VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Construction has submitted to the government a plan on relocating universities in the capital area until 2025 with vision to 2050.

This could have affected the development of the capital and cause big difficulties, especially a shortage of land and traffic jams. Therefore, at the end of 2008, the government asked the Ministry of Education and Training to cooperate with the Ministry of Construction to programme the relocation of several universities and junior colleges from the inner city to suburban areas.

After thorough consideration, the Ministry of Construction suggested six localities which universities should be removed to: Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Ha Nam, and Hoa Binh, and some localities belonging to the northern key economic zone.

According to the Ministry of Construction, if universities are moved to these localities, the density of students and number of universities in the city centre will be lower and not hinder urban development activities. Moreover, Vietnam will be able to set up suitable connections between urban areas, production areas and research areas in the region.

The ministry has also pointed out that the relocation will create favourable conditions for the establishment of satellite urban areas which have the function of training, and will restrict the construction of separate universities.

The ministry said that in nine months, the ministry would submit a list of universities that should be relocated and universities that should stay put to the government for approval.

VietNamNet/TBKTVN