ANTD.VN - Architect Tran Ngoc Chinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, made the above comment when discussing a number of planning and project implementation issues to better exploit space, contributing to the country's sustainable development in the new era.
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| By 2050, Vietnam will have 33 airports . Illustration: Van Don Airport |
Rapid airport network planning
- Reporter: Sir, recently the phrase "vigorously exploiting space" is often mentioned, how should we understand this?
Architect Tran Ngoc Chinh : Recently at the groundbreaking ceremony of Gia Binh airport, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said: " Vietnam needs to focus on exploiting outer space, exploiting marine space and exploiting underground space". In which, exploiting outer space is not only launching spacecraft, exploring planets but the economic significance is exploiting and operating aviation infrastructure well.
Vietnam currently has 22 airports, serving 100 million passengers per year; and in the near future, 33 planned airports are all identified for joint military and civil use. In the announcement of the Master Plan for the development of the national airport system for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, the Ministry of Transport affirmed the important role of the airport network, which creates a driving force for socio-economic development.
From a planning perspective, I think our country's airport system is not large.
With 63 provinces and cities spread across the S-shaped land, it is necessary to add airports to connect trade and transportation between localities. In particular, airports are of great significance because they can serve dual purposes, meeting the needs of national defense as well as serving economic development. Therefore, the Prime Minister's implication when talking about "exploiting space" is understood as investing in airport infrastructure and developing the aviation industry. Developing the airport network is important and necessary.
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| Architect Tran Ngoc Chinh |
- What do you think about the prospects of Vietnam's economy if we can strongly exploit space?
As the Prime Minister said, “The country is developing, has a large population, and limited land, so we must exploit these spaces well to develop.” I completely agree with the view that space, specifically the aviation economy, if exploited well, will bring great economic benefits and be an important growth driver. Looking more broadly, investment in transport infrastructure is considered a breakthrough to create momentum to bring the country into an era of growth. The first important task is to plan well, then find partners to implement quality, quickly and effectively.
As I know, the United States - a country of 345 million people (population size more than 3 times that of Vietnam) has more than 19,600 airports. Of these, nearly 5,100 are public airports, and more than 14,500 are private airports. This statistic is based on the way airports are used, regardless of ownership. This is evidence that in the most developed country in the world, they have developed a dense airport network. Recently, China has begun to rapidly and strongly develop its airport system, not only serving the needs of travel and cargo transportation, but also serving users of helicopters, private planes, etc.
Similarly, we also need to consider planning ahead of time for transport infrastructure, including a network of airports, both civil, specialized and dual-use in many localities. And when there is good planning that is sustainable and long-term, it ensures high efficiency and brings economic prospects.
In terms of new aviation infrastructure investment projects since 1975 in our country, there are still very few. The brightest spot among the newly built airports is Van Don International Airport. The airport was deployed quickly, has good quality, and is highly motivated. The impressive thing is that this airport was invested and built by Sun Group Corporation. A completely new company in this field but still did it.
Need to attract "leading cranes" to seize development opportunities
- How do you evaluate when private enterprises participate in airport projects?
Understanding the role of "leading the way" of transport infrastructure in the country's economic development, in recent years, many localities have invited private enterprises to participate in investing in transport infrastructure, building large-scale, spacious and modern highways and airports. A typical example is Quang Ninh, a locality with good urban planning and a modern Air - Water - Road transport system. When I attended the inauguration event of the Air - Water - Road of Quang Ninh province including Van Don International Airport, Ha Long International Passenger Port and Ha Long - Van Don Expressway at the end of 2018, I realized that the private sector has now completed very difficult projects, done quickly, effectively and with high aesthetics. This trio of infrastructure has good planning, high quality, and great motivation.
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| Illustrative perspective of Gia Binh airport - the airport that Sun Group committed to construct within 12 months |
Regarding airports, looking back over the past time, investing in new airports often takes many years. Considering new aviation infrastructure investment projects since 1975 in our country, they are still very limited. The brightest spot among them is Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh. This is a new airport invested and built by a private corporation, reaching level 4E (according to the standard code of the International Civil Aviation Organization - ICAO) and a level II military airport. The airport terminal is designed very impressively, meaning a welcoming point to the world of the Ha Long Bay Heritage land. In particular, the implementation time of only 24 months is also a record, requiring great investment and determination, especially on a complex terrain, all hills and marshes of this area before.
In addition to its aviation business significance, this airport has also become a rescue airport during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is of great significance, and shows the timeliness of an airport that is quickly deployed, operates smoothly and safely. It also shows the investment and construction capacity of the private airport investor Sun Group.
Up to now, Van Don airport plays the role of a tourist airport, and in the future will be an important logistics center for our country and China. Looking into the future, exporting seafood by air from Van Don airport will be very potential.
- How can Vietnam have more private airports deployed so quickly and effectively, sir?
Recently, Gia Binh Airport (in Bac Ninh) has a private contractor (Sun Group - the company also investing in the construction of Van Don International Airport) attracting attention with its commitment to complete a dual-use airport within 12 months.
I think that Sun Group is a private enterprise but has the slogan "Beautifying the lands", has dreams, aspirations, and very correct decisions. For development, they put themselves in the development of the country, especially the development of Vietnam tourism. And in the field of infrastructure, Sun Group has proven its capacity as a large investor with a long-term vision. Projects invested by Sun Group are implemented quickly, effectively, optimize costs and achieve good quality. The proof is the 3 Air - Water - Road projects in Quang Ninh mentioned above. These are all difficult, large-scale projects, of international standards.
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| Perspective of Gia Binh airport terminal |
Perhaps that is why this enterprise continues to be selected by the Government and the Ministry of Public Security as the contractor to build Gia Binh Airport. This will continue to be a “test of the road” for Sun Group. On the contrary, if it is successful according to the commitment on progress within 12 months and achieves good quality, the project will continue to strengthen the trust in the capacity of Sun Group in particular and private enterprises in general in infrastructure investment and national key projects.
Once completed, with its strategic location not far from Hanoi, Gia Binh airport is likely to become an airport specializing in welcoming heads of state, similar to Orly airport, Paris (France), or Vnukovo airport, Moscow, Russia. For that reason, Gia Binh airport needs to be urgently deployed to ensure quick and timely progress.
- On the contrary, on the Government side, what mechanisms and conditions will be needed for the private sector to participate in infrastructure construction, sir?
In recent times, the private sector has demonstrated its capacity in developing key infrastructure projects. The projects have been implemented quickly and decisively, especially without exceeding capital, demonstrating the spirit of fighting waste and saving enormous resources for the country.
Private enterprises are capable of performing important tasks to build the nation. So, obviously, in my opinion, the Government needs to have policies to attract investment such as preferential loan policies, appropriate policy mechanisms to meet the requirements of the overall and harmonious development of the country, enterprises and people.
Planning plays an important role here. When there are clear laws and planning in advance, businesses can propose to participate in projects. In my opinion, these policies will be proposed in accordance with each project and each context. However, it is necessary to study early to create a policy mechanism to promote private businesses to participate in investing in transport infrastructure in general, and airports in particular, in order to create a breakthrough in transport infrastructure, meeting the requirements of national development in the new era.
Thank you!
Source: https://www.anninhthudo.vn/muon-dot-pha-ha-tang-giao-thong-nhat-dinh-phai-moi-goi-cac-tap-doan-kinh-te-tu-nhan-post600121.antd
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