Free Trade Zone: Growth Driver of Quang Tri Province - Part 2: Opportunity for Vietnam to Breakthrough

QTO - In Vietnam, the free trade zone (FTA) model has been mentioned in many studies and policy consultations, but only recently, when the integration process faces new opportunities, many localities have proactively researched and proposed pilot projects. Implementing the direction of General Secretary To Lam at the working session with the Central Policy and Strategy Committee on February 24, 2025, the Prime Minister directed the construction of FTAs ​​in a number of key economic localities, studying the "duty-free port" model to turn Vietnam into a major logistics center (Official Dispatch No. 47/CD-TTg, dated April 22, 2025). Currently, many provinces and cities across the country are urgently researching and developing projects to establish FTAs, with the expectation that this will be a breakthrough solution to achieve the target of high economic growth.

>>> Lesson 1: Economic growth drivers of many countries

Da Nang Port, an important trade hub for the Central Highlands provinces and the East-West economic corridor through Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar - Photo: NHANDAN.VN

Da Nang - pioneer free trade zone

On June 26, 2024, the National Assembly passed Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 on the organization of urban government and piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang City, including Article 13 "Establishment of Da Nang Economic Zone" with unprecedented preferential mechanisms and policies.

Then, on June 13, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1142/QD-TTg to establish Da Nang Free Trade Zone - a historical milestone when Vietnam officially had a Free Trade Zone for the first time. The free trade zone is about 1,881 hectares wide, located in many locations, including functional areas: Production, logistics, trade-services, digital technology industry, information technology, innovation and other types according to the law.

The goal is to build Da Nang Economic Zone into an important link in the global supply chain network and the Asia-Pacific region; a production center, an international freight transit hub connected to Lien Chieu port, Da Nang international airport and the East-West economic corridor; contributing to promoting the development of high-tech industry, innovation and digital transformation, actively contributing to the economic restructuring process of the new Da Nang city after merging with Quang Nam province towards sustainability and deep integration.

Hai Phong Free Trade Zone - Breakthrough with many special mechanisms

On June 27, 2025, the National Assembly continued to pass a Resolution on piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Hai Phong City, which allows the establishment of a special economic zone with many outstanding special mechanisms. The People's Committee of Hai Phong City has the right to establish and adjust the boundaries of the special economic zone, associated with the Dinh Vu-Cat Hai Economic Zone (EZ) and the Southern coastal economic zone.

Compared to Da Nang, the National Assembly's resolution allows Hai Phong City to apply many new pilot policies, such as: Applying special investment procedures, foreign investors are allowed to apply investment procedures and processes like domestic investors; exempting specialized inspections for goods that have been certified as conforming to standards and regulations, recognized under international treaties to which Vietnam is a member; exempting visas and granting 10-year temporary residence cards to foreigners and their family members working at enterprises headquartered in the EZ; being allocated land, leasing land without auction or bidding for investment projects in the EZ.

Investment projects in the EZ are exempted from land rent, are subject to a 10% corporate income tax rate, and are subject to a 50% reduction in personal income tax. Foreign investors are allowed to conduct transit business; foreign bank branches are allowed to open transaction offices in the EZ; production and business enterprises in the EZ are allowed to pay each other in foreign currency...

According to many experts, with the outstanding incentives that the National Assembly and the Government allow to pilot, higher than the current preferential policies applied in industrial parks, economic zones, and special economic zones, it will be a special attraction for domestic and foreign enterprises to invest in production and business.

New direction of many localities

From the direction of General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the recently issued resolutions of the National Assembly, KTTMTD is a "new wind" spreading strongly in many localities.

Ho Chi Minh City is studying and developing a project to establish 4 free economic zones associated with seaports, railways, and border gates in the Cai Mep-Thi Vai-Can Gio, An Binh, and Bau Bang port clusters, with an area of ​​over 5,000 hectares. Dong Nai province is also urgently developing a free economic zone project associated with Long Thanh international airport and Phuoc An seaport. In mid-July 2025, the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province held a thematic meeting to discuss the plan to build Vung Ang free economic zone, with the expectation of turning this area into an international logistics center, serving the entire Indochina market. And recently, on August 12, 2025, at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc, Hung Yen province said that the locality is directing departments, branches, and consulting units to study and develop a project to establish Hung Yen free economic zone on the basis of Thai Binh economic zone (old).

Dai Nam Lake

>>> Article 3: Quang Tri has the opportunity of "heavenly time and favorable location"

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202508/khu-thuong-mai-tu-do-dong-luc-tang-truong-cua-tinh-quang-tri-bai-2-co-hoi-de-viet-nam-but-pha-7d01a45/