The key to attracting investment.

As 2025 draws to a close with many changes, Thanh Hoa remains a bright spot in attracting investment, consistently achieving milestones in the implementation of large-scale projects, creating new expectations for the accelerated growth phase from 2026 to 2030.

Steel component manufacturing at Nghi Son High-Tech Mechanical Plant.

Less than a year after receiving investment approval, in October 2025, the WHA Smart Technology Industrial Park in Thanh Hoa completed all procedures and officially commenced construction. The project is expected to attract billions of USD in secondary investment in the fields of electronics, automotive components, clean energy, and new materials.

Representatives from WHA Group observed that the electronics and electrical-electronics industries in northern Vietnam are experiencing strong growth, opening up significant opportunities for Thanh Hoa province. “Our sales team has received positive signals from Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and even some European investors. This is the driving force behind WHA's accelerated project progress,” shared Mr. Pajongwit Pongsivapai, General Director of WHA Industrial Development Public Co.

The Thang Long Thanh Hoa Industrial Park (Phase 1) – a project by Sumitomo Group (Japan) with a total investment of over VND 2,917 billion – is also urgently carrying out land clearance work to commence construction in the first quarter of 2026. Mr. Kenta Kawanabe, General Director of Thang Long Industrial Parks in Vietnam, affirmed: "We are completely reassured and very confident in choosing Thanh Hoa to invest in this project. During the investment procedures, there were some obstacles, but we received timely support from the province and relevant departments and agencies of Thanh Hoa. The province's proactive and receptive approach has given us added motivation to accelerate the investment process and implement the next phases as soon as possible."

From the beginning of the year until now, Thanh Hoa has attracted 119 direct investment projects, including 13 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, with total registered capital of VND 18,110 billion and USD 437.5 million respectively, an increase of 29% compared to the same period last year. The province also adjusted capital increases for 9 FDI projects with an increase of USD 160.7 million. To date, Thanh Hoa has 180 FDI projects with a total registered capital of approximately USD 15.6 billion, ranking 8th nationwide in FDI attraction. This figure shows that the province's position is being clearly defined; and at the same time confirms that the focused and targeted investment attraction strategy has been effective.

In 2025, alongside meeting with and attracting investment from major domestic investors and corporations, Thanh Hoa proactively expanded international cooperation, elevating its economic diplomacy . The province welcomed and worked with numerous high-level delegations such as Seongnam City (South Korea), Niigata Province (Japan), and the embassies of Japan, Australia, and Switzerland. Simultaneously, it organized and participated in inter-sectoral working groups to the Russian Federation, Kuwait, and Switzerland to expand cooperation and promote its potential. Participation in multilateral forums, especially business networking programs with Japan and Europe, helped Thanh Hoa directly access industrial, energy, and high-tech corporations – key targets for investment attraction in the province.

This year, in addition to new projects put into operation such as the Nghi Son High-Tech Mechanical Plant (Phase 1); the Radial Tire Manufacturing Plant, and the Lamori Resort, a series of new projects have also been launched, such as: the Commercial Service and Cable Car Project within the Am Tien Spiritual and Historical Relics Tourism Complex; the Duc Giang Nghi Son Chemical Complex; the ASEAN Vietnam Ceramic Valley... These projects not only create new momentum for industry, tourism, and services but also contribute to improving the investment environment towards a more modern, competitive, and transparent direction.

Construction of the finished product storage tank area, Project No. 1 - Duc Giang Nghi Son Plant.

Entering 2026, Thanh Hoa province aims for double-digit growth, with total investment in the province projected to reach approximately 168,000 billion VND. Along with traditional pillars such as heavy industry, petrochemicals, and manufacturing and processing, the province will seek new drivers from high-tech industries, clean energy, logistics, and high-quality services. It is expected that in 2026, Thanh Hoa will organize a provincial-level investment promotion conference to attract major domestic and foreign investors across various sectors.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Thanh Hoa province expects to establish new cooperative relationships with 2-3 foreign localities between 2026 and 2030, focusing on strategic regions such as Northeast Asia, the Middle East, the European Union, North America, and Australia. The province will also proactively host national-level foreign affairs events and strengthen connections with international media to promote its image and build trust with the global business community.

Thanh Hoa's investment attraction focus in the new phase will shift from attracting quantity to attracting quality, prioritizing high-tech projects, supporting industries, finance and logistics, innovation, as well as cooperation in human resource training and the development of overseas labor markets. This direction aligns with the goal of shifting the growth model from extensive to intensive, promoting the province's progress in enhancing its position on the regional and national map.

Text and photos: Tung Lam

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chia-khoa-thu-hut-dau-tu-271766.htm