Nghe An Provincial People's Committee agreed to adjust the plan to expand Vinh city.

On the morning of March 23, at the regular meeting of March 2023, the Provincial People's Committee listened, commented and unanimously approved the draft Project to expand the administrative boundaries and urban space of Vinh city.

Overview of the regular meeting of the Provincial People's Committee in March 2023. Photo: Pham Bang

Accordingly, the plan to expand the administrative boundaries and urban space of Vinh city was agreed upon by the Provincial People's Committee to adjust the entire natural area and existing population size of Cua Lo town to Vinh city for management.

At the same time, adjust the entire natural area and existing population size of 4 communes: Nghi Xuan, Phuc Tho, Nghi Thai, Nghi Phong (Nghi Loc) to Vinh city for management. Establish 4 wards on the basis of the original natural area and existing population size of 4 communes: Hung Dong, Hung Loc, Nghi Phu, Nghi Duc.

As a result of the expansion, Vinh city has a natural area of ​​166.24 km2.²(reaching 110.67%); population 575,718 people (reaching 383.81%); there are 36 commune-level administrative units (reaching 360%) including 27 wards and 9 communes. Nghi Loc district has a natural area of ​​313.18 km²(reaching nearly 70%); population 206,042 people (reaching 171.70%); there are 25 commune-level administrative units (reaching 192.31%) including 24 communes and 1 town.

Director of the Department of Home Affairs Nguyen Viet Hung reports on the plan to adjust and expand the administrative boundaries and urban space of Vinh city. Photo: Pham Bang

Previously, the Department of Home Affairs had developed a Project to expand the administrative boundaries and urban space of Vinh city according to the policy and plan agreed upon by the Steering Committee and approved by the Provincial People's Committee.

Specifically, in addition to adjusting the entire natural area and existing population size of Cua Lo town to Vinh city's management, the entire natural area and existing population size of 6 communes: Nghi Xuan, Phuc Tho, Nghi Thai, Nghi Phong, Nghi Thach and Khanh Hop (Nghi Loc district) will also be adjusted to Vinh city's management.

However, because the Provincial Steering Committee finalized the plan and the Provincial People's Committee approved the Outline before Resolution 27/2022 of the National Assembly Standing Committee was issued, there were problems in the process of developing the Project. Specifically, if 6 communes were separated to be merged into Vinh city, the natural area of ​​Nghi Loc district would not meet 70% of the prescribed standards.

A corner of the central area of ​​Vinh city, Nghe An. Photo: Thanh Duy

Therefore, the Provincial People's Committee has agreed to change the plan in the direction of only adjusting 4 communes of Nghi Loc district: Nghi Xuan, Phuc Tho, Nghi Thai, Nghi Phong to Vinh city for management, not adjusting 2 communes: Nghi Thach and Khanh Hop commune as the approved outline. From here, Nghi Loc district has a natural area of ​​313.18 km², reaching 69.60% of the standard (rounded to 70%) as prescribed.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, merging 4 communes of Nghi Loc district into Vinh city management is a solution with less disruption and stability in management for related administrative units. These 4 communes are basically identical to Vinh city and Cua Lo town, so when Vinh city expands, it will become seamless and smooth; at the same time, it will help Nghi Loc district reduce the impact on the socio-economic development orientation.

The expanded Vinh City will have more space to develop industrial zones and clusters, positively impacting the transformation of economic and labor structure; gradually developing synchronous and modern urban technical infrastructure, creating tourism links between regions and diversifying tourism types.

The adjustment of the plan will help Nghi Loc district meet the natural area criteria according to regulations. Photo: Document

The expansion of administrative boundaries and urban space of Vinh city aims to concretize Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW of the Politburo; Decision No. 52/QD-TTg approving the adjustment of the master plan of Vinh city, Nghe An province to 2030, with a vision to 2050; Decision No. 827/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approving the Project to develop Vinh city, Nghe An province into an economic and cultural center of the North Central region to 2023; Resolution of the 19th Provincial Party Congress.

The expansion of Vinh city aims to exploit the potentials and advantages to enhance the position and influence of the city, which is an opportunity for Vinh city in particular and Nghe An province in general to develop more quickly and comprehensively in the coming time; worthy of being the core urban area of ​​the province and the region.

This is also a breakthrough in socio-economic development, promoting the potentials and cultural and historical values ​​of the locality; and is the driving force for socio-economic development of the province and the North Central region.