The driving force behind Van Don's take-off.

As one of the 13 special economic zones nationwide, Van Don Special Economic Zone aspires to become a national maritime economic "lighthouse," reaching regional prominence. Seizing this new opportunity, Van Don International Airport has proactively collaborated with major companies and corporations in the tourism and service sectors. Simultaneously, it is developing new flight routes and maximizing the efficiency of its already invested infrastructure.

Van Don International Airport and Crystal Holidays Holdings JSC (part of Everland Group) signed a strategic cooperation agreement.

To enhance infrastructure and attract tourists to Van Don, Van Don International Airport recently signed a cooperation agreement with Crystal Holidays Holdings JSC, a company that owns a smart tourism ecosystem with a comprehensive service platform including a closed-loop chain of services from travel, transportation, accommodation to tourism amenities. This is considered an important "lever" to strongly promote the development of the tourism and service industry in the Van Don Special Economic Zone in the future.

Through this collaboration, both sides will jointly develop integrated tourism and aviation packages, organize international commercial and charter flights linked to accommodation, exploration , and entertainment services in the Van Don Special Economic Zone and Bai Tu Long Bay; and build a comprehensive experiential journey from "air - sea - land" for tourists. Both sides will coordinate the implementation of joint marketing and promotional campaigns, and various promotional and demand-stimulating programs.

Mr. Hoang Van Dung, Director of Van Don International Airport, said: "In the coming time, the unit will continue to improve service quality, renovate and upgrade infrastructure to meet the requirements of partners; share flight costs with partners to bring the best prices to customers. In addition, the unit is actively developing new services to optimize infrastructure at the airport. Currently, Van Don International Airport is the only unit operating a helipad in Vietnam, ready to welcome private flights to Van Don."

Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don, the first large-scale resort complex in the Van Don Special Economic Zone, is preparing to launch its first phase of operations from Q3/2025. (Photo: Everland)

Previously, Sun PhuQuoc Airways had planned to establish its main operational center at Van Don International Airport. This provides a favorable condition to effectively utilize the invested infrastructure, opening up opportunities for developing the aircraft fleet and new routes to and from Van Don International Airport. It is expected that Van Don International Airport will operate charter flights to South Korea, China, and Japan, and reconnect domestic routes to Da Nang and Phu Quoc.

Currently, Van Don International Airport operates the Van Don - Ho Chi Minh City route with two airlines: Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air. Since the beginning of the year, the airport has handled nearly 400 takeoffs and landings, with a total of over 50,000 passengers. In its operational plan, Sun PhuQuoc Airways expects to begin selling tickets at the end of October this year.

Van Don is facing new opportunities as it becomes a special economic zone under Quang Ninh province. Along with its synchronized transportation infrastructure, from highways to seaports and an international airport, Van Don has received a strong wave of investment with over 60 non-budgetary projects, totaling approximately 63,000 billion VND in registered capital. Notably, at the end of June, the Prime Minister issued document No. 1395/QD-TTg approving the investment in a high-end complex tourism and service area in Van Don with a minimum investment of 2 billion USD. These projects not only bring a new, more modern and integrated look to Van Don, but also strengthen its advantages to become a leading economic zone in the Northern region.

Mr. Dao Van Vu, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Van Don Special Economic Zone, shared: Van Don possesses many potentials for economic development. To promote and attract investment from large enterprises and corporations, the locality is striving to build socio-economic development plans linked to the local potential and opportunities; continuing to improve the legal framework and further strengthen administrative reforms to create a transparent, stable, and open business environment. The locality is ready to accompany investors, proactively resolving difficulties and obstacles so that projects can be implemented on schedule and in accordance with the law.

Strategic linkages, cooperation, and investment attraction in Van Don are becoming increasingly strong, contributing to the vibrancy of trade and service activities, thereby positively contributing to the local economic growth. At the same time, this is gradually transforming the Van Don Special Economic Zone into a modern, multi-sector economic zone, integrating various fields, serving as a modern air gateway, and attracting domestic and international tourists to Van Don.

Hoang Quynh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/dong-luc-dua-van-don-cat-canh-3367523.html