DECISION

APPROVING THE ORIENTATIONS OF THE GENERAL PLANNING ON CONSTRUC-TION ALONG HO CHI MINH ROAD (STAGE I) TILL 2020

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the December 25, 2001 Law on Organization of the Government;
Pursuant to the Urban Planning Management Regulation promulgated together with Decree No. 91/CP of August 17, 1994 of the Government;
At the proposal of the Construction Minister in Document No.38/TTr-BXD of June 5, 2003 and Document No.1907/BXD-KTQH of November 11, 2003,

DECIDES:

Article 1.- To approve the Orientations of the general planning on construction along Ho Chi Minh road (Stage I) with the following major contents:

1. Scope of research

The total length of Ho Chi Minh road (Stage I) is 2,186 km, of which the eastern branch stretches over 1,676 km; the western branch, 510 km. The research scope of both sides of the road is 2 km in width with an area of around 437, 200 ha.

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To develop Ho Chi Minh road with its main functions as the western national traffic corridor and technical infrastructure of the country; the economic development and urban center as well as rural population quarters axis; landscape axis associated with cultural and historical relics, scenic places.

3. Population size

a) It is expected that by 2010, the population of the entire planned region shall approximate 3,962,000, of which:

- The urban population: Around 3,375,000;

- The rural population: About 587,000.

b) It is expected that by 2020, the population of the entire planned region shall be around 6,235,000, of which:

- The urban population: Around 5,335,000;

- The rural population: About 900,000.

4. Land size

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b) It is expected that by 2020, the total land area of the entire planned region shall be around 437,200 ha, including 80,000 ha of construction land (urban construction land is around 78,000 ha).

5. Development orientations

a) For the existing areas

- Relocating and resettling population in areas which lie mostly within the scope of safety corridor of the road or lie in regions where exist special and unfavorable natural conditions (frequent land erosion, slides, flash floods...);

- Reforming and replenishing, and concentrating on the development to one side of the road of, areas partially affected with the crossing of the road;

- Raising the land use efficiency for areas running along the road where natural conditions favor socio-economic development.

b) For newly built areas

Concentrating on construction planning and management strictly under the planning on areas where natural conditions favor economic development (lying in zones of industrial raw materials, minerals, natural landscapes, relics...), with land funds and natural conditions favorable for construction of population quarters, areas in support of industrial, tourist, service and trade development.

6. Distribution and organization of the system of urban centers along the road

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a) Zone I:

- Covering 2 provinces: Ha Tay and Hoa Binh, where Ho Chi Minh road runs through for 95 km, covering a total land area of around 19,000 ha, including 17,800 ha of construction land by the year 2020;

- Comprising 6 urban centers in all, including 1 town of grade I, 1 of grade III and 4 of grade V; the core urban center shall be the cluster of Mieu Mon - Xuan Mai - Hoa Lac - Son Tay urban centers.

+ New urban center of Hoa Lac, Ha Tay province

The bases for forming and development of the urban center shall be the hi-tech park, the university education center, large-sized industrial parks, local tourist resorts and service areas, etc., with the projected population of 270,000 by 2010 and 670,000 by 2020, the demanded construction land shall be 4,700 ha by 2010 and 12,000 by 2020.

+ Xuan Mai urban center, Ha Tay province

The bases for development of the urban center shall be the building materials-manufacturing industry, farm produce processing industry, the trade and economic center to the west of Ha Tay province; the projected population of around 35,000-50,000 by 2010 and around 100,000-170,000 by 2020; the demanded construction land shall be 750 ha by 2010 and 2,500 ha by 2020.

+ Other urban centers: Including 4 towns with the projected population of about 62,000 by 2010 and around 160,000 by 2020.

b) Zone II:

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- Consisting of a total of 20 urban centers, including 1 of grade III, namely Lam Son-Sao Vang, and Ngoc Lac projected to be the central urban center in western mountainous region of Thanh Hoa province; 1 being center of the western mountainous region of Nghe An province (equivalent to grade III urban center); 17 urban centers of grade V; the core urban center shall be Lam Son- Sao Vang.

+ Lam Son - Sao Vang urban center, Thanh Hoa province

The bases for the development of the urban center shall be sugar, food, liquor, alcohol, paper industries, the production of paper packages and products, forestry and agricultural product-processing industry, consumer goods production, mechanical engineering, mechanical repair, etc., service, tourism and trade; the projected population shall be around 30,000 by 2010 and 50,000 by 2020; the demanded construction land shall be 550 ha by 2010 and 700 ha by 2020.

+ Thai Hoa district capital:

Being the capital, as well as economic, administrative and cultural center of Nghia Dan district, Nghe An province, with the projected population being around 13,000 by 2010 and 18,000 by 2020.

+ Pho Chau district capital:

Being the capital, as well as economic, administrative and cultural center of Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province, and the export and import service center of East-West corridor (National Highway 8) of Ha Tinh province, with the projected population being around 11,000 by 2010 and around 18,000 by 2020.

+ Other urban centers: Including 17 urban centers with the projected population of around 85,700 by 2010 and around 169,000 by 2020.

c) Zone III

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- Consisting of a total of 24 urban centers, including 2 of grade I, 2 of grade III and 20 of grade V; the core urban centers along the road shall be Dakrong and Khe Sanh.

+ Dong Hoi provincial capital, Quang Binh province

Being the capital, as well as economic, political, cultural, scientific and technical center of Quang Binh province; the bases for urban development shall be trade, services, tourism, and industries for agricultural, forestry, marine product processing, construction materials production, automobile assembly; the projected population shall be around 120,000 by 2010 and 150,000 by 2020; the demanded construction land shall be around 1,300 ha by 2010 and 1,650 ha by 2020.

+ Hue city, Thua Thien-Hue province

Being a city where exists the world cultural heritage, a cultural and tourist center of national and international level; the provincial capital, as well as political, economic, cultural, social, scientific and technical center of Thua Thien-Hue province, an intensively specialized medical center and one of the multi-discipline tertiary training and vocational training centers of the zone; the projected population shall be around 300,000 by 2010 and 350,000-400,000 by 2020; the demanded construction land shall be around 5,400 ha by 2010 and around 6,000 ha by 2020.

+ New urban center of Chan May, Thua Thien-Hue province

Being an economic, trade, service and tourist center south of Thua Thien-Hue province; the bases for forming and development of the urban center shall be seaports, hi-tech industry, trade, tourist services; the projected population shall be about 40,000 by 2010 and 120,000 by 2020; the demanded construction land shall be around 600 ha by 2010 and 4,000 ha by 2020.

+ Da Nang city

Being a centrally-run city, a general center of national level, a key economic center of Central Vietnam; the bases for urban development shall be seaports and port services, textile and garment industry, construction materials production, mechanical engineering, marine product processing, etc., tourism, tourist services, education and training; the projected population shall be around 650,000 by 2010 and 865,000 by 2020; the demanded construction land shall be around 6,500 ha by 2010 and 8,650 ha by 2020.

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d) Zone IV

- Embracing 4 provinces: Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Dak Nong, where Ho Chi Minh road runs through for 502 km, covering a total land area of around 100,400 ha, including 15,400 ha of construction land by 2020;

- Having a total of 17 urban centers, including 2 of grade II, 1 of grade III, 1 of grade IV and 13 of grade V; the core urban centers on the road shall be Kon Tum provincial capital, Pleikan provincial capital and Buon Ma Thuot city.

+ Kon Tum provincial capital, Kon Tum province

Being the provincial capital and an administrative, economic, cultural, social, scientific and technical center of Kon Tum province as well as the tourist center of the northern area of the Central Highlands; the bases for urban development shall be agricultural and forest product processing, garment, electronic, engineering and construction materials industries as well as tourism. The projected population shall be around 156,000 by 2010 and 210,000 by 2020; the demanded construction land shall be around 3,320 ha by 2010 and 3,740 ha by 2020.

+ Pleiku city, Gia Lai province

Being the provincial capital and a political, economic, cultural, social, scientific and technical center of Gia Lai province; the bases for the urban development shall be coffee, rubber, timber processing industries, construction materials production; the projected population shall be around 230,000 by 2010 and 300,000 by 2020; the demanded construction land shall be around 6,800 ha by 2010 and 9,700 by 2020.

+ Buon Ma Thuot city, Dak Lak province

Being the provincial capital, an administrative, political, economic, cultural, educational, tourist, service, scientific and technical center of Dak Lak province; a center of the Central Highlands; the bases for the urban development shall be agricultural, forest product-processing, mechanical assembly, repair, garment, timber processing, refreshment drink industries, trade, service; the projected population shall be around 300,000 by 2010 and 500,000 by 2020; the demanded construction land shall be around 2,400-3,000 ha by 2010 and 4,200-4,500 ha by 2020.

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Being the administrative, political, economic, cultural, educational, service, tourist, scientific and technical center of Dak Nong province; the bases for urban development shall be agricultural and forest product processing industry; the logistical center for bauxite exploitation, germs processing, trade and services; the projected population shall be around 50,000 by 2010 and 80,000 by 2020; the demanded construction land shall be around 1,480 ha by 2010 and some 1,700 ha by 2020.

+ Other urban centers: Including 13, with the projected population of around 264,000 by 2010 and 384,000 by 2020.

e) Zone V

- Embracing 2 provinces: Binh Duong and Binh Phuoc; Ho Chi Minh road runs through the zone for 190 km, covering a total land area of around 38,000 ha, including 9,200 ha of construction land by 2020;

- Having a total of 7 urban centers, including 1 of grade II, 1 of grade III, 1 of grade IV and 4 of grade V.

- The core urban centers along the road shall be Thu Dau Mot provincial capital and Chon Thanh district town.

+ Dong Xoai provincial capital, Binh Phuoc province

Being the provincial capital and an administra-tive, economic, cultural, scientific and technical center of Binh Phuoc province; the bases for urban development shall be agricultural and forest product-processing, animal feed-processing industries, export pottery and porcelain articles; the projected population shall be around 60,000 by 2010 and some 100,000 by 2020; the demanded construction land shall be around 720 ha by 2010 and 2,000 ha by 2020.

+ Thu Dau Mot provincial capital, Binh Duong province

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+ Chon Thanh district town, Binh Duong province

Being the capital and an administrative, economic and cultural center of Thuan An district, a Southern economic center of Binh Duong province; the bases for urban development shall be the rubber-processing industry, fruit-canning industry; the projected population shall be around 40,000 by 2010 and 45,000 by 2020; the demanded construction land shall be around 550 ha by 2010 and 600 ha by 2020.

+ Other urban centers: Including 4 with the projected population of about 167,000 by 2010 and 226,000 by 2020.

7. Orientations for development of technical infrastructures

a) Regarding communications:

- Ho Chi Minh road

Ho Chi Minh road is connected to the road networks in an uniform, balanced and synchronous manner, ensuring the combination and association among different traffic modes, forming a smooth communications system, thus satisfying higher and higher transport demand on the national and international scales.

- Traffic systems connected to Ho Chi Minh road:

+ Road

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+ Waterway

Investing in the construction and development of seaports with favorable conditions for connection to Ho Chi Minh road on the basis of the general planning for development of Vietnam's seaport system till 2010, already approved by the Prime Minister in his Decision No.202/1999/QD-TTg of October 12, 1999.

+ Railways

Investing in renovation, upgrading and construction of railway lines tied up in transportation with Ho Chi Minh road, connecting into a chairn railway system to satisfy national and international transport demand, in compatibility with the planning on development of Vietnam's railway communications and transport service till 2020, already approved by the Prime Minister in his Decision No.06/2002/QD-TTg of January 7, 2002.

- Solutions to the organization of population quarters along the road and the organization of crossings to ensure traffic safety:

+ Strict measures must be worked out for the development of population quarters along the road in order to ensure that the population quarters, industrial zones and clusters strictly comply with plannings and lie outside the traffic safety corridor of the entire road.

+ Crossings must not be casually opened from construction works, including people's houses, to the road, cutting across sewers, blocking the water drainage sewers along the entire road.

+ Minimizing the opening of crossings from the planned construction projects along the road to the road.

+ Well organizing traffic hubs when Ho Chi Minh road intersects national highways and important provincial roads with high traffic flow in order to ensure vehicle's speeds and traffic safety, including Lang-Hoa Lac express way, national highways 6, 12B, 15, 47, 48, 7, 8, 12, 9, 49, 14, 24, 40, 19, 25, 26, 27, 28, 13, 22,...

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+ Minimizing local traffic roads' level crossing with Ho Chi Minh road.

+ Organizing feeders, bridges and tunnels, bridge and flyovers and organzing rational connecting roads to and from Ho Chi Minh road sections running through urban centers, population clusters, industrial zones and clusters in order to ensure safe and smooth traffic.

+ Making full use of parallel daily-life roads in order to organize the feeders' system and intersections as well as rational connecting and disconnecting roads with Ho Chi Minh road sections running through dense rural population quarters.

+ The tree planting along the road must comply with the plannings; plans on tree planting should be stipulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, ensuring that the clearance span comply with Vietnamese standard TCVN 4054-98.

- Solutions to the organization of stops:

+ Planning the construction of systems of stops lying outside the road protection corridor in areas where exist beautiful landscapes, combining them with tourist sightseeing, public services such as filling stations, vehicle garages.... Stops may be organized independently or in conjunction with population quarters.

+ The distance between two stops shall be 80 km to 150 km.

+ The minimum size of a stop shall be 1 ha, with the maximum width along the road approximating 200 m.

+ The organization of operation of stops must ensure absolute traffic safety.

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- Water source protection:

+ The protection scope of surface water sources: Between 200m and 500m upstream and 100m and 200m downstream.

+ The protection scope of underground water sources: A protection radius of 25m around drilled wells must be ensured.

+ The protection scope of water reservoirs, dams: A protection distance of 300m around the reservoirs and dams on the whole basin must be ensured.

Within the above-mentioned protection scope polluting projects must not be built and waste water must not be discharged.

- Environmental protection:

+ For nature conservation zones, relics areas: To comply with the plannings on nature conservation zones, relics areas and with law provisions.

+ For zones lying within flood-discharging corridors or erosion- and slide-prone areas: Construction development is forbidden in unstably geological regions, in flood-discharging corridors and erosion- and slide-prone areas. Population quarters or other functional quarters which have already existed in these regions should be studied for relocation in the course of implementing the project on construction of the road.

The solution of sectional fill-up and leveling should be selected as the technical preparation for construction land in order to minimize the destruction of natural terrain and to overcome the phenomenon of alluvial deposits in rivers, water streams as well as soil erosion and land slide.

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Areas projected for development of construction along Ho Chi Minh road must lie outside the 500 KV high-voltage power transmission lines' isolation corridors.

+ For areas affected with toxic chemicals (Dioxin): Construction should be restricted or banned, depending on specific areas and nature of specific investment construction items; new population quarters, relic zones, service, trade,...centers must not be built. In case of necessity, the extent of impacts of toxic chemicals must be studied and assessed in order to work out preventive and remedial measures.

For urban centers and other functional quarters currently existing in areas affected by toxic chemicals along the road, the treatment of Dioxin should be studied in order to determine the actual effects of Agent Orange in order to work out measures to prevent and avoid them, to detoxicate and overcome adverse impacts.

8. Investment and construction priority

a) To formulate detailed plannings and investment projects and organize the construction of resettlement areas in order to stabilize the life and production of people in relocated areas.

b) To build traffic intersections (overhead or underground), satisfying in time the construction investment demands when necessary and ensuring safe and smooth traffic on the whole road.

c) To plant trees on both sides of the road and at the same time deploy projects related to the protection and restoration of headwater protection forests.

d) To renovate and upgrade East-West roads, particularly those in the Central Highland region, creating favorable conditions for communications and exchanges between Ho Chi Minh road and coastal economic development regions as well as western border regions of the country.

e) To renovate and upgrade technical infrastructures in the existing population quarters according to plannings and capital sources.

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- To approve, and organize the publication and the implementation of the general planning on construction along Ho Chi Minh road, the sections running through their respective provinces or cities in line with the orientations of the general planning on construction along Ho Chi Minh road (stage 1) toward 2020.

- To promulgate the Regulations for management of construction under the general planning on construction along Ho Chi Minh road, the sections running through provinces or centrally-run cities.

- To organize the elaboration and approval of detailed plannings on urban centers and projected development zones for use as a basis for management of the work of investment and construction.

Article 3.- This Decision takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 4.- The ministers, the heads of ministerial-level agencies, the heads of Government-attached agencies, and the presidents of the People's Committees of the provinces or centrally-run cities where Ho Chi Minh road runs through shall have to implement this Decision.

FOR THE PRIME MINISTER
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER




Nguyen Tan Dung