Through multiple field inspections of projects in the southern area, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vuong Quoc Tuan emphasizes that industrial development must be linked with commerce and services so that residents can benefit from the fruits of sustainable development

From an industrial hub to an urban-service center

After more than a decade of strong investment attraction, particularly the presence of multinational corporations, the southern area of Thai Nguyen has become one of the most dynamic development areas of the province and of the northern midland and mountainous region. From a land once mainly devoted to agricultural production, the area has gradually formed a large-scale industrial-urban hub with industrial parks such as Yen Binh, Diem Thuy, Song Cong I, and Song Cong II. Industrial growth has brought with it a flow of migrating residents, workers, and experts coming to live and work there. Along with that comes an increasingly high demand for housing, shopping, entertainment, health care, education, and quality services. This is the inevitable progression of an industrial region developing in depth: it is not only creating jobs and production value but also forming a living environment good enough to retain workers, attract high-quality human resources, and create new room for growth.

It is readily apparent that the urbanization process in the southern area today no longer stops at expanding housing or transport infrastructure. The focus has shifted to improving urban quality, in which modern commercial institutions, public spaces, green infrastructure, and the service ecosystem play an increasingly important role. In the province's development orientation, southern Thai Nguyen is a growth driver area and also a gateway connecting to the capital, Hanoi, and the major industrial centers of the Northern Key Economic Region. Therefore, coordinated investment in commerce, services, and urban space not only meets immediate needs but also lays the foundation for long-term sustainable development.

The GO! Pho Yen shopping mall project officially breaks ground on May 15, 2026

GO! Pho Yen - a milestone in completing the commercial ecosystem

Central Retail Corporation's groundbreaking for the GO! Pho Yen shopping mall project in Van Xuan ward is an important milestone in completing the southern area's service-commerce ecosystem. The decision by an international retail corporation to invest here is not simply about opening another new shopping destination, but also reflects confidence in the local market potential, purchasing power, population scale, and pace of economic development.

Mr. Olivier Langlet, General Director of Central Retail Corporation Vietnam, praised Thai Nguyen province's investment environment, and noted that Central Retail's projects in Thai Nguyen have all completed procedures in the shortest time of any of the Corporation's projects in Vietnam. This reflects the active partnership and support that the provincial government and departments provide to investors.

Over many years, as incomes and living standards have continued to rise, residents of the southern area have had a growing demand for modern shopping, entertainment, dining, and consumption spaces. The arrival of GO! Pho Yen is expected to fill a missing piece in the area's urban service system. Beyond creating another shopping destination, the project could also drive accompanying service chains such as logistics, transportation, dining, entertainment, e-commerce, and the night-time economy.

In particular, as Van Xuan ward and other southern localities pursue the goal of modern, civilized urban development, the presence of major brands will help shape a new urban look - more dynamic, more convenient, and more competitive.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa, a resident of Van Xuan ward, shared: “We are delighted that our locality has more large-scale projects. In the past, if we wanted to go shopping or take the family out on weekends, we often had to travel to the provincial center. With the GO! shopping mall built right here, daily life and shopping will be more convenient. The project will also help make the urban landscape more modern and vibrant, and create more jobs for local workers”.

The green park and regulating lake in Van Xuan ward are expected to become the “green lungs” of the southern area

Green space for a dynamic urban area

If GO! Pho Yen represents the rhythm of modern commercial life, the green park and regulating lake in Van Xuan ward (2/9 Park) reflects an urban development direction that places greater emphasis on quality of life. In the process of rapid urbanization, the challenge is not only economic growth but also ensuring a livable environment, easing pressure on infrastructure, and creating more public space for residents.

2/9 Park is expected to become an important landscape highlight of the southern area. Besides regulating water and reducing the risk of urban flooding, the project also creates a community space where residents can relax, exercise, and access nature right in the heart of the city. This also reflects a development trend pursued by many modern cities: putting people at the center, and balancing economic development with environmental protection and improved quality of life.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Mai, a resident of the Pho Yen area, said: “As the city develops quickly, green spaces like parks and regulating lakes become even more necessary. Children have more places to play, adults have somewhere to exercise, and the community has more space to gather and socialize”.

It can be seen that developing modern shopping malls alongside green public works at the same time reflects Thai Nguyen's new urban development thinking: not chasing growth alone, but pursuing harmony among the economy, society, landscape, and environment.

Along with green parks and shopping malls, the southern area has also been attracting strategic investors in resort and accommodation services (In the photo: the launch ceremony for the Route Inn Grand Thai Nguyen hotel project)

Forming an urban-industrial-service ecosystem

A notable point in the development of the southern area is the shift from single-sector industrial advantage to a more integrated development model. Previously, the area's biggest driver was the processing and manufacturing industry. Today, alongside migration-driven population growth and rising incomes and living standards, the service sector is also developing rapidly. A series of urban housing, hotel, supermarket, shopping mall, school, and high-quality health care facility projects have been and continue to be invested in.

As services develop, the appeal of the city also rises, creating a positive cycle: industry attracts workers; workers generate consumer demand; growing services help raise quality of life; and this, in turn, continues to attract more investment and high-quality human resources. This is the sustainable development model that many industrial localities are pursuing. Rather than focusing only on production, localities need to build a living environment good enough for workers, experts, and businesses to stay for the long term.

In the province's overall development picture, the southern area is increasingly demonstrating its role as a growth locomotive. Beyond contributing significantly to industrial production value and budget revenue, the area is also becoming a new urban center with strong spillover effects. The continued choice of major corporations to invest here signals confidence in Thai Nguyen's investment environment, and also shows that the province is entering a new stage of development - one focused not only on attracting production, but also on building modern, livable cities.

This transformation cannot be measured by economic growth figures alone. More importantly, residents' quality of life is gradually improving; business confidence is being strengthened; and new commercial and service spaces, parks, regulating lakes, hotels, and urban institutions are gradually emerging on land once known mainly for tea and industry.

A modern city is not just made up of factories, industrial parks, or high-rise buildings. It must also be a place with civilized shopping malls, green parks, clean regulating lakes, and livable community spaces. Southern Thai Nguyen today is gradually realizing that goal through concrete projects, strategically significant developments, and the strong development aspirations of a driving-force region.