Hai Phong breaks through, takes the lead in the industrialization and modernization of the whole country.

Hai Phong Cement Factory (documentary photo)

With an important strategic location on the East Sea coast, as a gateway to international trade, since the end of the 19th century, Hai Phong has received investment from French colonialists as a key economic center. However, the nature of this process does not lie in sustainable or independent development, but simply serves the colonial exploitation machine.

Before 1945, Hai Phong had a number of early industrial establishments, mainly revolving around the port area and the Hai Phong - Hanoi - Lang Son railway. The Hai Phong Cement Factory, established in 1899, was considered an industrial symbol of the time, but the technology, operations and profits were all in the hands of the French. The Vietnamese, mostly workers, were exploited, had no access to technology and had absolutely no control over the production line.

The industries at this stage mainly included: agricultural processing, ship repair, milling, and some small mechanical facilities serving vehicle maintenance and goods storage. There were no concentrated industrial zones, nor specialized training, Hai Phong at that time was like a "logistics port" of the colonial government, not a development center in the true sense.

The August Revolution of 1945 not only regained independence for the nation, but also severed the chains that “bound” the development of Hai Phong. During the years of resistance war and then peace construction, cement, mechanical, and shipbuilding factories in Hai Phong were built and operated by the hands and intelligence of the Vietnamese people.

However, the real transformation only came when the 1986 wave of innovation "blew" the first market "winds" into the Vietnamese economy. In that wave, Hai Phong was one of the leading localities, quickly opening up, attracting investment, and shaping the growth model. Nomura Industrial Park - established in the early 1990s is a pioneering mark. With an open-door policy, attracting foreign direct investment, the city quickly seized the opportunity to shift the industrial structure towards modernity, sustainability and high added value.

Nomura Industrial Park - established in the early 1990s is a pioneer

The first 20 years of the 21st century (2001-2020) were a period of strong and breakthrough transformation in Hai Phong, with many outstanding marks. Hai Phong continuously maintained an impressive industrial growth rate, becoming one of the "locomotives" of economic development.

Especially in the period of 2015 - 2025, the city's GRDP growth rate has always been maintained at double digits. Industry has developed strongly in the direction of high-tech, modern, and environmentally friendly industry. Industry also plays a key role in the city's economy, affirming its position as a large, highly competitive industrial center of the country. The breakthrough of Hai Phong's industry is demonstrated through convincing figures, especially in recent years, the city's industry has made remarkable progress in terms of scale, structure, and quality.

Speaking at the Hai Phong City Investment Promotion Conference 2025 held on the afternoon of July 15, Comrade Le Ngoc Chau, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the City People's Committee emphasized: "Hai Phong is the only locality with a double-digit growth rate for 10 consecutive years. Hai Phong has always been the leading attractive investment destination in the region with more than 1,900 FDI projects from 44 countries and territories with a total registered capital of more than 48 billion USD, accounting for nearly 10% of the total accumulated FDI capital nationwide. In addition, domestic investors have also made worthy contributions with the presence of important projects from big brands, such as: VinGroup, SunGroup, Kinh Bac, Hoa Phat, Geleximco... with the capital of approved investment projects in the first 6 months of 2025 alone reaching more than 200,000 billion VND".

As of early August 2025, Hai Phong city has a total of 42 industrial parks with a total area of over 11,000 hectares. In addition, the city has 79 industrial clusters with a total area of over 3,800 hectares. A series of "eagles" with advanced technology have chosen Hai Phong to "nest", focusing on high value-added sectors such as electricity, electronics, manufacturing, supporting industries, high-tech products, etc.

Many products manufactured in Hai Phong are now deeply involved in the global value chain, not only serving the domestic market but also exporting to Europe, the US, Japan and other demanding markets. From a heavy industrial center, Hai Phong is transforming into a smart industrial center. Impressive figures on investment, growth and economic restructuring do not come by chance. They are the result of a systematic, synchronous and long-term industrial development strategy.

Hai Phong today is not only a major industrial center but also a model of dynamic, modern and sustainable development. From a past of being held back by colonial "status", the city has risen to become a top destination for strategic investors worldwide.

HUYEN TRANG

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/hai-phong-but-pha-di-dau-trong-su-nghiep-cong-nghiep-hoa-hien-dai-hoa-cua-ca-nuoc-518963.html