An urbanised area in Luong Son district.

On December 31, 2021, the provincial Party Committee issued Resolution No. 10-NQ/TU on mobilising resources to develop Luong Son to meet the criteria for a type IV urban area and ultimately to a provincial town.

To implement this effectively, the district has developed specific programmes and plans. The local government has allocated budget to devise six planning schemes for six urban wards and five planning schemes for communes, while focusing resources on upgrading Hoa Son, Nhuan Trach, Cu Yen, Tan Vinh and Lam Son communes and Luong Son township to meet criteria to become wards.

The district is also revising its mid-term public investment plan for the 2021-2025 period with priority given to infrastructure projects, including transportation, lighting, schools, healthcare facilities, administrative buildings, irrigation systems, and clean water supply.

Since the beginning of the year, over 20 new infrastructure projects have commenced, along with nearly 40 ongoing projects carried over from previous years. Additionally, around ten projects have been completed, upgrading 18 km of roads and irrigation canals along with many community facilities, including schools and cultural centres.

The district is also accelerating key infrastructure projects, such as the road to Nhuan Trach industrial park, with an investment of 270 billion VND (over 10.6 million USD), and the connection road between Luong Son and Xuan Mai, costing 1 trillion VND. Other significant developments include a commercial and residential urban area spanning 60.39 ha.

As of June 2024, Luong Son's urbanisation rate has surpassed 54%. To become an urban ward, each administrative unit must meet at least 10 out of 13 unfrastructure development criteria. Currently, four out of six targeted communes, namely Luong Son town and Nhuan Trach, Tan Vinh, and Lam Son communes, have met the necessary infrastructure standards.

The transformation of Luong Son into an urban area is evident, with ongoing projects positively impacting the local economy by creating jobs and improving residents' incomes. The coordinated investment in infrastructure has led to systematic development in transportation, education, and healthcare, along with enhancements in drainage, lighting, and green spaces.

Nguyen Anh Duc, Vice Chairman of the district People's Committee, emphasised that the district's greatest advantage in upgrading infrastructure is the strong collaboration in the entire political system and people’s support. Transparency and public engagement have been prioritised, with feedback sought from officials and residents before project implementation.

The district plans to continue following the directives outlined in Resolution No. 10-NQ/TU, Action Programme No. 15-CTr/HU, and Plan No. 209/KH-UBND, aiming to establish Luong Son as a town by 2025.

The district will focus on finalising urban development plans, seeking necessary approvals from relevant agencies, and ensuring compliance with regulations. It aims to submit its comprehensive urban development programme for approval by the Ministry of Construction in the first quarter of 2025.