The adjustment of Dak Lak Provincial Planning for the 2021 - 2030 period, with a vision towards 2050, is not merely an administrative spatial adjustment. It represents a comprehensive restructuring of development thinking, while laying foundation for a new growth blueprint for the province.

Following the merger, Dak Lak being repositioning its role within the development landscape, transforming from a highland province into a linkage hub connecting the Central Highlands and the South Central Coast. In the photo: An aerial view of Tuy Hoa ward along with Phu Yen ward.

According to Comrade Do Huu Huy, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and PPC Chairman, Dak Lak must become the maritime gateway of the Central Highlands, serving as a strategic connector linking the Central Highlands, the South Central Coast alongside the Southeast Region, while also playing a vital role in national defence, security, ecological protection and water resource security. This message underscores that the current planning adjustment is intended not only to address economic growth challenges but also to reposition the province within the national development landscape.

One of the planning’s core components is the organisation of development space based on a structure of “three regions, two centres, three growth poles and three economic corridors”. Under this model, economic corridors will connect raw material areas in the Central Highlands with processing industries, urban centres, logistics networks along with seaports.

Creating new growth drivers

A notable feature of the planning adjustment is transition towards a growth model driven by processing industries, alongside logistics, marine economy, renewable energy, tourism and digital transformation. Among proposed development scenarios, the province has selected an average GRDP growth target of approximately 11% annually for the 2026 - 2030 period.

To achieve this objective, the province has identified four strategic pillars: developing value-added agriculture linked to deep processing; developing the marine economy, seaports as well as logistics services; developing renewable energy and green economy; while developing integrated “highland - coastal” tourism.

Developing marine economy, seaports and logistics services being one of the provincial four strategic pillars in the new development phase.

The planning also identifies several strategic breakthroughs, with a primary focus on transport and logistics infrastructure development. Projects such as Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot Expressway, Phu Yen - Dak Lak Expressway, the western North - South Expressway, logistics systems, seaports together with regional connectivity infrastructure are regarded as major drivers for expanding the provincial economic space.

Simultaneously, the province aims to significantly improve investment environment, advance digital government, digital economy and digital society, as well as develop a highly skilled workforce.

Planning must become an “action map”

One of key highlights of the provincial planning adjustment is a development approach, which prioritises not only rapid growth but also green, sustainable and inclusive development.

Within the new development framework, economic growth must be aligned with forest protection, water resource security, climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation combined with promotion of ethnic community culture. In particular, culture is recognised as a strategic asset supporting community-based tourism, cultural industries and local economic products.

A consistent requirement is to ensure a high degree of integration and synchronisation between economic development alongside land use, urban development, infrastructure, digital transformation and green transition. More importantly, the planning must be practical as well as closely linked with public investment, private sector investment attraction, PPP projects and FDI, while creating a transparent, modern and highly connected investment environment.

Dak Lak is moving towards an integrated “highland - sea” development model, positioning itself as a new growth pole connecting the Central Highlands and South Central Coast. In this journey, the planning serves as a blueprint for opening up a broader, more modern and more sustainable growth space for the province.

Translated by KHUONG THAO