Phu Tho post-merger: Opening new space and momentum for development
WVR - On July 1, 2025, the three provinces of Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and Hoa Binh officially merged, unveiling a new landscape on the national administrative map. This strategic milestone aims to open up new development space and momentum for the Land of Ancestors and the entire Northern Midland and Mountainous region.
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| Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and Hoa Binh are three regions with distinct identities, like three cultural - historical - human sources of the Vietnamese nation. (Photo: An Binh) |
A multi-centred, highly integrated development model
During a meeting with the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committees of Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and Hoa Binh in June 2025, regarding the implementation of recent Central resolutions and conclusions; local organizational restructuring; national defense and security; economic growth tasks and social welfare assurance, General Secretary To Lam affirmed: Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and Hoa Binh are three regions with distinct identities, like three cultural - historical - human sources of the Vietnamese nation, flowing continuously through thousands of years of nation-building and defense.
This is the cradle of Vietnamese culture, now converging and closely connecting in a promising new development space. The three provinces - with their unique characteristics - are gradually uniting into a cohesive whole, blending in geography, history, culture, population, and economic structure.
The integration of the industrial plains - historical midlands - ecological mountains not only facilitates administrative boundaries but also opens opportunities for forming a multi-center, highly integrated development model, ensuring both traditional continuity and a modern future outlook.
Indeed, the merger of the three provinces has opened a new economic development space for Phu Tho with a vast scale in terms of area, population, and domestic market. In 2024, the province's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) is estimated to reach nearly 290 trillion VND, growing over 8.5% annually on average. This is among the highest growth rates in the Northern Midland and Mountainous region, reflecting the effective economic management and strong integration capability of the newly reorganized province.
The economic structure has undergone significant shifts. The industrial and construction sectors now account for about half of the total economic value, becoming the main growth driver. The service sector accounts for about 35%, playing a role in connecting and enhancing the quality of life for residents.
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| Mai Chau, Hoa Binh is as beautiful as a painting. (Photo: An Sinh) |
Meanwhile, the proportion of agriculture - forestry - fisheries has decreased to below 15% but has been restructured towards clean, high-tech agriculture, linked with value chain development.
Distinct development nuclei have emerged. The former Phu Tho - the sacred Ancestral Land - is a cultural and historical center rich in tradition, where Việt Trì city was once a nucleus for light industry, services, and spiritual tourism.
The former Vĩnh Phúc province, known as the "Northern factory" with major industrial zones like Khai Quang, Thang Long Vinh Phuc, Ba Thien, has made significant contributions to the development of the Northern supporting industry. Meanwhile, the former Hoa Binh possesses a forest ecosystem, lakes, and large hydropower resources, with potential for eco-tourism, resort, and organic agriculture development.
The merger of the three provinces provides favorable conditions for a comprehensive restructuring of the growth model, expanding linkage space, and awakening regional and national resources. The new Phu Tho has the largest population, area, and GRDP in the Northern Midland and Mountainous region, ranking among the top nationwide.
The new province borders seven localities, including the capital Hanoi, Noi Bai International Airport, the dynamic plains, and the potential-rich Northwest region. The combination of plains - midlands - mountains endows Phú Thọ with geographical, economic, and cultural appeal.
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| The former Vinh Phuc province, known as the "Northern factory" with major industrial zones like Khai Quang, Thang Long Vinh Phuc, Ba Thien. (Photo: Phuc Anh) |
Strong momentum post-merger
In the first nine months of 2025, thanks to proactive, creative, and flexible leadership, direction, and administration by the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee; along with the consensus of the people and businesses, Phú Thọ's socio-economic development results have been quite comprehensive.
The province's GRDP growth rate is expected to increase by 10% compared to the same period last year, with the industrial and construction sectors growing by 14.6%, the service sector by 8.3%, and the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector by 3.3%. Total budget revenue for nine months is estimated at 42 trillion VND; by the end of September 2025, total mobilized capital is expected to exceed 305 trillion VND, up 17.2% compared to the same period in 2024.
In tourism, in the first nine months, Phu Tho welcomed about 3.65 million overnight visitors, including approximately 95,000 international visitors, with tourism revenue reaching nearly 12 trillion VND. This indicates that tourism has "geared up" faster than expected, making a practical contribution to local economic growth.
Regarding investment attraction, the province is estimated to achieve 912.5 million USD in foreign direct investment (FDI), up 39% year-on-year and reaching 86.2% of the annual target. Domestic direct investment (DDI) is estimated at 62.3 trillion VND, nearly three times higher than the same period. In nine months, 3,800 new businesses were registered, up 62.5% year-on-year and achieving 108.6% of the annual plan; new registered capital is about 33 trillion VND.
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| Hoa Binh Hydropower (Phu Tho province). (Photo: Toan Thang) |
The figures for the first nine months of 2025 are evidence of Phú Thọ's strong momentum post-merger.
In 2025, Phu Tho aims for a GRDP growth of 10.3%, and an average growth of 11-12% for the 2026-2030 period. This is not just a figure representing political determination but also a necessary requirement to rapidly develop Phú Thọ, commensurate with its potential.
Phu Tho Provincial People's Committee Chairman Tran Duy Dong stated that to achieve double-digit growth, Phu Tho will focus on four main pillars. Firstly, industry - construction will continue to be the main driver, through attracting high-tech investment, processing and manufacturing, and accelerating key infrastructure projects.
Secondly, agriculture will develop in a green and sustainable direction, applying high technology, linked with value chains and OCOP branding.
Thirdly, services and tourism will be vigorously exploited, especially the unique cultural-historical advantages of the Ancestral Land.
Fourthly, education, healthcare, and science and technology will be prioritized to enhance human resource quality and promote comprehensive digital transformation.
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| The new Phu Tho not only expands industrial development space but also creates breakthrough opportunities in investment attraction and economic restructuring. (Photo: Vy Anh) |
The new Phu Tho also lays the foundation for the Planning period 2026-2035, with a vision to 2050. Three sub-regions are established: Eastern Axis: Industrial - service - logistics center, connecting from Vinh Yen through Viet Tri to Hoa Binh city.
Western Axis: Eco-tourism - cultural space, preserving indigenous values. Northern Axis: High-tech agriculture - forestry region, medicinal plants, digital agriculture.
By connecting and activating unique advantages, these three axes will no longer be "separate pieces" but a driving force forming an efficient and sustainable growth engine.
It is evident that the new Phu Tho not only expands industrial development space but also creates breakthrough opportunities in investment attraction and economic restructuring. With the right strategy, synchronized participation, and flexible policies, Phu Tho aims to become an attractive destination for investors both domestically and internationally in the new context.
