Da Nang's key and dynamic projects: Breakthrough momentum in the new era - Final episode: Turning aspirations into reality

In the new context, when Da Nang has expanded its development space after merging with Quang Nam, and at the same time been granted special mechanisms and become the focal point of many national projects, key projects are no longer a choice but a development imperative.

Enterprises participate in introducing science and technology, fintech, and blockchain projects at the Da Nang Finance and Technology Week 2025. Photo: VAN HOANG

The requirements for Da Nang ’s key projects today are not only “fast and beautiful construction”, but also smart construction, transparent management, harmonious development and social trust. Only then can Da Nang turn opportunities into advantages, turn resolutions into actions, and turn projects into real driving forces for the city’s rise.

Technology - Institution - Integration Symbol

Da Nang is entering a new phase with a series of key projects that are meaningful not only for the city, but also for the Central region and the country. In the context of Resolution No. 57, which sets science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as the driving force, each project is no longer simply infrastructure, but must become a symbol of technology - institutions - integration.

Da Nang Hi-Tech Park is a convergence of R&D and production of core technologies such as semiconductors, AI, robots, and new energy. It is also a center of innovation, connecting institutes, schools, and businesses, contributing to making the Central region a technology growth pole.

The concentrated IT park and the urban/regional data center are the “data lungs” of the new city. Here, all data streams of the city - from traffic, health, education to environment - will be integrated, analyzed and exploited; creating the foundation for Da Nang to become the “data capital” of the Central region, building digital government, digital economy , digital society.

The free trade zone - Da Nang's most unique institutional project - is a place for tariff exemptions and is also an institutional sandbox. At the same time, it is a place to test digital customs policies, blockchain logistics, cross-border e-commerce, and green finance. If the free trade zone operates well, it will make Da Nang an international trade gateway, connecting the global flow of goods, services, and data.

The Da Nang International Financial Center is the city’s “integration brain”. Not just a cluster of buildings, it must be a space for testing financial technology sandboxes: digital banking, blockchain, AI in risk management, cross-border digital assets. The success of this center will position Da Nang as Vietnam’s “miniature Singapore” – a new destination for capital, high-quality human resources and financial innovation.

Lien Chieu Port is the gateway to international logistics. By applying blockchain to manage containers, IoT to track operations, and big data to optimize the supply chain, this port will not only reduce the load on Tien Sa, but also elevate Da Nang to become a smart logistics center in the region.

Da Nang International Airport with Terminal T3 and the aviation logistics area will transform into a smart airport: managing passengers with AI, optimizing flights with big data, and personalizing services. This is the smart aviation gateway of the Central region.

The North-South high-speed railway passing through Da Nang is a project of national significance. The application of high technology and artificial intelligence (AI) throughout the entire project life cycle will turn this place into a model for digital infrastructure management, while affirming Da Nang as a strategic transit hub of the country.

Finally, the Da Nang Sea Reclamation Urban Area will open up a completely new development space. The urban area will be a place to test the green - smart - sustainable urban model, applying anti-erosion technology, renewable energy, green transportation, open data. If properly deployed, the sea reclamation urban area will become a new spatial symbol, affirming the creative capacity and long-term vision of Da Nang.

The foundation of a livable coastal urban area

If Lien Chieu port, airport, high-speed railway or high-tech park are considered as "operating machines", then Free Trade Zone, International Financial Center and Sea-encroaching Urban Area are the "wings" that help Da Nang make a breakthrough.

Da Nang City focuses on implementing solutions to improve the quality of management, thereby improving the PCI and PGI indexes. In the photo: Production activities at Universal Alloy Corporation Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Da Nang High-Tech Park. Photo: M.QUE

For the Free Trade Zone, it is necessary to build it as an institutional sandbox, not just a preferential tariff area; test policies on cross-border e-commerce, blockchain logistics, and one-stop digital customs; allow international corporations to deploy new solutions in controlling the flow of goods, services, and data; link free trade with Lien Chieu port and airport infrastructure to form a "smart logistics corridor".

The international financial center must become a national fintech sandbox: testing digital banking, digital insurance, digital assets, blockchain in transactions. At the same time, connect directly with global financial institutions (ADB, WB, international investment funds); attract financial and technological talents, build an "innovation visa" mechanism to make it easy for experts to come and work. On the other hand, apply AI and big data in risk management, anti-money laundering, and ensure digital financial security.

Regarding the sea-encroached urban area, the planning is like a “new generation urban laboratory”: green, smart, sustainable development; applying BIM, GIS, DIGITAL TWIN, AI right from the design to operation stage. Testing the Metacity model (a city operated by open data, renewable energy, green transportation). Connecting the sea-encroached urban area with the existing center, Hoi An, My Son, Cu Lao Cham to create a chain of heritage - ecology - modern urban areas.

Each key project of Da Nang in the new period is not only a technical infrastructure, but also a political, economic and technological symbol; it becomes a "mirror" reflecting leadership and management capacity, and at the same time, it is also a place to entrust the aspirations and beliefs of the people.

In that picture, 3 breakthrough projects: Free Trade Zone, International Financial Center, and Sea-encroached Urban Area - emerged as 3 new symbols. If the Free Trade Zone is an institutional symbol, the International Financial Center is an integration symbol, then the Sea-encroached Urban Area is a spatial symbol. When these 3 symbols operate synchronously with the dynamic infrastructure system, Da Nang will have enough foundation to become a livable, classy coastal city of Asia - Pacific.

Breakthrough solutions

In the new context, Da Nang needs breakthrough solutions in many aspects.

A corner of Da Nang High-Tech Park from above.

In terms of institutions, Da Nang must make full use of the special mechanism from Resolution No. 136 of the National Assembly on the organization of urban government and pilot a number of special mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang city, turning the city into an institutional sandbox of the whole country. All key projects must be implemented with streamlined procedures, transparent processes and flexible PPP models, sharing risks fairly. Special institutions are not only to request additional mechanisms, but also to test and demonstrate the ability to operate new models.

Digital breakthroughs are a vital requirement. All key projects must apply smart, modern, environmentally friendly materials, structures, and technologies. Project management is no longer on paper, but on real-time dashboards. Technology must be considered a tool for monitoring, transparency, and quality improvement, not just an “add-on”.

Regarding the organization and human resources, the project management board must be professional, operate according to KPIs, and assign responsibilities to each stage. The management team must be trained in digital technology and understand how to use data to make decisions. Leadership thinking must also change from "administrative management" to "development coordination".

Regarding project management, Da Nang needs to apply the stage-gate mechanism: each stage - from planning, design, construction, operation - must go through an independent quality "control gate". At the same time, the results must be publicly announced on a digital platform for people, businesses and monitoring agencies to monitor. When progress, costs and quality are all measured transparently, the project will build trust.

Key projects must be “known, discussed, inspected, and enjoyed by the people” in the true sense. Planning needs to be visualized in 3D and XR so that people can clearly visualize it. Resettlement must be better or equal to the old place of residence. When people trust and cooperate, all new projects can be implemented smoothly. This is a breakthrough in social consensus.

To make a breakthrough in international connectivity and integration, Da Nang needs to learn from modern, effective international models to apply advanced technology and management. At the same time, proactively attract financial institutions, investment funds and global technology corporations to set foot in the city.

If we know how to take advantage of opportunities, turn challenges into motivation, and place key projects in the institutional - technological - integration orbit, Da Nang will not only have new infrastructure, but also a new future: a smart, sustainable, livable and pioneering city of Vietnam in the digital age.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/cong-trinh-dong-luc-trong-diem-cua-da-nang-dong-luc-but-pha-trong-ky-nguyen-moi-ky-cuoi-bien-khat-vong-thanh-hien-thuc-3303227.html