Transform Hai Phong into a major FDI hub with the first free trade zone in Northern Vietnam.

On the morning of December 11th, at the Hai Phong City Convention and Performance Center, the Hai Phong City People's Committee, in coordination with the Economic Zone Management Board and the Foreign Investment Agency ( Ministry of Finance ), organized the conference " Hai Phong City Free Trade Zone (FTZ) - A Destination for a New Era," aiming to introduce the potential, advantages, and specific mechanisms and policies under Resolution 226/2025/QH15, especially the establishment of the free trade zone and the mechanisms and policies within the free trade zone.

Hai Phong City organized the conference "Hai Phong City Free Trade Zone (FTZ) - A Destination for the New Era".

Creating breakthroughs from the free trade zone model.

With the third largest economy in the country, Hai Phong has consistently maintained double-digit economic growth for 11 consecutive years, ranking among the top in the country. Its investment and business environment has continuously improved, making it a trusted destination for thousands of domestic and foreign investors.

Hai Phong continues to affirm its position as one of the leading localities nationwide in attracting FDI for many consecutive years and developing industrial infrastructure. Mr. Le Trung Kien, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong City People's Committee, affirmed: "Hai Phong always strives to create new growth drivers, breakthrough and superior economic models."

Mr. Le Trung Kien, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Phong City.

At the conference, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Foreign Investment Department (Ministry of Finance), emphasized that Hai Phong has a strategic position on the FDI map of Vietnam and the region. Hai Phong is currently among the top 3 localities nationwide in attracting FDI, with a cumulative total of over 50 billion USD from 50 countries and territories.

These impressive results demonstrate that Hai Phong has become a modern industrial and port center, playing a pivotal role in the development of supply chains in the northern region. Hai Phong is no longer just a locality attracting large and effective FDI, but is asserting its role as a leading engine of growth.

The Deputy Director of the Foreign Investment Department assessed that Resolution 226 is a "golden institutional framework" that will help Hai Phong achieve breakthroughs. Accordingly, the Ministry of Finance will coordinate with the city to continue perfecting the legal framework, mechanisms, and specific, breakthrough policies, especially in the fields of taxation, customs, finance, and international trade management.

With unprecedented incentives, the Hai Phong FTZ is not just a new model, but a strategic direction that helps enhance the role and position of Vietnam in general and Hai Phong in particular in the regional and global value chain.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Foreign Investment Department (Ministry of Finance), delivered a presentation at the conference.

The opinions expressed at the conference highlighted three important messages: Hai Phong needs to shift from "industrialization" to "internationalization of trade and logistics"; the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) must be linked to institutional reforms and the national trade infrastructure system; and the Hai Phong FTZ needs to play a leading role in the Northern coastal region and the Lang Son - Hanoi - Hai Phong economic corridor.

Three key requirements for FTZ development were emphasized: establishing green standards – international standards – and digital standards; ensuring clean energy and modern logistics; and strengthening cooperation in developing high-tech, electronics, and materials clusters linked to the port-logistics-supporting industry ecosystem.

The conference affirmed Hai Phong's determination to create a transparent investment environment, aiming to establish the first free trade zone in the North, while also demonstrating a strong shift from an administrative management mindset to a proactive, business-serving mindset.

Representatives from numerous international business associations, economic experts, infrastructure development units, and many large domestic and international businesses attended the conference.

Hai Phong businesses offer suggestions to attract FDI.

Contributing their opinions at the conference, a representative from Sao Do Group stated: Hai Phong is currently the leading industrial and port hub in the North, with approximately 1,700 active FDI projects and a total registered capital of 50 billion USD, attracting many large corporations such as LG, Pegatron, SK, GE, Bridgestone, and VinFast. By 2025, industrial parks and economic zones are expected to attract 3.8 billion USD in FDI, of which 77% will be in the processing, manufacturing, high-tech, and logistics sectors, demonstrating a focus on attracting investment in manufacturing industries linked to supply chains.

Hai Phong's import and export turnover reaches tens of billions of USD annually, largely driven by FDI projects. The city also boasts a system of modern industrial parks such as Nam Dinh Vu, Trang Due, DEEP C, VSIP, etc., creating an important foundation for the development of supporting industries.

A representative from Sao Do Group delivered a presentation at the conference.

Despite strong industrial growth in Hai Phong, the supporting industrial ecosystem has not developed proportionally, with low localization rates in many value chains due to the small scale of Vietnamese enterprises and the limited number of suppliers meeting the standards for large value chains. Domestic supporting industrial enterprises are still small, mainly fulfilling low-value orders and third- and fourth-tier parts, while the number of first- and second-tier suppliers meeting international standards remains very limited.

From a business perspective, Sao Do Group suggests that Hai Phong should add incentives for FDI projects with commitments to localization and R&D; and establish a supporting industry development fund to provide capital for technology upgrades for small and medium-sized enterprises.

A view of the Nam Dinh Vu industrial park, belonging to the Sao Do Group.

In addition, it is necessary to implement a program to upgrade supplier capacity, support businesses in obtaining ISO/IATF certification; build a digital platform to connect supply and demand, and organize an annual FDI - Hai Phong supplier forum.

Simultaneously, it is proposed to build a testing and training center for suppliers, and to encourage FDI corporations to open R&D centers in Hai Phong to enhance technology transfer. Monitoring indicators such as the localization rate, the number of enterprises achieving international certifications, and the number of FDI projects committed to localization need to be established to measure effectiveness.

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/dua-hai-phong-tro-thanh-cuc-hut-fdi-voi-khu-thuong-mai-tu-do-dau-tien-o-mien-bac-ar992350.html