Merger to turn Gia Lai into a growth pole of Central-Central Highlands region: Party chief
As Vietnam’s second-largest province by area, the new province would also play a critical role in safeguarding national territory, ensuring political stability, and preserving the cultural identities of its diverse ethnic communities, particularly those in remote, mountainous, and ethnic minority areas.
Party General Secretary To Lam speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Gia Lai (VNA)꧙ - Merging the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai and the south central coastal province of Binh Dinh into a new administrative and economic entity would bolster its competitiveness, enabling deeper integration into global and national value chains, said Party General Secretary To Lam.
During a working session with the standing board of the Gia Lai provincial Party Committee and permanent members of the Binh Dinh provincial Party Committee in Gia Lai on June 2, Lam underscored the need to fully harness the strategic similarities and complementarities between the two provinces, considering them a crucial foundation for a shared development vision.
The proposed merger aims to forge an East-West economic corridor, connecting the Central Highlands with the coastal region through National Highway 19 and the Quy Nhon-Pleiku expressway. This corridor, Lam stressed, promises breakthroughs in logistics, transportation, trade, and regional connectivity, unlocking new avenues for economic growth.
Economically, the merger is a masterstroke of strategic complementarity. By integrating production, processing, distribution, and export channels, the new entity will foster a seamless value chain that supports green, sustainable development and global integration.
Tourism stands to gain immensely from this combination. Gia Lai, with its lush forest ecosystem, vibrant highland culture, and the renowned gong heritage, would complement Binh Dinh's historic Tay Son relics, pristine beaches, traditional craft villages, and rich culture and arts. Together, they could create unique inter-regional tourism routes that will captivate visitors and elevate the region's brand on the national tourism map.
In terms of human resources and governance, the merger presents a compelling narrative of dual advantage. Gia Lai's young, abundant workforce, coupled with Binh Dinh's robust vocational training and university systems, would cultivate a skilled labour pool and a modern, efficient civil service, essential for rapid, sustainable, and comprehensive development.
At the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Gia Lai and Binh Dinh were urged to pool their brainpower to envision a new Gia Lai that proactively builds a long-term development vision and sets out strategic breakthroughs in governance, infrastructure, sci-tech, and human resources.
Central to this vision is the development of a balanced, interconnected region with modern logistics and inter-regional infrastructure. Tourism, identified as a high-potential sector, would focus on creating a unique ecosystem linking coastlines, forests, and cultural heritage sites, including the gong culture and Tay Son legacy. Eco-resort and community-based tourism is also expected to enhance its appeal.
Urban development would integrate satellite areas with industrial, logistics, and tourism hubs, underpinned by digital governance to ensure transparency and efficiency. Lam outlined three strategic priorities for new Gia Lai: institutional reform, enhanced connectivity infrastructure, and human resource development.
As Vietnam’s second-largest province by area, the new province would also play a critical role in safeguarding national territory, ensuring political stability, and preserving the cultural identities of its diverse ethnic communities, particularly those in remote, mountainous, and ethnic minority areas./.
The Central Highlands province of Gia Lai is working to transform its agricultural potential into a competitive advantage by accelerating the use of high-tech farming methods in banana cultivation. The goal is to enhance product value and establish bananas as a leading export crop, contributing to a more sustainable agricultural sector.
Gia Lai is a key region for Vietnamese coffee, with more than 100,000 hectares under cultivation. Over 57,000 hectares are certified under 4C, UTZ, Rainforest, and Organic standards. Moving beyond quantity, Gia Lai's coffee industry is now aiming to conquer global markets with specialty products, particularly Fine Robusta. This effort to enhance value and build a strong brand for Vietnamese coffee is the result of collaboration between businesses, farmers adopting new mindsets, and supportive local government policies.
Gia Lai province aims to build or repair 232 homes for policy beneficiary families and people who rendered service to the nation, 5,593 for impoverished households, and 2,660 for near-poor families.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
Senior Vietnamese leaders on June 19 sent letters of congratulations to New Zealand leaders on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam – New Zealand diplomatic relations (June 19, 1975 – 2025).
The Party chief attributed the achievements in the first half to the continuous, direct, and comprehensive leadership of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, and the close and effective coordination of relevant ministries, sectors and localities.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
