Southern Coastal Economic Zone – breakthrough driver for 2025–2030 term
The Southern Coastal Economic Zone is identified as Hai Phong’s new key development space, carrying the mission of becoming a strategic driver in the 2025–2030 term and in subsequent stages.
Opening up new development potential
The Hai Phong Economic Zone (EZ) Authority aims to attract 20 – 25 billion USD into its industrial parks and EZs in the 2026 – 2030 period, averaging 5 – 6 billion USD per year. Of this, FDI is expected to reach 4 – 5 billion USD, while DDI will be around 1 – 2 billion USD. The structure is calculated with 40% from existing enterprises and 60% from new investors. Within this picture, the Southern Coastal EZ is considered the strategic “gateway” where all conditions converge to realize this goal.
Covering 20,000 ha, the Southern Coastal EZ of Hai Phong is oriented to become a third-generation ecological, multi-sectoral EZ, focusing on high-tech industries and modern logistics. Most importantly, it will serve as the destination for investment from major domestic and foreign corporations, especially in chip, semiconductor, and electronics industries. This will give Hai Phong a unique advantage in attracting high-quality FDI capital flows.
In addition, with its strategic location – the northern gateway to the sea, situated in the growth engine region – the Southern Coastal EZ not only opens new development potential for Hai Phong but also enhances regional connectivity and national competitiveness. It will also be the space for the city to pilot new mechanisms and policies and build a transparent, modern investment environment attractive to high-quality capital from both domestic and international sources.
As oriented, by 2030, the Southern Coastal EZ will become the main driving force of Hai Phong’s economy, reaching 80% of the capacity of Dinh Vu–Cat Hai EZ in 2023, playing a particularly important role in linking with neighboring EZs, forming a chain of coastal EZs as the driving force of the entire region. It is expected to attract 700 trillion VND in social investment, achieve an industrial production value of 2 quadrillion VND, contribute 550 trillion VND to the budget, and create more than 300,000 jobs.
Driving key projects, laying foundation for breakthroughs
Along with the strategic orientation, Hai Phong city is urgently turning the Southern Coastal EZ into reality with concrete steps.
Identifying the establishment of a free trade zone as the central mission directly tied to the success of the Southern Coastal EZ, the Hai Phong EZ Authority is working closely with the Department of Finance and relevant agencies to complete, appraise, and submit for approval its establishment decision within September 2025.
In parallel with planning, many key projects directly connected with the Southern Coastal EZ are also being accelerated by the city. Notably, the LNG gas power plant project of Vingroup in Tan Trao industrial park is expected to commence construction at the end of this September to mark the city Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term.
According to Vingroup, the project will use more than 98.5 ha of land with a designed capacity of 4,800 MW.
Not only focusing on industrial infrastructure, the city is also paying special attention to synchronizing social factors to ensure sustainable development. Many worker housing and social housing projects have been included in the planning, along with cultural, healthcare, and educational facilities. These are essential conditions to create a favorable working and living environment, helping businesses feel assured to stay long-term in the Southern Coastal EZ. The city is also studying policies to attract and reward high-quality experts and engineers to improve the quality of human resources.
Identifying the Southern Coastal EZ as one of the four strategic breakthroughs demonstrates the importance of this development space for the city’s future. With a proactive and determined spirit, it is believed that the Southern Coastal EZ will soon take shape, contributing to Hai Phong’s breakthrough development and leading role in the nation’s rise.
LE HIEP