Nortalic cooking oil and oil-derived products factory in the KKTNS.
Industrial "locomotives"
According to the Management Board of the Nghi Son Economic Zone and Industrial Parks of Thanh Hoa province, the Nghi Son Economic Zone currently has 311 domestic investment projects with a total registered capital of VND 170,366 billion and implemented capital of VND 78,270 billion; and 25 foreign investment projects with a total registered capital of over USD 12.8 billion and implemented capital of over USD 12.7 billion. Many large-scale projects are operating stably and playing a key role in driving growth, such as: Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, Nghi Son Thermal Power Plants 1 and 2, Nghi Son Cement Plant, mechanical factories, construction materials factories, edible oil factories, etc. The industrial ecosystem in the Nghi Son Economic Zone is gradually taking shape, creating an important transformation for the South Thanh Hoa - North Nghe An region.
Notably, the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex stands out. Having commenced commercial operation in 2018, the plant's output is experiencing stable growth, and its product portfolio is becoming increasingly diversified despite the adverse impact of fluctuating crude oil prices. By 2025, the plant's revenue is estimated to exceed 181,000 billion VND, contributing approximately 23,000 billion VND to the state budget, continuing to be a "pillar" in the province's revenue.
In the energy sector, after more than 10 years of operation, Nghi Son 1 Thermal Power Plant has supplied over 35 billion kWh of electricity to the system, making a significant contribution to ensuring national energy security. Beyond increasing production, it is also one of the leading enterprises in the digital transformation of power plants, boldly applying artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor equipment, exploiting big data to analyze consumption trends, integrating ERP management systems, and using cloud computing for centralized data storage and analysis.
Mr. Vo Manh Ha, Director of Nghi Son Thermal Power Plant, shared: “We consider digital transformation as a tool to create breakthroughs in management and operation, aiming towards a comprehensive digital enterprise model. This is the inevitable path to improve productivity, ensure safety, save costs, and increase competitiveness in the new context.”
The key projects in the Thanh Hoa Economic Zone have affirmed their crucial role in shaping the role of the zone and industrial parks, with industrial, commercial, and service production value reaching VND 1,229,121 billion in the 2021-2025 period; export value exceeding USD 18 billion; state budget revenue of VND 125,789 billion; and total social investment reaching VND 162,378 billion. Many projects in the Thanh Hoa Economic Zone have been and are affirming their symbolic role in Thanh Hoa's strong transformation on the national economic map.
Joining forces for a new goal.
During the 2020-2025 period, Thanh Hoa province strongly prioritized investment in the construction of socio-technical infrastructure in the Nghi Son Economic Zone and industrial parks. The Management Board of the Nghi Son Economic Zone and industrial parks was allocated 2,023 billion VND in public investment capital, with a disbursement rate reaching 100% of the plan. As a result, 31 ongoing projects and 5 new projects were implemented, bringing the total number of completed and operational projects to 60, contributing to the completion of key transportation routes connecting seaports, industrial parks, and residential areas.
The management of natural resources and the environment, land allocation and leasing, and extensions of land use deadlines have been strictly implemented. Violations of environmental protection laws have been controlled, promptly addressed, and rectified; land clearance work has been decisively directed. As a result, land for 16 projects using state budget funds and 185 projects with direct investment has been handed over basically on schedule, creating favorable conditions for investors to implement their projects.
Administrative procedure reform is also considered a direct "boost". Currently, out of 67 procedures under the jurisdiction of the Management Board of the Southern Economic Zone and Industrial Parks, 65 are now available as online public services; many procedures have seen a 30-50% reduction in processing time compared to regulations. In addition to shortening processes, the board has also developed a service-oriented administrative model operating according to the criteria of "4 increases, 2 decreases, and 3 no's," thereby significantly improving investor satisfaction.
Mr. Tran Chi Thanh, Deputy Head of the Management Board of the Nghi Son Economic Zone and Industrial Parks, said: "To create the most favorable conditions for investors, we are focusing on administrative reform while strengthening dialogue and resolving difficulties for each specific project, with the spirit of accompanying businesses and considering the success of businesses as the success of the locality."
In addition to the preferential policies stipulated by law for investment in the Nghi Son Economic Zone, Thanh Hoa province has also issued policies in various fields, creating a competitive and vibrant investment environment. A prime example is Resolution No. 248/2022/NQ-HĐND dated July 13, 2022, on policies supporting international and domestic maritime transport; and supporting businesses transporting goods by container through Nghi Son Port (Resolution 248-HĐND of the Provincial People's Council). This is considered a "soft leverage" but has a very strong impact in attracting goods through Nghi Son Port, reducing logistics costs, and increasing the competitiveness of businesses.
Thanks to this timely mechanism, in addition to maintaining international container routes, Nghi Son Port has attracted more domestic container shipping routes. At the end of July 2025, MacStar Group Joint Stock Company also launched the Hai Phong - Nghi Son coastal container shipping route. Connecting with Hai Phong Port - one of the major seaports with high cargo volume - has significantly expanded the market space, creating conditions for Nghi Son to attract more import and export goods.
Mr. Tran Tien Dung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of MacStar Group and Vice President of the Vietnam Logistics Services Business Association, assessed: “Thanh Hoa is one of the pioneering localities in researching and issuing policies to support shipping lines and businesses operating logistics services through Nghi Son Port. These mechanisms have created a great impetus for shipping lines, notably CMA-CGM Group, to boldly open routes and maintain international container services to Nghi Son from 2019 to the present, and to commit to maintaining regular voyage frequencies. The policy has also been and continues to receive attention from new shipping lines.”
According to the development plan, the Nghi Son Economic Zone is envisioned to become a key coastal urban, industrial, and service center of the country, with leading industrial organizations such as: oil refining and petrochemicals, thermal power, steel smelting and rolling, cement, and export processing... linked to the efficient exploitation of Nghi Son seaport. The formation of industrial projects associated with seaport centers, commercial services, logistics, and modern urban areas will create momentum to boost economic growth in Thanh Hoa province, the region, and the entire country.
Text and photos: Minh Hang
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nguon-luc-dua-khu-kinh-te-nghi-son-dot-pha-271384.htm
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