The establishment of the country’s first specialized economic zone is expected to open new development space for Hai Phong and strengthen its competitiveness in attracting investment, especially high-tech and modern logistics projects.
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Hai Phong Specialized Economic Zone: an integrated multifunctional model
Under Decision 288/QD-TTg signed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on February 12, the Hai Phong Specialized Economic Zone was established at about 5,300 hectares across six communes: Thuong Hong, Nguyen Luong Bang, Bac Thanh Mien, Thanh Mien, Hai Hung and Binh Giang. Its formation is a strategic step to create a new growth pole with synchronized, modern infrastructure and an important role in the city’s and northern coastal region’s economic development.
Unlike traditional industrial parks, the Hai Phong Specialized Economic Zone will follow an integrated multifunctional model combining production and services. Planned functional areas include industrial development zones, comprehensive trade and services, a non-tariff area, logistics centers and innovation centers. The scale and location of each area will be detailed in approved construction plans.
The zone will not only expand the city’s industrial development space but also create a modern economic ecosystem connecting production, research, services and logistics. This model will improve resource efficiency and facilitate large-scale, high-technology investment projects.
The zone aims to maximize Hai Phong’s existing industrial and service base, focusing on high-tech, environmentally friendly and high-value-added industries. Alongside economic development, it will strengthen international trade links, align investment attraction with national defense and security, and preserve local historical and cultural values.
Le Anh Quan, Party Committee Standing Board member and Permanent Vice Chairman of the city People’s Committee, said the western specialized economic zone has major strategic significance for Hai Phong. As the country’s first such zone, it will create a new growth driver, rationally restructure development space and remove bottlenecks for a strong breakthrough.
A driver of socio-economic development for the whole region
The Government expects the Hai Phong Specialized Economic Zone to drive socio-economic development across the Red River Delta. It is expected to contribute about 3–4% of the city’s GRDP by 2030 and more than 5% after 2030. The city will introduce transparent, open and business-friendly policies while developing high-quality human resources.
The zone is being formed as the city continues to attract domestic and foreign investors. By February 27, attracted FDI totaled USD221.4 million, equal to 5.47% of the 2026 plan, whose target is USD3.8–4.3 billion. The city now has 1,802 projects from 42 countries and territories, with valid investment capital of about USD51.2 billion.
These figures show that Hai Phong’s investment environment is increasingly attractive. Rapid development also creates new requirements for economic-space organization. As coastal land becomes limited, the western specialized economic zone is a strategic adjustment focused on knowledge- and technology-intensive sectors such as supporting industries, innovation centers and domestic logistics.
In this context, the zone is a strategic adjustment to the city’s development space. Its significance lies not in its area but in its orientation: beyond the port and international-trade advantages of earlier coastal zones, it is expected to host more knowledge- and technology-intensive sectors. Supporting industries, high technology, domestic logistics, innovation centers and value-added services are investment priorities.
This approach aims to improve the quality of the city’s FDI. The zone can form complete production chains from R&D and design to component manufacturing and logistics, creating a foundation for innovation-led growth and strengthening Hai Phong’s role as a key growth pole on the northern coast.
Source: Collected