Pakxong to become second largest town in Champassak
THE DISTRICT of Pakxong will be developed into the second-largest urban centre in Laos’ Champassak province after Pakxe, according to a provincial official.
Champassak province has been undertaking groundwork to develop the town with assistance from Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, creating a new urban plan for Pakxong to deal with its rapid economic growth and development.
Bounnao Fongkhamdeng, deputy director of the provincial Public Works and Transport Department, told Vientiane Times that provincial authorities were preparing urban planning development proposals for the government. Ho Chi Minh City devised a new urban plan for Pakxong as the existing one has not been updated for 30 years and it is not appropriate for its present and future development, he said.
“Vietnam funded the new design, aiming to develop trade, investment and tourism, but the money to realise the project will have to come from the Laotian government,” he said.
Champassak province is made up of the 10 districts of Pakxe, Xanasomboun, Bachiengchaleun-souk, Pakxong, Pathoumphon, Phonthong, Champassak, Souk-houma, Mounlapamok and Khong.
Ho Chi Minh City presented the new urban planning design to Champassak province on Monday at a hand-over ceremony attended by provincial Governor Dr Bounthong Divixay and Le Thanh Hai, former member of the Vietnamese Politburo and former Ho Chi Minh party secretary.
Surveys were carried out in March 2013, with the final plan completed in August this year.
