Southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province needs to make clear its plans to connect with Long Thanh International Airport in neighboring Dong Nai province, which is expected to be put into operation by 2025, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung has said.

Addressing a meeting on February 16 to assess the province’s development planning for the 2021-2030 period and vision to 2050, Minister Dung, who is also Chairman of the Planning Appraisal Council, said the province should also focus on developing tourism on Con Dao Island.

He urged local authorities to renew their approach to preparing plans based on the province’s potential and strengths to create development opportunities.

Secretary of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provincial Party Committee Pham Viet Thanh said the province aims to become a maritime gateway of the southern region and the country as a whole.

It will focus on modernizing Cai Mep-Thi Vai International Port into the country’s largest entrepot, forming a free trade and logistic center, developing Vung Tau city into a high-quality tourism center of international standard, establishing industry-urban-services complexes in new Phu My city, promoting tourism growth on Con Dao Island, and creating a safe and high-quality living environment for local people, according to Mr. Thanh.