Hai Phong businesses seek a place in FDI supply chains

Identifying order opportunities

Starting with precision machining, HPTECH Supporting Industry Co., Ltd. gradually invested in machinery, workforce training and quality management systems. According to company representative Vu Van Tu, HPTECH is currently employing around 100 workers and supplying products to domestic and international customers. The company has obtained IATF 16949 certification to support its plans to manufacture automotive components.

Tu also represents SMV Aviation Industry JSC, which has achieved AS9100D certification and secured its first orders for aviation components. These examples highlight local businesses' efforts to enter manufacturing sectors with stringent requirements.

According to Tu, securing orders from major corporations requires businesses to invest in machinery, measuring equipment, personnel and management systems in advance, even when future market opportunities remain uncertain. He therefore called for a dedicated contact point for connection with FDI factories, access to purchasing needs and supplier selection procedures, from submitting company profiles and producing samples to undergoing quality assessments.

At Manh Toan Plastic Co., Ltd., which specializes in engineering plastics and high-end household plastics for Chinese and South Korean FDI enterprises as well as US customers, improving production capacity is also essential to expanding market access. The company is participating in the “Smart Factory Development Cooperation” project jointly implemented by Samsung Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Trade with the hope to improve productivity and quality and gradually meet Samsung's requirements for becoming its supplier.

Meanwhile, Pham Trung Tinh, Director of Ankei Vietnam Co., Ltd., said his company faces difficulties in finding supply opportunities with FDI factories in Hai Phong. Some FDI enterprises import goods directly from overseas or purchase them through commercial channels in Ha Noi, Bac Ninh and other localities, while connections with domestic suppliers remain limited.

In practice, businesses need more than market information. They also need clear details about purchasing requirements, technical standards and supplier evaluation procedures so they can take the initiative in investment and improvement of production capacity.

In the first nine months of 2026, Hai Phong's industrial production index rose by 15.23%, while manufacturing and processing increased by 15.47%. FDI exceeded USD3.6 billion, up 64.4% year on year. The expansion of industrial production and FDI inflows is generating additional demand for raw materials, components and production support services, creating room for local businesses to grow.

Strengthening capabilities and expanding connections

According to Vu Van Tu, to meet the requirements of major corporations, supporting industry businesses may need to invest in measuring equipment, traceability software and quality management certifications, or add new production processes. He therefore proposed tailoring support to specific needs by assessing capability gaps, advising businesses on upgrade plans and considering partial financial assistance where appropriate. Developing shared, specialized measurement and testing services would also allow businesses to verify product quality without having to purchase expensive equipment themselves.

From the perspective of FDI enterprises, a representative of LG Display Vietnam Hai Phong Co., Ltd. proposed that the city establish a database of supporting industry businesses, regularly updating information on their sectors, production capabilities and quality standards. This would make it easier for FDI companies to identify and assess domestic suppliers.

The city should also help businesses with training and consultancy to meet standards relevant to their respective sectors and facilitate access to credit, tax policies and industrial premises. Establishing a dedicated support contact point for procedures, legal matters and technical standards is also expected to help resolve obstacles as businesses seek to work with FDI partners.

According to Tran Van Thang, Chairman of the City Business Association, many domestic businesses still rely on outdated machinery and processes and have been slow to adopt new technologies, resulting in high production costs and limited competitiveness. Enterprises need to make targeted technology investments and strengthen partnerships to expand production capacity. They should also maintain transparent accounting records and financial reports to facilitate access to capital and cooperation with major corporations.

The development strategy for supporting industries has also been specified in a 2026-2035 program approved by the City People's Committee under Decision No. 2843/QD-UBND. By 2030, Hai Phong aims to have 300 – 350 supporting industry businesses capable of participating in the supply chains of FDI enterprises and multinational corporations. Five priority sectors have been identified, namely electronics; high technology; mechanical engineering and manufacturing; automotive; and textiles, garments, and footwear. Key areas of support include management, high-quality workforce development, research, innovation and technology transfer.

At the city's business meeting and consultation conference on October 13, Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee Le Ngoc Chau pointed out that links between large and small businesses, as well as between domestic and foreign enterprises, remained inadequate, preventing the formation of sustainable development chains. Agencies, units and local authorities need to serve as effective bridges, promoting production cooperation, technology transfer, high-quality workforce development and the establishment of supply chains within Hai Phong.

The Secretary of the City Party Committee also called on FDI enterprises to strengthen connections and create opportunities for domestic businesses to supply components, services and auxiliary products. Local companies, for their part, need to proactively adopt new technologies, improve management capabilities, research markets and standardize their products to meet international standards.

For these solutions to deliver results, business-matching activities need to cover the entire process, from surveying purchasing needs and assessing supplier capabilities to supporting improvements, sample production and product evaluation. Progress should be measured by the number of businesses approved as suppliers, the number of actual orders secured and their ability to maintain long-term partnerships. This would help Hai Phong gradually link FDI attraction with domestic industrial development, create more technical jobs and retain a greater share of production value within the city.

LE HIEP