What is special about the Van Don and Co To Special Economic Zones?

TPO - Quang Ninh province has officially established two special administrative units: Van Don Special Economic Zone and Co To Special Economic Zone. This is not only a strategic step in administrative organization but also opens up expectations for new growth poles in the Northeast coastal region. So what is noteworthy about these two new special economic zones?

Having been the most talked-about name for almost a decade, Van Don has now been officially designated as a special administrative and economic zone. This is also the area that the Government selected to pilot the special economic zone model since 2017.

Van Don is also being developed into a logistics, high-tech, and financial hub in the northern region.

With Van Don International Airport, the Van Don - Mong Cai expressway, and Ao Tien seaport, the area boasts vital hubs serving international trade, tourism , and transportation.

Van Don is also being developed into a logistics, high-tech, and financial hub in the northern region. As of this year, Van Don has attracted over 60 trillion VND from private investors, particularly in the resort real estate and infrastructure sectors.

As an area previously chosen by the government to test the "special economic zone" model, it possesses many groundbreaking institutional and policy prerequisites.

Van Don's transportation system is a key advantage for this special economic zone to take off.

In addition to focusing on tourism, trade, and logistics development, Van Don is also planned to become a high-tech, financial, and innovative services center for the Northeast region.

Compared to Van Don, Co To has a distinct character: it is a small, purely coastal island district with great potential for maritime economy, biological resource exploitation, and resort tourism.

The sea area surrounding Co To Island covers more than 300 km², boasting a pristine natural environment rich in coral reef ecosystems and rare marine life. With its designation as a special economic zone, Co To is expected to attract investment in sustainable sectors such as deep-sea research, ecotourism, and offshore renewable energy.

A view of the Co To Special Economic Zone.

As one of the most remote island districts in Northern Vietnam, situated on an international shipping route, Co To has the potential to develop logistics, deep-water ports, and cruise tourism. Co To plays a crucial role in protecting national sovereignty over the sea and islands.

The small administrative structure (2 communes, 1 town) and relatively small population are favorable for testing smart governance models and high-quality public services.

The merger and streamlining of the administrative system within the province also creates conditions for more effective local management, while accelerating the reform and innovation of governance models in a specific direction.

While Van Don is a large-scale growth hub geared towards global integration, Co To is an attractive "low-lying area" for green, circular, small- and medium-scale development models.

Co To is expected to attract investment in sustainable development sectors.

Quang Ninh's bold move to establish two special economic zones demonstrates its determination to maximize the potential of its islands and seas, while also posing challenges regarding: managing the special zones in a flexible and transparent model; preserving resources and ecosystems; and curbing land speculation, uncontrolled development, and land price surges.

Quang Ninh's two new special economic zones are the culmination of strategic vision and concrete action. One is a large-scale maritime economic integration center (Van Don), and the other is a model of a smart and sustainable ecological island (Co To).

According to Mr. Pham Ngoc Thuc, an economic research expert in Quang Ninh: "Developing special economic zones should not only rely on preferential policies, but more importantly, on scientific planning, transparent governance, and partnership with strategic investors. Businesses will need the most favorable conditions in terms of mechanisms, procedures, and infrastructure, and it is crucial to protect the environment and bring long-term benefits to local people."

A representative from the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee office stated: "The official establishment of the Van Don and Co To special administrative and economic zones is a strategic step in Quang Ninh's goal of rapid and sustainable development. We believe this is not just a change in name or administrative boundaries, but more importantly, a change in development thinking, governance mechanisms, and investment attraction methods."

Hoang Duong

Source: https://tienphong.vn/dac-khu-van-don-co-to-co-gi-dac-biet-post1752422.tpo