Infrastructure development needed to improve people’s living standards

The development of physical infrastructure as well as educational and health infrastructure is essential to improve the living standards of people across the country, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said.

He made the statement at a conference in Hanoi on February 28 to review the implementation of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Resolution No.13-NQ/TW dated January 16, 2012 on building a synchronous infrastructure system in order to turn Vietnam into a modernity-oriented industrial country by 2020.

The resolution requires focusing investment on transport infrastructure, electricity supply, irrigation networks, climate change adaptation and urban development.

Photo for illustration.
Photo for illustration. 

From 2012, the Government promulgated an action programme to realise this resolution

PM Phuc recognised infrastructure development over the past years, but pointed out shortcomings in the field such as asynchronous planning and snail-speed implementation of some projects.

Poor infrastructure also hinders the country’s development with urgent issues like traffic congestions and hospital overload.

The supplementation, revision and reform of mechanisms and institutions are needed to develop infrastructure, the PM said, underlining the proposal of the Ministry of Planning and Investment to promote public-private partnership (PPP) form.

He noted that when the economic scale has increased to over 5 quadrillion VND (218 billion USD) and the public debt reduced to 61 percent, it is necessary to weigh measures to seek financial resources from official development assistance (ODA), Government bonds, and international bonds for infrastructure development.

Vietnam's public and private sector infrastructure investment averaged 5.7 percent of gross domestic product in recent years, the highest in Southeast Asia and compares with 6.8 percent in China, according to the Asian Development Bank. Indonesia and the Philippines spend less than 3 percent, while Malaysia and Thailand spend even less at under 2 percent.

The ADB estimates that emerging economies in the region will need to invest as much as 26 trillion USD through 2030 to build transport networks, boost power supply and upgrade water and sanitation facilities. Vietnam, among the fastest-growing nations in the world, is boosting infrastructure to lure more foreign investors as it positions itself as Asia's next Tiger Economy.

Vietnam needs about 480 billion USD through 2020 to construct 11 power plants with total capacity of 13,200 megawatts and about 1,380 kilometres of highways as well as carry out other environment, health and education projects.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.