The Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone will not be converted into residential land.

Ho Chi Minh City - Upon expiration of the land lease, the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, spanning over 300 hectares, will attract high-tech projects and will not be converted into residential, commercial, or service land.

This information was provided by Mr. Hua Quoc Hung, Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing Zones and Industrial Parks Management Board (Hepza), on the morning of January 24th, when discussing the city's future direction for industrial land. "The city will retain all industrial land, only changing the type of industry, not eliminating or converting it into residential, housing, or commercial areas," Mr. Hung stated.

Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, District 7, December 2022. Photo: Quynh Tran

Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone (EPZ) is Vietnam's first export processing zone, established in 1991 in Tan Thuan Dong ward, District 7. It borders the Saigon River and is approximately 5 km from District 1. Nearly 70% of the businesses in the zone are in the traditional manufacturing and processing sector. Currently, 195 hectares of land are used for factory and warehouse construction. The EPZ's land lease will expire on September 23, 2041.

In addition to its role as a model industrial zone, Tan Thuan holds a crucial position in Ho Chi Minh City's economy . By the end of 2021, the export processing zone had attracted 233 investment projects from 25 countries, with a total investment capital of approximately US$2.1 billion, creating jobs for more than 60,000 workers.

Previously, the District 7 People's Committee proposed that upon the expiration of the land lease, the city should allow the conversion of traditional industries in the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone to high-tech development, interspersed with residential land and commercial services.

According to Hepza's leadership, in recent times, some businesses in the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone have shifted towards developing high-tech industries in the city. When their land lease contracts expire, if the businesses wish to continue, Hepza and relevant departments will support the transition to meet the city's criteria.

Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone is located near the center of Ho Chi Minh City and the Thu Thiem new urban area. Graphic: Khanh Hoang

Along with Tan Thuan, this year, Hepza will pilot the transformation of four more industrial parks: Hiep Phuoc, Cat Lai, Binh Chieu, and Tan Binh. Specifically, Cat Lai will be transformed into a logistics center, Binh Chieu into a high-rise factory area, etc. The remaining industrial parks also have transformation plans outlined in the Ho Chi Minh City industrial park development scheme.

Hepza and the City Development Research Institute are also developing city-level criteria and support policies for business innovation. Specifically, the Department of Science and Technology will develop policies to support business transformation, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment will take the lead in assisting businesses with relocation, and the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs will be responsible for retraining workers.

Ho Chi Minh City currently has 17 out of 19 industrial parks in operation, with an occupancy rate of nearly 80%, employing over 252,000 workers. According to the plan, parks that have not yet leased land will prioritize attracting investment projects aligned with new development directions. In existing parks, the city will provide financial support to businesses for technological innovation or relocation to accelerate the transformation process.

Le Tuyet

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