The mark of Nghe An's transportation sector.

(Baonghean) - During the 2010-2015 term, the Nghe An Transport sector made positive contributions with many key projects.

Connecting transportation infrastructure

In the remarkable development of Nghe An's transportation infrastructure during the past term, it is worth mentioning the completion of the upgrade of the important National Highway 1A, spanning nearly 73.8 km through Nghe An province. The project, upon completion and commissioning, has contributed to improving transportation infrastructure and reducing traffic congestion. The transportation system now connects the Nghi Son (Thanh Hoa) - Vinh City - Vung Ang (Ha Tinh) triangle; and connects the Hoang Mai, Dong Hoi, Southeast Economic Zone, Vinh, and Cua Lo triangles within the province, encompassing western Nghe An.

Vinh Airport has been invested in comprehensively and modernly. Photo: SM

Along with that, railway overpasses and many roads and suspension bridges across rivers and streams in the western region have been completed and handed over for operation, creating momentum for socio-economic development in the remote areas of the province. In the past five years, the entire province has built and repaired 52 suspension bridges; in 2015, 8 suspension bridges are under construction and projects for the construction of 7 new suspension bridges are being planned. The Department of Transport has prepared a proposal to submit to the Ministry of Transport for approval to invest in the construction of 419 rural bridges, prioritizing 210 bridges in phase 1 and 209 bridges in phase 2 to serve the daily life and production of the people. In particular, the inauguration and commissioning of the Western Nghe An road will open up new prospects for the development of the western region of the province, contributing to maintaining national defense and security.

The Vinh Airport becoming an international airport facilitates attracting investment from domestic and foreign businesses to Nghe An, while also connecting and strongly developing the tourism industry. It is also a crucial highlight for Nghe An's development, contributing to the socio-economic growth of the province and the North Central region. The Cua Lo deep-water port and Dong Hoi port have also been included in the Vietnam Seaport Planning.

From 2010 to 2014, the value of investment in the construction of transportation infrastructure projects in the province reached 16,075 billion VND. Of this amount, projects managed by the Department of Transportation accounted for 5,620 billion VND.

A shift in the transportation sector.

Besides developing infrastructure, Nghe An's transportation sector has also made remarkable progress in the field of transport. Various modes of transport – road, air, rail, and inland waterway – have been maintained and developed, basically meeting the travel needs of the people. Air transport, in particular, has developed strongly. On January 12, 2014, at Vinh Airport, Vietnam Airlines inaugurated its first international flight route from Vinh to Vientiane (Laos). This is considered a significant event contributing to gradually elevating Nghe An's socio-economic development to become a regional center in the North Central region, promoting cooperation and exchange in various fields between provinces of Laos and Thailand, facilitating the design of many attractive air travel tours and routes, meeting the increasing travel demands of the people and tourists, and creating conditions to attract tourists and investors to Nghe An.

The Khe Ngau bridge in Xa Luong commune (Tuong Duong district) has recently been put into use. Photo: Provided.

Many domestic routes have seen an increase in daily flights by airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Jetta Pacific. Passenger traffic through the airport has increased rapidly, reaching over 530,000 in 2011, nearly 700,000 in 2012, and 1.2 million by the end of 2014. Cargo volume through Vinh Airport has also increased impressively: from 1,800 tons in 2012 to 2,990 tons in 2014.

National Highway 1A section passing through Quynh Luu district after being upgraded and expanded. Photo: Provided.

During the past term, the transport sector also actively reformed its administrative procedures with noteworthy progress, focusing on areas related to organizations and individuals working with it, such as: appraisal of transport projects, inspection of road motor vehicles, issuance and renewal of driver's licenses, inter-provincial transport permits, etc. All stages have been shortened in processing time, making it convenient for the people.

A view of Cua Lo Port. Photo: Tran Hai

Comrade Nguyen Hong Ky, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Transport, stated: “Ensuring smooth traffic and transportation throughout the province, and expanding and upgrading road infrastructure are top priorities for the department. In the coming time, the department will strengthen coordination with other departments and create even closer links with the political system at all levels to develop the transportation system in the province, bringing greater benefits to the people of the province and becoming an attraction for investors, developing economic zones and industrial parks, contributing to promoting the province's economic development and successfully achieving the goals of Resolution 26/NQ-TW of the Politburo on the direction and tasks for the development of Nghe An province until 2020.”

Thanh Le