New look, new momentum

The city has effectively implemented master plans to serve investment attraction and socio-economic development. Photo: Thanh Doan

Completing infrastructure

The Green Urban Project—the Thua Thien Hue component of the Class II Urban Areas Development Program—was approved by the Provincial People's Committee (now the City People's Committee) in 2016 and adjusted in 2023. The project comprises 10 packages with a total construction value exceeding 1,000 billion VND. Currently, nearly 791 billion VND has been disbursed, achieving approximately 76%. After implementation with numerous upgrades, new constructions, and urban beautification projects on both the south and north banks of the Huong River in the city center area and several localities, completion has now been achieved. This project not only improves and expands the transportation network, gradually completing synchronous infrastructure and creating momentum for urban development, but also promotes commercial service business development and exploits the potential of localities.

In practice, many completed components of the Green Urban Project have upgraded infrastructure, improved environmental management, and enhanced residents’ quality of life while minimizing negative environmental impacts and strengthening climate change resilience. Package 24 includes the construction of drainage systems and sidewalks in 4 inner-city wards, dredging and embankment of citadel lakes, and embellishment and construction of embankments along Dong Ba River, with a contract value of over 233 billion VND (started in 2021), implemented by Construction and Trading Company 299. Its cumulative implementation value to date is approximately 208 billion VND, achieving over 89% of the contract value. Currently, the contractor has completed the construction of road surfaces, sidewalks, rainwater drainage, greenery, and lighting, and handed over for use 11 out of 16 roads under this package. It also dredged and embanked lakes in the citadel and handed over 5 out of 6 lakes. Additionally, the Dong Ba embankment section and 5 other roads have been completed and are undergoing acceptance and handover for use.

Similarly, the Thua Thien Hue component of the Greater Mekong Subregion Tourism Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth Project - Phase 2 has also been completed. Implemented from 2022 with three packages financed by an Asian Development Bank loan, the project now serves Hue City. The project comprises three packages: upgrading transportation and tourism infrastructure, and upgrading or constructing new boat terminals throughout the city. It aims to enhance the competitiveness of secondary tourism sites by improving infrastructure and the tourism environment.

Mr. Le Thanh Bac, Deputy Director of the Project Management Unit, assessed that the completed project has supplemented and met the needs for upgrading infrastructure and transportation systems between regions in the city and tourist sites in the area, creating favorable conditions for travel, serving people’s livelihoods and tourism as well as goods exchange in the region, contributing to socio-economic development of localities.

The internal and external transportation system has been invested quite synchronously

Creating an inter-regional space

Recently, the city has prioritized accelerating the implementation progress of economic-technical infrastructure development projects, especially transportation infrastructure with connectivity and spillover effects. With attention from the central government and ministries, the city has organized and coordinated the implementation of many projects and plans, gradually completing the internal and external transportation system, creating interconnected linkages, and opening up many socio-economic development opportunities.

In early 2024, the Prime Minister approved the Master Plan for Thua Thien Hue Urban Area (now Hue City) to 2045, with a vision to 2065 under Decision No. 108/QD-TTg (abbreviated as Master Plan 108), which is an important foundation and premise for the city to focus on additional infrastructure investment and transform the urban landscape. The Master Plan 108 also facilitates the formation and development of satellite towns, new urban areas, or residential areas, creating premises to expand Hue’s urban area.

According to the Department of Construction, the city effectively implemented key programs on urban development in 2025. Notable projects include upgrading National Highway 49F from Ho Chi Minh Road to Hong Van border gate, and expanding the La Son - Hoa Lien expressway to four lanes, which began construction in May 2025. In addition, external transportation system investment projects managed by the city and routes connecting the central urban area with satellite towns are also progressing well, following targeted requirements.

Notably, the coastal road and Thuan An overpass bridge project completed the bridge connection in April 2025 and opened for technical traffic-through in September 2025. The Nguyen Hoang road and Huong River overpass bridge project opened for technical traffic-through in March 2025, and completed site clearance for Nguyen Hoang road. The Phong Dien - Dien Loc rescue road was completed and put into use in September 2025. The Provincial Road 15 upgrade project was also completed in the fourth quarter of 2025. In addition, the city continues to accelerate site clearance and implement the extended To Huu road to Phu Bai airport project in late 2025 and the Belt Road No. 3.

According to the Department of Construction, the urban sector achieved significant results in 2025. Planning management, construction oversight, and urban management were further strengthened, while the city prioritized implementing master plans approved by the Prime Minister, particularly the 2025 City Urban Development Program. Currently, the city's key public investment and inter-regional projects with spillover effects are progressing well, with strong implementation and disbursement rates leading to early completion. Transportation infrastructure projects, in particular, have generated momentum toward achieving double-digit growth targets.