The Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee has issued a decision approving planning for the 8A urban area in the southeastern region of Thanh Hoa city - the capital of the central province.

Under the planning, the projected urban area will cover 1,652 ha with an estimated population of 27,000 which is expected to increase to 75,000 by 2040.

The urban area will play a role in connecting Thanh Hoa city with neighboring tourism coastal city of Sam Son. It has key functions as a center for educational and training services, technical services and commercial services.

It will also serve as an eastern gateway to Thanh Hoa city and an important transport link with both roads and waterways connected to national highways, provincial roads, port and wharf.