The economic landscape of Nghe An: Creating momentum and strength for a new era.Final installment: The 14th Party Congress paves the way, Nghe An proactively accelerates its pace.
The 14th National Congress of the Party marks a new era of development, and Nghe An province is not immune to this opportunity. By choosing to act early, decisively, and with a clear focus, the province is quickly concretizing that spirit with clear and substantive steps right from the beginning of the term.
Content:Thanh Duy /Present:Hong Toai• January 20, 2026
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The 14th National Congress of the Party marks a new era of development, and Nghe An province is not immune to this opportunity. By choosing to act early, decisively, and with a clear focus, the province is quickly concretizing that spirit with clear and substantive steps right from the beginning of the term.
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On the morning of December 19, 2025, in Hai Loc coastal commune, on a strip of land familiar with the sound of waves and the salty taste of the sea breeze, rows of vibrant flags fluttered in the early morning sun, marking the beginning of a project embodying Nghe An's aspiration to reach out to the open sea. This was the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cua Lo Deepwater Port investment, construction, and operation project, one of 234 large-scale projects nationwide that were simultaneously launched, inaugurated, and opened for technical traffic, commemorating the 79th anniversary of the National Resistance Day and celebrating the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
The project, invested by the International Transport Development Investment Joint Stock Company (ITID), is designed to accommodate ships with a tonnage of 50,000 to 100,000 DWT, with a port hinterland area of 32 hectares and a total investment, including breakwaters, of approximately 9,000 billion VND. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ITID, shared: "The Cua Lo deep-water port not only serves domestic import and export needs but is also envisioned to become a transshipment hub on the East-West economic corridor, connecting Vietnam with Laos, Northeast Thailand, and Myanmar. Furthermore, the port will gradually integrate Nghe An into the regional and international maritime supply chain and network."
For local leaders and residents, the project's impact stems from immediate changes. Nguyen Tien Cuong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Hai Loc commune, expressed his hope that this project will bring about fundamental changes in the socio-economic landscape, create job opportunities, boost services, and improve the lives of coastal residents.
The Cua Lo deep-water port is a typical example in the larger picture of Nghe An's development strategy. Entering the 2026-2030 period, the Provincial Party Standing Committee has identified 12 key projects in various fields, especially transportation infrastructure and industrial parks, with a total investment of approximately 100 trillion VND (both public and private). Many large-scale projects will commence in 2026, such as the Vinh - Thanh Thuy expressway project (23,950 billion VND); and the Quynh Lap LNG Thermal Power Plant project (55,946 billion VND, 2.1 billion USD)…
Illustration: Gemini
It can be said that never before has the atmosphere and progress of project implementation in the province been as urgent, decisive, and large-scale right from the beginning of the term as it is now. This clearly reflects the very high political determination of the entire system in creating a new growth foundation for Nghe An. The Provincial Party Committee issued Action Program No. 10-CTr/TU on achieving the "double-digit" growth target for the period 2026-2030 and maintaining rapid and sustainable growth until 2045. The overarching spirit of the Program is to proactively create new growth drivers, with the goal of increasing the province's GRDP by 12% or more in the period 2026-2030. All tasks and solutions are required to be implemented according to the "six clear" principles: Clear tasks, clear authority, clear responsibility, clear time, clear resources, and clear results, aiming to transform the aspiration for growth into concrete, measurable achievements.
At the executive level, on January 13th, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Trong Hai signed and issued the Provincial People's Committee's Plan to implement the Action Program for the Resolution of the 20th Provincial Party Congress and the Action Program for the Resolution of the 1st Provincial People's Committee Party Congress, term 2025-2030.
In this regard, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested a focus on implementing five key tasks related to perfecting the institutional framework and operational mechanisms of the political system, as well as foundational work to create favorable conditions for the development of various sectors. These tasks include: developing and promulgating programs, projects, and plans to implement the resolutions of the Party Congress at all levels from the beginning of the term; developing and perfecting the system of regulations, rules, and work procedures; clearly defining the functions, tasks, powers, and coordination mechanisms between agencies and units; and inspecting, auditing, supervising, urging, and guiding the implementation of tasks at all levels.
The head of the Provincial People's Committee also requested a review, amendment, supplementation, and improvement of mechanisms and policies under the local authority; focusing first and foremost on mechanisms and policies that create, support, and promote development and remove bottlenecks and obstacles to development; adjusting the provincial planning to conform to the new development orientation, strategy, and spatial context. Developing and supplementing urban development plans, inter-communal and cluster-of-communal development plans, construction plans, and functional zones in accordance with the provincial planning orientation.
Simultaneously, move the operations of agencies within the political system to the digital environment, ensuring interconnectedness, synchronization, and confidentiality of state secrets; promote the digital economic ecosystem across all sectors. Significantly improve the investment and business environment, accelerate administrative reforms, and focus on enhancing the quality of online public services and digital services for citizens and businesses.
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The 14th National Congress of the Party, held from January 19 to 25, 2026, is considered a second wave of renewal, demonstrating the high political determination of the entire Party, army, and people in leading the country into an era of national progress. The groundbreaking decisions established by the Congress will open up new development opportunities for the country as a whole and for each locality in particular, including Nghe An.
In this context, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Khac Than emphasized three key factors that will determine the province's ability to achieve its development goals in the coming period. First, the human factor requires a change in mindset, an improvement in methods and approaches; flexibility, creativity, and innovation; and a decisive abandonment of the mentality of waiting and relying on others, and a reluctance to accept challenges. The second factor is administrative reform and innovation with a decisive, substantive, and effective spirit. The third, crucial factor in the practical implementation of projects and works, is land clearance; it is essential to prevent these obstacles from becoming "bottlenecks" that slow down the progress of key projects and affect the province's development opportunities.
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These action-oriented demands from the head of the Provincial Party Committee sent a clear message about determination and a new approach to development. It's worth remembering that in 2022, at the seminar "Economic and Social Development and National Defense and Security Assurance of Nghe An Province to 2030, Vision to 2045" held in Hanoi, a thought-provoking concept was officially introduced: "The Paradox of Nghe An." This concept, mentioned in the opening remarks by Politburo member, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy, and Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council Nguyen Xuan Thang, served as a direct look at the reality of development that has not yet matched the province's potential and advantages.
The paradox lies in the fact that Nghe An possesses a glorious historical tradition, a rich and distinctive culture, intelligent and studious people, and abundant and diverse resources. However, for a long time, the province's development speed and quality have not been commensurate with these potentials and advantages; at times, it even faced the risk of falling behind some other localities in the region.
And from that recognition, in recent years, the "paradox of Nghe An" has been gradually analyzed, identified, and addressed with specific, practical solutions. From improving the investment environment, promoting administrative reform, attracting large projects, to tightening administrative discipline and order, and emphasizing the role and responsibility of leaders; all are creating substantive changes within the system.
These movements may not create an immediate leap forward, but they are laying important foundation stones to gradually resolve the "paradox of Nghe An." It can be said that, entering the 2026-2030 period, Nghe An has moved beyond the "discovery" phase to the acceleration phase, as resources are no longer dispersed but are gradually converging on strategic development axes.
Concluding the past five years (2021-2025) and opening the way forward, Nghe An is arguably at the most crucial turning point in its development history. With opportunities converging, resources unlocked, and aspirations guided by innovative thinking, the "paradox of Nghe An" will no longer be a haunting question but a driving force for breakthroughs. By 2030, when two major historical milestones converge – the 1,000th anniversary of the name Nghe An and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Party – the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh can confidently assert that it has entered a new chapter of development, worthy of its traditions and history, commensurate with its potential, and fully meeting the expectations of the nation in this era of national progress.
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