The driving force to make Quang Ninh become the leading investment center in the North

(Dan Tri) - Quang Ninh is entering a breakthrough phase when three major driving forces converge: high-quality FDI capital continuously flows in, strategic infrastructure is completed from highways to seaports and airports, and the emergence of modern coastal complex urban areas.

These factors contribute to creating a new "runway" for the heritage region to take off, becoming the leading investment growth pole in the North.

For many years, Busan was considered Korea’s largest seaport, the country’s logistics and heavy industry hub. But the city’s position only really took off when a three-pillar strategy was implemented: investing heavily in connecting infrastructure, attracting international capital flows, and developing Haeundae into a prosperous and wealthy area of ​​Busan.

Haeundae is famous as the jewel of Busan city in Korea (Photo: Shutterstock).

The metro line connecting Gimhae Airport takes international visitors to the city center in less than 40 minutes, opening the way for international tourism and trade. FDI is marked by 81 projects with a total capital of 4.4 billion USD in the period 2010-2023, mainly in the service, technology and entertainment sectors - areas that bring high added value and contribute to restructuring the local economy .

Haeundae - which used to be crowded only in the summer, has become a resort - financial - entertainment center with apartment prices increasing by 57.4% in the period 2021-2024, the highest among the five major cities outside the capital (according to ChosunBiz). Tourism also demonstrates the transformation: in 2024 alone, Busan welcomed 2.93 million international visitors, an increase of 60% compared to 2023; in the first four months of 2025, the city continued to reach more than 1.06 million visitors, an increase of 24% over the same period.

The Busan story shows that a port city can become an international tourism and financial center when three factors of capital, infrastructure and complex urban areas resonate together. Looking at Quang Ninh today, it is easy to see a similar development trajectory taking shape.

High-quality FDI

Quang Ninh has made its mark on the world map thanks to Ha Long Bay - a magnificent natural heritage - but the province's image today does not stop at tourism, but is expanding to the role of a dynamic investment center of the North, a destination for high-tech and sustainable capital flows.

In the first 6 months of the year alone, Quang Ninh attracted 61,858 billion VND of total social investment capital, of which FDI capital reached 292 million USD. Typical projects include Foxconn investing 287 million USD in Bac Tien Phong Industrial Park, Lite-On deploying a 690 million USD factory, and a smart entertainment project in Song Khoai Industrial Park worth 263 million USD.

Quang Ninh is expanding its role as a dynamic investment center in the North (Photo: Anh Duong).

The remarkable point is not in the numbers, but in the quality: Quang Ninh does not follow the path of attracting capital at all costs, but steadfastly aims at high technology, clean energy and value-added services. This is the basis for capital flows to not only bring jobs but also help restructure the economy and upgrade local development standards.

Leading infrastructure

Along with capital flows, Quang Ninh's infrastructure is considered the "backbone" for all development plans. The province is currently one of the few localities in the North that owns both an expressway, an international seaport and an international airport. The Van Don - Mong Cai expressway connects with the Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh - Van Don expressway, forming a 176km long axis, demonstrating the aspirations and beliefs of the people of Quang Ninh.

The expressway axis has connected three growth driving regions: Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh. Van Don International Airport and Ha Long International Passenger Port are the doors connecting the sky and ocean of the heritage region with the world, invested synchronously by Sun Group, accompanied by modern, high-class landscape values.

Perspective of the high-end complex tourism service area in Van Don economic zone (Photo: Sun Group).

The high-end tourism complex in Van Don economic zone has a total area of ​​over 244 hectares with an investment capital of 2 billion USD, which was just approved in June, and is expected to become a big boost for high-end tourism and services, adding a new growth pole for the whole province.

A representative of the Vietnam Real Estate Brokers Association commented: "If Van Don is operated under a special economic zone model with full incentives, this will be one of the most attractive long-term investment markets in the North. But the important thing is to choose the right landing point - products linked to infrastructure, with the ability to be practically exploited and located in a proven ecosystem."

Large-scale complex urban area

According to many experts, if tourism creates demand and infrastructure opens supply, then complex urban areas are the piece that helps capital stay long-term. This is also a weakness that Quang Ninh has encountered: many visitors come but stay short, spending is not high. To overcome this, it is necessary to have complexes that meet both residential needs and exploit resorts and service businesses, operating all four seasons. In Quang Ninh, this piece is taking shape most clearly in Bai Chay.

Bai Chay - the tourist center of Ha Long - is witnessing the formation of a large-scale urban complex. These are not just individual real estate projects, but an integrated ecosystem where residents can live, relax, do business and experience 24/7 services. This model has proven effective in Singapore, Shanghai, Busan, and is now beginning to take shape clearly in Quang Ninh.

Perspective of Sun Elite City metropolis, Bai Chay, Quang Ninh (Photo: Sun Group).

Typical of this trend is Sun Elite City, a coastal resort - commercial - entertainment metropolis with a scale of 324 hectares right in the center of Bai Chay.

Planned according to the all-in-one model, Sun Elite City converges functional subdivisions and supporting utilities: Sun Centro Town high-rise apartment complex, Sun Grand City Feria resort villa area, shophouse - commercial street, 5-star Oakwood Ha Long resort, along with Sun World Ha Long amusement park, iconic works such as Sun Carnival square, Vui-Fest night market, experience fireworks lighting up the bay, international marina...

These are the pieces that not only supplement the service infrastructure for tourism, but also create a modern urban lifestyle, helping Bai Chay become a "sleepless paradise".

“Fireworks Bay” at Sun Elite City is bustling at night with brilliant fireworks and a night market (Photo: Anh Duong).

The difference of Sun Elite City lies in the fact that the project not only meets the need for long-term residence but also opens up opportunities for short-term accommodation and commercial and entertainment services. This directly solves the problem of Quang Ninh: many visitors but short stays, low spending. When there is a complex urban ecosystem, tourists have a reason to stay longer, spend more, while investors can earn a stable cash flow all year round instead of depending on the peak season.

Lessons from Busan show that when the three factors of capital, infrastructure and complex urban areas resonate together, the breakthrough will not only stop at tourism but will open up a long-term investment growth cycle. Quang Ninh is entering a development phase with many favorable conditions, opening up opportunities for investors.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/dong-luc-dua-quang-ninh-vuon-len-thanh-trung-tam-dau-tu-hang-dau-mien-bac-20250904094553147.htm