The Provincial People's Council approved the plan on 11/5 during its second session of the eleventh term, as it reviewed adjustments to the provincial master plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. The Cai Be - Cai Lay area, located about 45 km from My Tho—the current administrative center—lies on a major transport axis connecting Ho Chi Minh City with the Mekong Delta.

According to the orientation, the province will study urban, administrative, service, and growth driver development in the Cai Be - Cai Lay area. This area is considered to have a significant advantage in inter-regional connectivity as many key transport routes are nearing completion. The relocation of the administrative center will be considered once sufficient conditions and investment resources are secured.

My Tho ward from above. *Photo: Hoang Nam*.

Many Provincial People's Council delegates noted that this adjustment will not only restructure development space but also help distribute resources more equitably among regions, leveraging the inter-regional transport infrastructure system.

Following its merger with Tien Giang, Dong Thap now covers over 5,900 km2 with a population exceeding 4.2 million, making it one of the large-scale provinces in the Mekong Delta. Currently, the provincial administrative center is located in My Tho ward, approximately 160 km from border communes. Relocating to Cai Be - Cai Lay would reduce this distance by about one-half. The new area is also situated on important transport axes, including National Route 1 and expressways.

As per the orientation, Cai Be - Cai Lay will become the province's central economic corridor, connecting the Southeast region with the Mekong Delta. This area is prioritized for developing multi-industry, high-tech industries, regional logistics, and modern urban areas.

Provincial Party Secretary and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Ngo Chi Cuong requested the Provincial People's Committee to promptly finalize the revised planning documents for announcement and implementation, while also reviewing related plans and establishing a list of priority projects.

Ngoc Tai