Van Don asks for suspension of projects pending special master plan Quang Ninh - The Van Don Economic Zone Authority has asked the People’s Committee of Van Don district and investors to stop establishing new projects, adjusting project plans and applying for investment pending the approval of master plans for the future special administrative-economic zone. A view of Cai Bau Island, part of Van Don district (Photo: VNA) Projects subject to the proposed suspension exclude new projects relating to social security of Van Don district along with  “Con duong di san” (Heritage Road) project,  Sonasea Dragon Bay rerort complex, Ngoc Vung Island project and Sun Group project, which are major investments. The Van Don Economic Zone Authority proposed that other projects only be permitted to continue by the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh province after a master socio-economic plan and general construction plan of the Van Don special administrative-economic zone are approved. For the projects that have received investment approval or investment registration certificates, the authority will ask the provincial administration to allow them to reschedule their progress if necessary, so their implementation can continue after the master plans are adopted. The north-eastern border province of Quang Ninh is working to build Van Don into a special administrative-economic zone to meet new development requirements. Van Don is also expected to become a green coastal city and an example of climate change response in the region. Quang Ninh has employed Arcadis & Callison RTKL company, which has branches in the US, the Netherlands and some other countries, to make the plans. Van Don will be one of the first three special administrative-economic zones in Vietnam. The others are Bac Van Phong in central Khanh Hoa province and Phu Quoc in southern Kien Giang province. VNA