Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has signed a landmark decision approving a detailed plan for the development of seaport system, including wharves, piers, buoy berths, and water areas for the period 2021-2030, with a strategic vision extending to 2050.

The seaport system will require an estimated investment capital estimated at approximately VND351.5 trillion (around $13.9 billion) by 2030.

The approved plan categorizes seaports into five key groups.

Group 1 includes seaports in northern localities, includig Hai Phong city and provinces of Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh. By 2030, this group aims to handle between 322 million and 384 million tons of cargo, along with 281,000 to 302,000 passengers.

Group 2 comprises seaports in north-central localities, including the provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, and Quang Tri, and the centrally-run city of Hue. The target for 2030 is to handle between 182 million and 251 million tons of cargo, and 374,000 to 401,000 passengers.

Group 3 consists of seaports in south-central localities, including Da Nang city (with Hoang Sa Island district included), and provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa (with Truong Sa Island district included), Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan. By 2030, this group aims to handle between 160 million and 187 million tons of cargo, and 3.4 million to 3.9 million passengers.

Group 4 includes seaports in southern localities, including Ho Chi Minh City, and the provinces of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, and Long An. This group targets handling between 500 million and 564 million tons of cargo, and 2.8 million to 3.1 million passengers by 2030.

Group 5 encompasses seaports in the Mekong Delta localities, including Can Tho city, and the provinces of Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Dong Thap, An Giang, Hau Giang, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, and Kien Giang. The goal for 2030 is to handle between 86 million and 108 million tons of cargo, and 10.5 million to 11.2 million passengers.