From July 1, 2025, Vietnam will officially have 13 special economic zones formed from island districts. This is not only a transformation in the organization of local government but also opens up expectations for breakthroughs in the maritime economy, enhances the governance capacity of border regions, and firmly consolidates the sovereignty of the Fatherland's seas and islands.
Maximizing potential
Thirteen special economic zones officially commenced operations on July 1st, including: Co To, Van Don (Quang Ninh); Cat Hai, Bach Long Vi (Hai Phong City); Con Co (Quang Tri); Ly Son (Quang Ngai); Hoang Sa (Da Nang City); Truong Sa (Khanh Hoa); Phu Quy (Lam Dong); Con Dao (Ho Chi Minh City); Phu Quoc, Kien Hai, Tho Chu ( An Giang ).
Among the special zones of An Giang province, Phu Quoc has a total area of over 589 km2; the population of the two wards of Duong Dong and An Thoi and the six communes of Duong To, Ham Ninh, Cua Duong, Bai Thom, Ganh Dau, and Cua Can of the former Phu Quoc city is over 150,000 people.
The Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone has international seaports, international passenger ports, an international airport, and a system of coastal economic zones to establish itself as an international tourism, resort, and entertainment center, as well as a financial, commercial, and service center for the Mekong Delta region.
With their designation as special economic zones, Phu Quoc and Phu Quy are expected to continue their strong development. Photo: DUY NHAN
With the above conditions, potential, and advantages, Phu Quoc holds a particularly important strategic position in terms of economy, national defense and security, and foreign relations. According to Mr. Tran Minh Khoa, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, to maximize its position as the "southwestern gateway" of the Fatherland, Phu Quoc needs a dynamic and superior institutional framework to ensure sustainable development and firmly protect maritime sovereignty in the new situation.
According to Mr. Khoa, Phu Quoc identifies the marine economy as a strategic pillar, focusing on both development and protection, such as: closely integrating the development of port infrastructure and logistics services with maritime defense forces; developing ecotourism linked to the conservation of coral reefs and primeval forests, and integrating it with civilian and military patrols at sea. Mr. Khoa believes that a clearer institutional framework is needed, and the "Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone Government Project" should be concretized soon to ensure a complete and transparent legal framework.
Originally a commune belonging to Phu Quoc City, Tho Chau Special Zone covers an area of less than 14 square kilometers and has a population of nearly 1,900 people. It is one of the special zones furthest from the mainland, and its economic and transportation conditions are among the most challenging compared to other special zones.
Nevertheless, with the transformation into a special economic zone, the Tho Chau Special Economic Zone government hopes to create a new development momentum. "Tho Chau has long been identified as a frontier island, with a particularly important position in terms of national defense and security. Therefore, the task of economic development is inseparable from national defense and security, protecting sovereignty. The upcoming goals and tasks are to continue strengthening national defense capabilities, maintaining sovereignty over the sea and islands; building a comprehensive national defense system linked to a solid people's security posture," affirmed the leader of the Tho Chau Special Economic Zone.
A specific financial mechanism is needed.
The establishment of the special economic zone not only opens a new chapter for the development of this strategically important island but also contributes to affirming national sovereignty over the sea and islands in the new context.
In early July, a bustling atmosphere permeated all administrative agencies in the Phu Quy Special Economic Zone (Lam Dong province). Following its designation as a special economic zone, Phu Quy entered a period of rapid transformation, shaping itself into a strategic center for maritime economy, tourism, and national defense and security in the East Sea.
Phu Quy Special Economic Zone. Photo: Chau Tinh
Phu Quy Island, despite its small area of just over 16 km², holds a particularly important position – serving as the southeastern outpost of the Fatherland. With its rapidly improving maritime transport and wind power infrastructure, along with its pristine beauty, mild climate, and abundant fishing grounds, the island possesses all the elements to become a multi-functional special economic zone.
Mr. Le Hong Loi, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Quy Special Economic Zone, shared: "Being recognized as a special economic zone gives us more basis to attract investment in key infrastructure, such as deep-water seaports and large-scale fisheries logistics areas. More importantly, this is a favorable condition for developing the marine economy while maintaining national sovereignty."
In its development plan, the Phu Quy Special Economic Zone government has identified three main pillars: marine economy, ecotourism, and renewable energy. Offshore wind power projects, fishing ports combined with fisheries logistics services, and marine conservation centers are being promoted synchronously, linked to long-term marine spatial planning. According to Mr. Le Hong Loi, the Phu Quy Special Economic Zone will prioritize strategic investors in the fields of sustainable seafood exploitation, processing for export, and marine services. "We will propose to the Government to allow the application of some specific financial mechanisms such as tax incentives, infrastructure support, and expedited investment licensing to attract large enterprises to the island," Mr. Loi said.
Con Co Special Zone (Quang Tri province) has a natural area of 230 hectares and a permanent population of 480 people; including 24 households with 96 individuals. Mr. Tran Xuan Anh - Secretary and Chairman of Con Co Special Zone - said that Con Co becoming a special zone is not only an administrative adjustment but also opens up opportunities and space for breakthrough development for the island.
On July 10th, Mr. Le Ngoc Quang, Secretary of the Quang Tri Provincial Party Committee, visited the Con Co Special Economic Zone to inspect the socio-economic development and national defense and security situation. Mr. Le Ngoc Quang requested the local authorities to urgently coordinate with relevant agencies to expedite the construction and implementation of the "Development Plan for Con Co Island District: Strong in Economy, Firm in National Defense and Security". This includes closely adhering to the provincial planning approved by the Prime Minister to comprehensively implement tasks, solutions, and development orientations towards the East, focusing on developing the marine economy while protecting the sovereignty of the nation's maritime territories.
The establishment of special economic zones is a strategic step in the national vision for the development of the country's maritime and island areas. From remote islands, these special economic zones are transforming into solid "fortresses"—where the maritime economy and national defense and security are developed in parallel, opening up expectations for a new model of special economic zones that closely links the interests of the people with the protection of national sovereignty.
Mr. LE ANH TU, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Con Dao Special Zone, Ho Chi Minh City:
Promoting the ecological values of the marine environment.
With Con Dao becoming a special administrative region of Ho Chi Minh City, I expect significant changes in both the awareness and actions of officials, civil servants, and even the people of Con Dao. With the city's resources, I also expect Con Dao to receive comprehensive investment in infrastructure such as healthcare, education, culture, social services, electricity, water, and telecommunications.
We propose that the city continue to pay attention to and work with the Government to submit to the Politburo and the National Assembly for early approval of the pilot project on some specific mechanisms and policies for Con Dao. We also recommend that the city and the central government soon implement several key projects, including the project to build Con Dao International Airport. This project was reported to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the working session with the Standing Committee of the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Provincial Party Committee on May 3rd. Having an international airport will attract more domestic and international strategic investors to Con Dao. In addition, it is necessary to soon study the investment in a tourist seaport for Con Dao, contributing to the promotion of the island's marine and ecological values.
These key projects are expected to lay the foundation for Con Dao's remarkable development in the next 5 to 10 years.
Mr. NGUYEN HOANG GIANG, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ngai Province:
Give Ly Son a strong boost.
Ly Son Island has a strategic location in the East Sea and possesses unique potential for island and marine tourism. When developing the Ly Son Special Economic Zone, Quang Ngai province set several core objectives: to develop Ly Son into a leading island and marine tourism center; to promote the marine economy while protecting national sovereignty; to streamline the administrative apparatus and improve management efficiency; and to preserve culture and ensure sustainable development.
The Party Committee and government of Ly Son are steadfast in their goal of developing this island district into a center for marine and island tourism, leveraging its natural beauty, local culture, and historical relics associated with Hoang Sa and Truong Sa to attract domestic and international tourists. The province hopes that specific mechanisms and policies for the special zone will be issued soon, creating a strong impetus for sustainable tourism development in Ly Son.
B.Ngoc - T.Truc recorded
Source: https://nld.com.vn/tao-the-moi-cho-cac-dac-khu-196250712204116886.htm
Comment (0)