Long An's transport infrastructure is increasingly invested

Rising from hardship

After the country's reunification, in the context of the whole country facing numerous difficulties, Long An proactively implemented many policies to restore and develop the economy, gradually improving people's lives. In particular, the first mark was the movement to mobilize farmers to return to their hometowns, reclaim land, and restore production.

One of the decisions of historical significance was the bold proposal by the Long An Provincial Party Committee to develop the Dong Thap Muoi area, which used to be an area of wilderness, heavily contaminated with alum, and uninhabited. The policy of encouraging people to come here to settle down has revived a large area of land.

After only a few decades, the wild Dong Thap Muoi area has been transformed into a large rice granary, making a particularly important contribution to the country's food security.

Sitting in front of a spacious house along a canal in Hung Dien B commune, Tan Hung district, Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, over 70 years old, could not hide his emotions when recalling the time of reclaiming the Dong Thap Muoi region.

“Back then, this place was full of sedges, acidic soil, no electricity, sparsely populated houses, and crops failed. But now it has become a high-quality rice production area, with spacious asphalt roads, schools, and medical stations being invested in. Now this area lacks nothing, it is true that “with human strength, stones and rocks can turn into rice” - Mr. Thanh shared.

Along with agricultural development, in the first years after the country's reunification, Long An boldly reformed, gradually abolished the subsidy mechanism, expanded production and circulation of goods, creating a foundation for strong transformation later.

Entering the 21st century, especially in recent years, Long An has made impressive breakthroughs in economic development. In 2024, the province's GRDP growth rate reached 8.3%, ranking 3rd in the Mekong Delta.

The economic structure continues to shift towards industrialization and modernization, with the industrial and construction sector accounting for 52.08%. GRDP per capita in 2024 reached 107.3 million VND, ranking first in the region; state budget revenue reached 26,500 billion VND; poor households decreased to 0.56%.

In addition, in 2024, agricultural production maintained a stable growth momentum with rice output reaching more than 3.1 million tons, of which high-quality rice accounts for 72%. Industry and construction grew strongly, reaching 10.95%. Export turnover reached 7.5 billion USD, import turnover reached 5.4 billion USD.

Long An is gradually affirming its position as one of the attractive investment destinations. In 2023, the province rose to 2nd place in the country in terms of Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI), up 8 places compared to 2022.

At the same time, Long An also made great strides in the Provincial Green Index (PGI), up 16 places, ranking 12th in the country. These figures show a clear shift in international integration and trade.

According to a recent report by the Provincial People's Committee, the province currently has 20,165 operating enterprises with a total registered capital of up to 400,967 billion VND. Regarding foreign investment, Long An has attracted 1,409 projects with a total capital of more than 12.7 billion USD.

Industrial parks alone have attracted 2,022 projects with a total investment capital of more than 7.2 billion USD and 145,660 billion VND. The industrial land occupancy rate reached 69% with the remaining clean land area available for lease being more than 726 hectares.

The province also planned 72 industrial clusters, of which 17 are already in operation, 27 are developing infrastructure, and 28 are newly planned in the 2021-2030 period. The currently operating industrial clusters have an occupancy rate of up to 84.21%.

Accelerating sustainable development

The province's rice output in 2024 reached more than 3.1 million tons

In parallel with economic development, the province has constantly paid attention to culture, society, health, education, transportation, national defense - security, etc. As people who once fought on Long An land, recently, a group of veterans of Battalion 1 Long An living in the northern provinces returned to visit the old battlefield.

Talking to us, the soldiers of Uncle Ho expressed their joy when witnessing the increasingly new appearance of urban and rural areas of Long An. "Every time we return to the old battlefield, we see a Long An that has developed remarkably with many achievements.

In particular, in that development process, I was very moved to know that the province always pays attention to doing a good job of "repaying gratitude", taking care of the lives of wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, and martyrs' families" - Mr. Hoang Van Chien, a veteran of Battalion 1 Long An (Northern region) expressed.

In 2025, the final year of implementing the Resolution of the 11th Provincial Party Congress, Long An sets an economic growth target of 8.5-9%, striving to reach 10-11% in favorable conditions.

According to Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee - Nguyen Van Ut, to successfully implement the goals and tasks in 2025, the province will promote economic restructuring associated with growth model innovation, improve productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness, and strengthen the resilience of the economy.

The province will accelerate the construction of synchronous transport infrastructure, especially inter-regional key projects, and urban areas; focus on improving the investment and business environment; effectively implement solutions to maintain and improve the Provincial Competitiveness Index. Mr. Nguyen Van Ut also emphasized that economic development goes hand in hand with social progress and equity, focusing on improving the material and spiritual life and health of the people; perform well the tasks of security, national defense, internal affairs, and foreign affairs.

In addition, the province will focus on implementing innovation, arranging the organization of the political system to be streamlined, operate effectively and efficiently, and meet the requirements of industrialization and modernization.

A corner of Tan An City from above

Half a century has passed since the country's reunification, Long An has never stopped but has always been resilient and courageous in overcoming difficulties and challenges.

With the tradition of "bravery and resilience" and the spirit of constant innovation, Long An today is breaking through, contributing to the development of the country in the era of national development./.

Reported by Le Duc

Translated by NT