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 apparatus but also opens up the expectation of a breakthrough in the marine economy, improving the capacity of border management and firmly consolidating the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.
Maximize your potential
The 13 special economic zones officially came into operation on July 1, 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 (HCMC); 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, An Thoi and the six communes of Duong To, Ham Ninh, Cua Duong, Bai Thom, Ganh Dau, Cua Can of Phu Quoc city (old) is over 150,000 people.
Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone has all the international seaports, international passenger ports, international airports, and a coastal economic zone system to shape itself into an international resort and entertainment tourism center, a financial - commercial and service center of the Mekong Delta region.
With the special economic zones, it is expected that Phu Quoc and Phu Quy will continue to have strong development. Photo: DUY NHAN
With the above conditions, potentials and advantages, Phu Quoc holds a particularly important strategic position in terms of economy, national defense - security and foreign affairs. According to Mr. Tran Minh Khoa, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Quoc Special Zone, to promote the position of "the southwestern gateway" of the Fatherland, Phu Quoc needs a dynamic and outstanding institution for sustainable development, firmly protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands in the new situation.
According to Mr. Khoa, Phu Quoc identifies the marine economy as a strategic pillar, both developing and protecting, such as: Closely combining the development of seaport infrastructure - logistics services with forces protecting the islands; developing eco-tourism associated with the conservation of coral reefs, primary forests, and with civil - military patrol activities at sea. Mr. Khoa believes that it is necessary to shape the institution more clearly and soon concretize the "Phu Quoc Special Zone Government Project" to have a complete and transparent legal framework.
Formerly a commune of Phu Quoc City, Tho Chau special zone has an area of less than 14 square kilometers and a population of nearly 1,900 people. This is one of the special zones farthest from the mainland and its economic and traffic conditions are among the most difficult compared to the other special zones.
However, by converting it into a special zone, the government of Tho Chau Special Zone hopes to create a new development position. "Tho Chau has long been identified as an outpost 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, and protecting sovereignty. The upcoming goal and task is to continue strengthening national defense potential, maintaining sovereignty over seas and islands; building a national defense foundation associated with a solid people's security posture" - the leader of Tho Chau Special Zone affirmed.
Need special financial mechanism
The establishment of the special zone not only opens a new chapter for the development of the outpost island but also contributes to affirming the national sovereignty over seas and islands in the new situation.
In early July, in Phu Quy special economic zone (Lam Dong province), the atmosphere of urgent work spread throughout the administrative agencies. After being announced as a special economic zone, Phu Quy entered a period of strong transformation, shaping a center of marine economy, tourism and strategic defense - security in the middle of the East Sea.
Phu Quy Special Zone. Photo: CHAU TINH
Phu Quy has an area of just over 16 km² but holds a particularly important position - being the southeastern outpost of the Fatherland. With maritime transport and wind power infrastructure being improved every day, along with its wild beauty, temperate climate and rich fishing grounds, this island has all the elements to become a multifunctional special zone.
Mr. Le Hong Loi, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Quy Special Zone, shared: "Being recognized as a special zone gives us more basis to call for investment in key infrastructure, such as deep-water seaports and large-scale fishing logistics zones. More importantly, this is a favorable condition for developing the marine economy while maintaining national sovereignty."
In its development orientation, the Phu Quy Special Zone authorities have identified three main pillars: marine economy, eco-tourism and renewable energy. Offshore wind power projects, fishing ports combined with fisheries logistics services, marine conservation centers, etc. are being promoted synchronously, linked to long-term marine spatial planning. According to Mr. Le Hong Loi, Phu Quy Special Zone will give priority to strategic investors in the fields of sustainable seafood exploitation, export processing 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 quick investment licensing to attract large enterprises to the island," said Mr. Loi.
Con Co Special Economic Zone (Quang Tri Province) has a natural area of 230 hectares, with a permanent population of 480 people on the island; including 24 households with 96 people. Mr. Tran Xuan Anh - Secretary and Chairman of Con Co Special Economic Zone - said that Con Co becoming a special economic zone is not only an administrative adjustment, but also opens up opportunities and breakthrough development space for the island.
On July 10, Mr. Le Ngoc Quang, Secretary of the Quang Tri Provincial Party Committee, visited Con Co special economic zone to inspect the socio-economic development and national defense and security situation. Mr. Le Ngoc Quang requested the locality to urgently coordinate with competent authorities to urge the development and implementation of the Project "Developing Con Co island district to be strong in economy and stable in national defense and security". In particular, closely following the provincial planning approved by the Prime Minister to synchronously deploy tasks, solutions and development orientations to the East, focusing on developing the marine economy in association with protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.
The establishment of special economic zones is a strategic step in the vision of developing the nation's sea and islands. From remote islands, special economic zones are transforming into solid "fortresses" - where the marine economy and national defense and security are developed in parallel, opening up expectations for a new model of special economic zones, closely linking people's interests with protecting national sovereignty.
Mr. LE ANH TU, Secretary of the Party Committee of Con Dao Special Zone, Ho Chi Minh City:
Promoting marine ecological values
With the establishment of a special economic zone under Ho Chi Minh City, I expect there will be major changes in the awareness and actions of the staff, civil servants, public employees and even the people of Con Dao. With the city's resources, I also expect Con Dao to receive synchronous investment in infrastructure for health, education, culture, society, electricity, water, telecommunications, etc.
We propose that the city continue to pay attention and work with the Government to submit to the Politburo and the National Assembly for early approval of the Pilot Project of a number of specific mechanisms and policies for Con Dao. We also recommend that the city and the Central Government soon implement a number of key projects. Among them is the project to build Con Dao International Airport. This project was reported to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a working session with the Standing Committee of the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Provincial Party Committee on May 3. With an international airport, domestic and international strategic investors will pay more attention and invest more in Con Dao. In addition, it is necessary to soon study investment in a tourist seaport for Con Dao, contributing to promoting the ecological values of the sea and islands for Con Dao.
These key projects are expected to create a foundation for Con Dao to develop rapidly in the next 5 and 10 years.
Mr. NGUYEN HOANG GIANG, Chairman of Quang Ngai Provincial People's Committee:
Create a strong push for Ly Son
Ly Son has a strategic location in the East Sea and possesses unique sea and island tourism potential. When building the development orientation of Ly Son special economic zone, Quang Ngai province set a number of core goals to develop Ly Son into a leading sea and island tourism center; promote the marine economy associated with protecting national sovereignty; streamline the apparatus, improve management efficiency; preserve culture and develop sustainably.
The Party Committee and the government of Ly Son are determined to build this island district into a center for sea and island tourism, taking advantage of the natural beauty, indigenous culture and historical relics associated with Hoang Sa - Truong Sa to attract domestic and international tourists. The province expects that special mechanisms and policies for the special zone will soon be issued, creating a strong push 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
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