An Giang (VNA) - Officials, Party members, and residents of Kien Hai special zone in An Giang province have expressed their hope that the Party and the State will introduce special mechanisms and policies tailored for special zones to unlock their existing potential. 
 They emphasised the need to prioritise investment in digital and telecommunications infrastructure in island areas to facilitate the development of digital governance, digital economy, and smart tourism – key pillars aligned with the zones' development orientation. 
 Speaking with the Vietnam News Agency, Doan Hong Duy, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Council of Kien Hai special zone, said many contributors proposed the Party Central Committee soon issue policies to train and nurture young officials, particularly those with strong expertise in science and technology, capable of managing modern governance in island localities. 
 He also recommended that the draft documents place greater emphasis on the role of the all-people defence posture and people’s security at sea, and focus more on strengthening the nation’s overall defence capacity, especially in areas of strategic and vital importance. 
 Kien Hai special zone proposed clearer orientations for developing island-based economic, service, and tourism hubs, with Kien Hai–Phu Quoc–Tho Chau envisioned as a key maritime economic cluster in Vietnam’s southwestern region. It also called for greater investment in integrated infrastructure on densely populated islands and the introduction of special policies to support fishermen in maintaining long-term livelihoods at sea, thereby contributing to maritime economic growth and affirming national sovereignty through daily life and production activities. 
 Regarding the implementation of a two-tier local administration model, Kien Hai’s leaders noted that due to the area’s geographically fragmented location, they proposed establishing subzones in the four communes of former Kien Hai district to serve residents.
 Nguyen Thi Truc Phuong, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of the special zone, proposed a national strategy to attract and utilise talents, especially in key sectors critical for sustainable development. 
 She also recommended establishing mechanisms to ensure connectivity between the public and private sectors, identifying and training young, female, ethnic minority, and technical-scientific personnel, and promoting policies to encourage and protect officials who are innovative and willing to take bold actions for the common good. 
 Phuong suggested the Party Central Committee issue policies to enable young people to participate in grassroots management and community service, thereby developing a generation of capable, locally knowledgeable young leaders ready to contribute to an efficient and streamlined administrative apparatus./.