Outstanding policies
With its potential, natural advantages, and solid infrastructure, Hai Phong City has always received attention and favorable conditions from the central government for breakthrough development. In particular, on June 27, 2025, the National Assembly issued Resolution No. 226/2024/QH15 on special mechanisms and policies for the development of Hai Phong, which allows the city to establish and implement a Trade and Investment Zone.
Based on that, on October 13, 2025, the People's Committee of Hai Phong City issued Decision No. 4068 on the establishment of the Hai Phong Trade and Investment Zone with a scale of approximately 6,292 hectares at 3 strategic locations, not adjacent to, but connected to the two key economic zones (EZs): the Dinh Vu - Cat Hai Economic Zone and the Southern Hai Phong Coastal Economic Zone. Specifically, Location 1 has an area of approximately 2,923 hectares located within the Southern Hai Phong Coastal Economic Zone; Location 2 has an area of approximately 1,077 hectares located within the Dinh Vu - Cat Hai Economic Zone (Dong Hai Ward); Location 3 has an area of approximately 2,292 hectares located within the Dinh Vu - Cat Hai Economic Zone (Cat Hai Special Economic Zone). The Trade and Investment Zone will include a production area, a port and port logistics area, a logistics center, a trade and service area, and other types of functional zones.
Businesses investing in the Hai Phong Trade and Investment Zone enjoy 17 preferential mechanisms and policies stipulated in Resolution No. 226. These include: foreign investors benefiting from special and superior preferential tariff and domestic tax policies; a "one-stop" mechanism and exemption from specialized inspections for goods certified as conforming to international or regional standards; visa exemption and 10-year temporary residence permits for foreign experts, scientists , talented individuals, managers, highly skilled workers, and their family members working at businesses headquartered within the Trade and Investment Zone; preferential corporate income tax rates; and simplified investment and administrative procedures.
According to Le Trung Kien, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong City People's Committee, this is the first Free Trade Zone model in Northern Vietnam, built on successful global experiences combined with the practical realities and unique advantages of Hai Phong. The establishment of the Free Trade Zone opens the door for Hai Phong to enter a new era of development – an era of free trade, deep integration, and cutting-edge technology. This is not just a new name, but a new management mindset. The Free Trade Zone will create a favorable legal framework for the smoothest possible flow of goods, helping businesses solve the challenges of global supply chains.
“Instead of relying solely on tax incentives, Hai Phong City is committed to creating an investment environment with streamlined administrative procedures, ensuring investors' rights are protected by superior policies approved by the National Assembly and the City People's Council. Most importantly, this is the city government's commitment to always stand alongside and readily adapt to serve the development of businesses,” affirmed Vice Chairman of Hai Phong City, Le Trung Kien.
Becoming a long-term investment destination
From an investor's perspective, Bruno Jaspaert, President of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham Vietnam), believes that Hai Phong possesses many core advantages to pioneer the development of a new generation of Trade and Industry Zones, with a synchronized system of seaports, airports, and railway logistics, along with a young, flexible workforce ready to absorb "green" and digital skills.
According to Bruno Jaspaert, existing investors have contributed approximately $28 billion and are ready to expand if the Hai Phong Trade and Investment Zone adopts standards harmonized with the rules and norms of the European Union (EU).
Also expressing confidence in the development prospects, Mr. Koen Soenens, Director of Business, Marketing and Customer Service of DEEP C Industrial Park Complex in Hai Phong, expects that in the next 5 years, the Hai Phong Trade and Investment Park will make rapid progress in smart port management, digitization of information between factories and the port, improved multimodal logistics connectivity, and greener, lower-emission transportation solutions.
At the investment promotion conference "Hai Phong Free Trade Zone - A Destination for a New Era" held in mid-December 2025, Deputy Director of the Foreign Investment Department (Ministry of Finance) Nguyen Anh Tuan emphasized that the long-term goal is to build the Hai Phong Free Trade Zone into a "new symbol" of integration and innovation in the growth model; an international trade center of the North, a global transit and distribution point for goods, a national institutional testing space, and a driving force for development in the entire Northern Coastal region.
As the strategic advisory body on attracting FDI and developing the Free Trade Zone model, the Foreign Investment Agency will proactively coordinate with Hai Phong City and relevant ministries and agencies to research and finalize the pilot policy framework for the Free Trade Zone in accordance with Resolution No. 226. The focus will be on designing an open and superior institutional space in terms of customs and free trade; tariffs and foreign exchange management; digital trade and cross-border services, while also researching and learning from successful Free Trade Zones around the world. Alongside this, Hai Phong will be oriented towards attracting a new generation of FDI into the Free Trade Zone, especially in high-tech and innovative sectors; green investment, clean energy meeting ESG standards, circular economy, and green port development. The Foreign Investment Agency will also closely cooperate with international organizations to mobilize and connect strategic investors to Hai Phong.
The Foreign Investment Agency is committed to accompanying Hai Phong City throughout the entire process, from building models and perfecting institutions to operating the FTZ in practice; promoting strong reforms, proposing outstanding policies, creating a favorable, transparent, and internationally competitive investment and business environment; expanding connections with the global investor community, especially corporations from the US, EU, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore; and promptly supporting businesses in overcoming difficulties and building confidence for long-term investment activities.
The development of the Hai Phong City Trade and Tourism Zone is being carried out according to a roadmap consistent with the national socio-economic development strategy, the city's master plan, and the approved goals and orientations for the Trade and Tourism Zone's development, ensuring consistency, feasibility, and effectiveness.
Phase 1 (2025-2030) focuses on completing the legal framework, infrastructure, and pilot projects. Specifically, in 2025, the Hai Phong Economic Zone will be established. Several pilot mechanisms and policies will be immediately implemented in the Dinh Vu - Cat Hai Economic Zone; planning, investment, and construction will be carried out in the southern coastal economic zone of Hai Phong; priority will be given to investing in completing connecting infrastructure, seaports, and key logistics functional areas; the management and operation model will be finalized, and a coordination mechanism for administrative and customs management within the Hai Phong Economic Zone will be established; and the focus will be on developing a specific legal framework and a mechanism for decentralization of authority.
From 2026 to 2028, continue to thoroughly implement all pilot mechanisms and policies in the Hai Phong Trade and Investment Zone for the area within the Dinh Vu - Cat Hai Economic Zone; continue to carry out procedures for planning, approval of investment policies, and construction for functional sub-zones; implement the work of attracting and selecting investors to invest in a number of key infrastructure projects according to the approved planning scheme to quickly put them into operation and attract investment according to the list of priority industries and sectors.
From 2028 to 2030, fully implement all pilot mechanisms and policies in the Hai Phong High-Tech Economic Zone for the area within the Dinh Vu - Cat Hai Economic Zone; fundamentally complete the technical infrastructure and vigorously promote the thorough application of all pilot mechanisms and policies in the Hai Phong High-Tech Economic Zone for the area within the southern Hai Phong coastal economic zone.
Phase 2 (2030 - 2035) will continue to effectively and comprehensively implement the pilot mechanisms and policies, and complete the infrastructure of the Hai Phong Trade and Development Zone. Accordingly, research, refine, amend, and supplement relevant current legal regulations; complete the entire infrastructure system and functional areas for the remaining locations, while continuing to expand the Hai Phong Trade and Development Zone.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/nhung-ky-vong-moi-tu-khu-thuong-mai-tu-do-hai-phong.html
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