Urban areas contribute 70-75% to national GDP

Vietnam now has 722 urban areas, contributing 70-75% to the national GDP annually, according to a report on assessing the management of urban area planning and development, by the Ministry of Construction (MoC).

Urban areas in Hanoi are moderner and more comprehensive. (Photo: CPV)

The MoC reported that thirteen plans to build ‘Inter-provincial areas’ nationwide have been approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. Plans to build ‘Provincial areas’ in 60 provinces and cities were also approved. General plans of all the coastal economic zones and 12 out of 29 border gate economic zones were ratified.

These urban areas nationwide saw an increase of 143 in number from 1999, with an average annual increase of about 10 areas. These figures include two special ones, 15 being type 1; 14 of type 2; 52 of type 3; 59 of type 4 and 630 of type 5.

The country’s average urbanization rate reached more than 33.9% with about 79% of those in urban areas being supplied with fresh water

The MoC continues to steer the renewal and improvement of the quality and viability of planning activities and to increase the rate of coverage.

(Source: CPV)