Quang Ninh makes a breakthrough in attracting FDI from Japan.

Over the years, Quang Ninh has consistently been recognized as one of the leading localities nationwide in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). However, regarding capital flows from Japan – one of Vietnam's most important partners – the results of FDI attraction in Quang Ninh remain unsatisfactory.

  It has not lived up to its potential and expectations, creating a need for highly scientific solutions in the new phase that are linked to the effectiveness of the investors.

The provincial departments and agencies have agreed on the contents related to the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Quang Ninh province and Shiga province (Japan), dated November 25, 2025.

Over the years, Quang Ninh has organized numerous investment promotion programs specifically for the Japanese market, such as: the Japan Investment Promotion Conference 2021; the Quang Ninh - Japan Investment Promotion Conference 2023 during the Hokkaido Festival; the 2025 Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Forum in Osaka within the framework of EXPO 2025; activities connecting Japanese and Vietnamese businesses, meetings with the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka, etc.

Following the EXPO 2025 event, many Japanese business delegations visited Quang Ninh to survey the province, showing particular interest in its friendly investment environment, well-developed infrastructure, and green development orientation. However, out of a total of 228 active FDI projects with a registered capital of US$17.07 billion, only 16 projects are from Japanese investors, with a registered capital of US$2.77 billion, accounting for 16.3% of the total FDI capital in the province.

Many projects by Japanese investors are currently scattered, small-scale, and mainly in traditional sectors; there are no breakthrough projects that would create a strong impact in transforming the growth model and increasing revenue for the state budget. Although Quang Ninh is one of the localities with many planned industrial parks and economic zones in the country, the number of projects by Japanese investors currently stands at only 11, with a registered capital of 290.39 million USD, including one project in Van Don Economic Zone with very small capital (2 million USD).

Delegations from Japanese localities conducted a site visit to the Tamagawa Factory (Song Khoai Industrial Park) on November 24, 2025.

Mr. Ozasa Haruhiko, Chief Representative of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Hanoi office, stated that Quang Ninh has outstanding advantages in connectivity, infrastructure, and administrative reform. However, to attract more Japanese investment, which places great emphasis on stability, transparency, and the quality of supporting infrastructure, Quang Ninh needs to create a more specialized and standardized industrial ecosystem.

In the context of both Vietnam and Japan aiming for green development, Quang Ninh province is proactively shifting its focus to attracting investment in areas such as renewable energy, energy-saving technologies, circular economy, and low-carbon transition. Taking advantage of the first-ever Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Quang Ninh on November 25, 2025, Quang Ninh provincial leaders directly worked with and introduced to investors and localities from Japan the province's investment attraction orientation and priority sectors. Specifically, the Provincial People's Committee directly discussed with the Institute for Innovation and New Energy Technology (IETI) of Japan to develop a strategic cooperation program. The Provincial People's Committee assigned the Department of Industry and Trade as the focal point, coordinating with the Departments of Science and Technology, Education and Training, Culture, Sports and Tourism, Finance, etc., to develop a detailed cooperation plan to be submitted to the Provincial People's Committee in the near future.

Aeon Mall Ha Long, one of the projects by Japanese investors in Quang Ninh, is being rapidly constructed.

Mr. Le Van Anh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, said: Quang Ninh identifies green transformation as a strategic pillar. Japan is the most suitable partner for the province to implement clean energy models that are less resource-intensive, low-carbon, and high-tech.

Based on analyses and past experiences, Quang Ninh province will implement a comprehensive set of solutions to attract investment from Japan. This includes researching and establishing a "Japanese industrial zone," similar to those in some provinces and cities, with industrial parks and economic zones built to Japanese standards, focusing on the following sectors: electronic components, robotics, automation; energy-saving technologies; and new materials.

Japan is a country with a particular interest in supply chains, therefore Quang Ninh province needs to support Vietnamese businesses in participating in Japanese production chains and developing specialized logistics. This necessitates strengthening cooperation in training human resources to Japanese standards. Recently, at the Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum, Quang Ninh province also proposed this to Japanese localities and is gradually studying the possibility of signing memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements.

With Vietnam-Japan relations currently at their best stage, coupled with the province's determination to restructure its investment attraction model and promote green transformation, Quang Ninh has every opportunity to create a strong breakthrough in attracting FDI from Japan.

Manh Truong

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/quang-ninh-tao-dot-pha-thu-hut-von-fdi-tu-nhat-ban-3387972.html