Enhancing our position in the global supply chain.

The global economy in 2026 continues to be volatile, coupled with the restructuring of supply chains and increasing trade barriers, creating urgent demands for localities. Integration should not only stop at opening markets but must be substantive, effective, and in-depth. For Thai Nguyen, an important industrial center in the northern midland and mountainous region, this is a favorable time to transform itself, elevating its position from a production destination to a higher-value link in the global supply chain.

With 13 industrial parks and 40 industrial clusters in the province, Thai Nguyen is currently one of the major industrial centers in the northern midland and mountainous region, and is also among the leading localities in the country in terms of export turnover. Photo: TL

Improving the quality of FDI flows.

Over the past period, the foreign direct investment (FDI) sector has continued to be an important growth driver for the province, especially in the processing and manufacturing industries.

In the first four months of 2026, the province's economic growth rate was quite high; total state budget revenue as of April 29 reached nearly 10,633 billion VND, equivalent to 39.4% of the central government's allocated budget; the industrial production index (IIP) increased by 18.52% compared to the same period.

Notably, Thai Nguyen province leads the country in attracting FDI, with a total newly registered and adjusted capital reaching US$6.06 billion. This includes many large-scale projects, such as: the Samsung Semiconductor project with a total capital of US$4.08 billion; the Samsung Electro-Mechanics Vietnam No. 2 project with a total capital of US$1.28 billion; and the artificial graphite cathode production project in Vietnam by Posco Future M Co., LTD, worth US$282 million.

In the first four months of 2026 alone, the amount of capital attracted was equivalent to more than 50% of the province's total FDI capital as of the end of 2025.

In the first four months of the year, Thai Nguyen province led the country in attracting FDI capital, with a total of $6.06 billion in newly attracted and adjusted capital. (Photo: Provided)

The FDI sector, with large corporations like Samsung Electronics, currently accounts for approximately 98% of export turnover, creating jobs for tens of thousands of workers and contributing to promoting economic restructuring.

Large FDI enterprises in the area maintain stable operations, gradually optimizing production, promoting digital transformation, and improving management efficiency. As a result, this sector continues to play a leading role, especially in the electronics industry, a key contributor to the province's industrial growth.

However, a major bottleneck remains the limited level of value chain integration, with domestic enterprises accounting for only about 2% of export turnover.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Tien Long, Head of the Department of Digital Economy, School of Economics and Business Administration (Thai Nguyen University), commented: The connection between FDI enterprises and enterprises in the province is still limited, resulting in a value chain that has not been clearly formed and a low spillover effect.

Therefore, to improve the quality of FDI flows, Thai Nguyen needs to focus on developing supporting industries and promoting genuine connections between domestic businesses and foreign investors.

Given this reality, the province is orienting itself towards selective FDI attraction, prioritizing high-tech, environmentally friendly projects with spillover effects. By 2026, the province aims to increase the number of domestic enterprises participating in FDI supply chains by 10-15% through technological support, human resource training, and the application of international standards such as ISO and IATF.

Simultaneously, the province will build a database of supporting industrial enterprises, directly connecting them with FDI enterprises on a digital platform. In addition, the province strives to have over 90% of administrative procedures related to businesses implemented online at level 4, thereby improving the investment environment, reducing costs, and enhancing competitiveness.

In the first three months of 2026, the total value of goods imported and exported in the province reached US$15.88 billion, an increase of 22% compared to the same period last year; the trade surplus of US$3.6 billion made Thai Nguyen the province with the largest trade surplus in the country. (In the photo: Deep processing of refined ore for export at Nui Phao Mineral Exploitation and Processing Company Limited. Photo: Provided)

Expanding export markets

While attracting FDI provides impetus for production development, expanding export markets is the driving force behind Thai Nguyen's output growth. With a system of 13 industrial parks and 40 industrial clusters, Thai Nguyen is currently one of the major industrial centers in the northern midland and mountainous region, and is among the leading localities nationwide in terms of export turnover.

In the first three months of 2026, the total value of goods exports and imports in the province reached US$15.88 billion, an increase of 22% compared to the same period last year. Of this, exports reached US$9.77 billion and imports reached US$6.11 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of approximately US$3.6 billion. Key export markets, such as the US, South Korea, and the EU, continued to maintain stable growth.

In addition, businesses in the province are gradually expanding into several Middle Eastern countries to diversify partners and reduce dependence on traditional markets. The export growth target of 8-10% in 2026 is not simply a quantitative target, but clearly reflects a qualitative shift.

Production of flooring for export at Huali Vietnam Group Co., Ltd. (Diem Thuy Industrial Park). Photo: Provided.

Ms. Le Thi Thu Thuy, Director of Human Resources and Administration at SanShan Optics (Vietnam) Co., Ltd., stated: "Our company currently exports products to many markets, such as the US, the Netherlands, Thailand, Italy, and is continuing to expand into markets with higher demands. To meet export needs, the company strictly adheres to international quality standards such as FSC, BSCI, and ISO 9001. Through this, the company not only maintains orders but also gradually increases the value of its products as it participates more deeply in the global market."

Regarding the steel industry, Mr. Chu Binh Khiem, Deputy Director of Dai Viet Steel Trading Joint Stock Company, said: In the first quarter of 2026, the company's steel production reached 42,670 tons, a significant increase compared to 33,253 tons in the same period last year. We also welcomed many international partner delegations, including partners from India, to explore and expand cooperation opportunities, contributing to boosting exports in the coming time.

In terms of product categories, the electronics group continued to dominate, with an estimated value of approximately $8.8 billion in the first quarter alone. In the agricultural sector, tea remained the main product, with a production volume of nearly 34,700 tons, an increase of about 5-6% compared to the same period last year.

However, the value of exported tea remains very low. This necessitates a strong shift towards deep processing, improving quality, and building brands. The goal for 2026 is to increase the proportion of deeply processed tea meeting high-end export standards to over 30%, while expanding markets to high-value regions.

Not only tea, but also OCOP products, supporting industries, and technical services are being actively promoted through cross-border e-commerce platforms, a trend that is becoming increasingly common in global trade.

Thai Nguyen tea has significant export potential, with key markets including China, Japan, Taiwan, Europe, and the United States.

Internal strength foundation for sustainable integration

Integration is not just about expanding markets, but at its core, it's about competitiveness and adaptability. For Thai Nguyen, the current requirement is to strengthen its internal capabilities to effectively seize opportunities while minimizing risks in the context of a volatile global economy.

The province's focus is on ensuring that 100% of officials working on integration receive in-depth training on free trade agreements (FTAs), negotiation skills, and trade defense. Simultaneously, the locality is promoting the enhancement of digital skills, foreign language proficiency, and industrial work ethics for the workforce in key export industries.

Furthermore, effectively leveraging FTAs ​​such as EVFTA and CPTPP continues to be identified as a crucial factor in helping Vietnamese goods maintain a competitive advantage in major markets like the EU and Japan.

Alongside strengthening internal capabilities, the province's international cooperation activities are gradually shifting from formal to in-depth. The hosting of foreign delegations, including the delegation from the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Vietnam, demonstrates a clear direction in connecting investment, technology, and markets.

Cooperation programs with partners from South Korea, Japan, and Australia, through investment promotion, training, and technology transfer, are contributing to market expansion and enhanced integration capabilities.

Processing Vi-Cumax Nano Curcumin turmeric starch products (with a purity of up to 95%) for export at Bac Ha Pharmaceutical Technology Joint Stock Company (Bac Kan ward).

From a long-term perspective, Thai Nguyen University is playing a crucial bridging role in knowledge integration through expanding international cooperation, academic exchange, and attracting foreign experts and students. This forms the foundation for improving the quality of human resources and disseminating advanced training and research standards.

However, the current international context also presents numerous challenges. Geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions, and rising input costs are directly impacting the production and export activities of businesses. Under these circumstances, the adaptability, self-reliance, and level of domestic linkages will determine the resilience of the economy.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Cuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said: In the second quarter of 2026, Thai Nguyen aims to maintain high growth momentum, with GRDP expected to increase by about 11.45%, while focusing on removing difficulties for businesses, promoting production and exports.

In the long term, the province aims for sustainable growth through enhanced market forecasting, administrative procedure reform, promotion of digital transformation, green production, and support for businesses to effectively utilize FTAs ​​to expand their markets.

Thai Nguyen is strongly shifting from extensive to intensive integration, with strengthening domestic capabilities as its foundation. As domestic enterprises participate more deeply in the supply chain, integration will not only expand but also become more sustainable, creating a basis for the province to assert its position in the global value chain.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202605/nang-vi-the-trong-chuoi-cung-ung-toan-cau-8e412e1/