Da Nang develops key economic sectors: New driving forces.

In an effort to transform itself to attract investors, Da Nang is focusing on accelerating the progress of strategic projects, as well as developing new urban spaces.

A view of the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone. Photo: MAI QUẾ

Accelerate progress on key pillars.

In January 2026, the office of the Vietnam International Financial Center Executive Agency in Da Nang City welcomed and worked with many delegations of partners and investors from various countries who expressed interest in the financial center.

Mr. Dang Dinh Duc, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam International Finance Center's Executive Office in Da Nang, stated that the unit has developed and officially launched an integrated one-stop electronic portal, established a licensing process for the establishment and operation of banks, and issued temporary guidance decisions to support investors in the registration, membership recognition, and licensing process at the Vietnam International Finance Center in Da Nang.

These are significant initial steps that lay the foundation for the stable and transparent operation of the center in the future.

“Recently, the Da Nang City People's Committee sent a document to the Ministry of Finance regarding the implementation of a development strategy for the Vietnam International Finance Center in Da Nang. The goal is that by 2030, the Vietnam International Finance Center in Da Nang will achieve stable operation with over 100 registered and accredited members; achieve partial financial autonomy for recurrent expenditures; launch three sandbox pilot programs; issue its first green bonds; and establish formal cooperation relationships with at least five other international finance centers worldwide. Specific targets will be flexibly adjusted depending on the actual implementation situation, while adhering to the overall goals and vision,” Mr. Duc said.

Alongside the financial center, the Da Nang Free Trade Zone is currently undergoing detailed planning, land clearance, and infrastructure investment preparation.

According to the Da Nang High-Tech Park and Industrial Zones Management Board (the administrative unit managing the Free Trade Zone), the city has proactively promoted and signed seven memoranda of understanding with major corporations to research investment in key locations: location 1, 100 hectares; location 2, 77 hectares; location 3, 500 hectares; location 4, 559 hectares; location 5, 90 hectares; location 6, 154 hectares; and location 7, 401 hectares.

Of these, location number 5 commenced construction in Q4/2025 with a total investment of 808 billion VND and a project duration of 70 years. The project is expected to be operational in Q4/2027, with the aim of developing a high-end commercial, service, and resort complex connected to Ba Na Hills.

Mr. Vu Quang Hung, Head of the Management Board of Da Nang High-Tech Park and Industrial Zones, said that the way locations are organized helps investors choose the right space, the right function, and the right value chain. To date, the free trade zone has moved from the preparation phase to actual implementation, with specific progress milestones.

During the period 2025-2027, the city prioritizes completing the infrastructure for 7 planned free trade zones, specifically: location number 2 has completed the steps for preparing the investment approval report; locations number 3 and 4 are in the process of completing investment procedures and are planned to be launched before September 2026.

Simultaneously, the city is developing the Lien Chieu port, the western ring road, and regional connecting transportation routes to enhance its logistics capacity.

The vision for 2030 is to develop the Da Nang Free Trade Zone into a smart, modern, and integrated area, encompassing: seaport and international airport transportation infrastructure, the North-South expressway, and railways; technical infrastructure; an integrated logistics center with multimodal logistics; and digital infrastructure.

The Lien Chieu Port project is progressing rapidly. Photo: THANH LAN

A modern, multi-functional city.

According to the city's Department of Construction, Da Nang's development orientation is established with the vision of becoming a national and regional growth hub, strongly shifting from a tourist city to a modern, multi-functional city, focusing on three core pillars: high technology, logistics, and international finance.

Da Nang strives to become a leading livable, safe, and modern city in Asia, maintaining its position as "Asia's leading destination for events and festivals," and serving as a gateway to exploring world heritage sites in Central Vietnam such as Hue, Hoi An, and My Son.

According to Nguyen Ha Nam, Director of the Department of Construction, Da Nang will implement a strategy to connect and develop the eastern region and spread development westward with key projects.

Specifically, the high-speed urban rail (MRT & LRT) project connects key points including the Da Nang Airport - Hoi An Ancient Town line; the Da Nang - Hoi An line, over 31km long; and the Hoi An - Chu Lai Airport line, 70km long, with an estimated cost of 111,600 billion VND.

The international airport project includes upgrading Da Nang airport to meet a capacity of 30 million passengers per year by 2050; and Chu Lai airport, envisioned as an "airport city" (Aerotropolis), integrating logistics, industry, commerce, and a free trade zone.

Regarding seaports, Da Nang port will be developed into a special seaport (Type IA) with 3 main terminal areas: Tien Sa, Tho Quang, and Lien Chieu, while the Chu Lai port cluster will be planned as a Type I port.

Regarding telecommunications infrastructure and international connectivity, the city is upgrading the Hoa Hai submarine fiber optic cable station and investing in a second station (connecting to the ALC cable line), expected to be operational in Q2/2026, with the goal of expanding international connectivity capacity to 40% of Vietnam's total capacity.

Simultaneously, the city is developing dynamic economic zones. Specifically, the new urban area south of Hoi An is forming large-scale urban-service-resort complexes (Binh Minh, Duy Hai, Duy Nghia) covering thousands of hectares.

The Chu Lai Open Economic Zone plays a key role as an international transportation hub and a gateway connecting the Central Highlands, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand to the East Sea.

The Nam Giang border economic zone has become an important gateway connecting with Southern Laos and Northeastern Thailand, focusing on industrial development linked to border trade services.

"Da Nang is not only viewing its urban space within its administrative boundaries, but is positioning itself as a national growth pole, a gateway connecting the East-West economic corridor and major financial centers in the Asia-Pacific region. The ultimate goal of Da Nang's urban planning is to create a valuable living space, a transparent investment environment, where infrastructure is one step ahead to pave the way for large capital flows, enabling Da Nang to achieve its planned goals by 2045," Mr. Nam said.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/da-nang-phat-trien-cac-mui-nhon-kinh-te-nhung-dong-luc-moi-3321269.html