment, and was built with the total investment of VND2 trillion ($95.2 million). In addition, there are many qualified local hospitals and high-end clinics for foreigners.

Previously, foreign investors living in the province sent their children to schools in Ho Chi Minh City. However, since 2011, the Singapore International School in Vung Tau city has opened classes for all years. In fact, the city boasts a wide range of schools at various levels, such as the Ba Ria-Vung Tau University, the PetroVietnam Vocational Training College, and the Teachers’ Training College as well as several other vocational colleges majoring in engineering, computer science, and medicine. These institutions are the main source of the workforce for both local and foreign businesses in the province.

According to the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provincial Department of Construction, province has developed and approved 417 construction planning projects including one provincial project, 12 in general urban planning, 49 city district planning projects, as well as miscellaneous projects in the tourism and industry sectors.

In a recent meeting with leaders of the province, Minister of Construction Trinh Dinh Dung stressed that construction planning was a critical factor for attracting investors. According to the province’s draft urban development plan, during 2014-2025, Ba Ria-Vung Tau will reach an urbanisation rate of 65-70 per cent, and will have 14 urban areas. According to the draft, the urban network development programme of Ba Ria-Vung Tau up until 2025 will be divided into two phases.

From 2014 to 2020, the province will focus on infrastructure development in urban areas, mainly in Vung Tau, Ba Ria, and Phu My. During 2021-2025, the province will focus on Phu My’s urban infrastructure development, which will be on par with the industrial hub port in the southeast region. Vung Tau will be developed as the province’s trade and tourism centre, while Ba Ria will be urbanised to become its administrative capital.

With regard to the development plan for Con Dao, the government has approved the development of economic zones, and high-quality tourism services, coupled with the conservation and restoration of historical revolutionary sites, and enhancing the value of the Con Dao National Park.