Building a legal shield for Hai Phong businesses
Hai Phong aims to complete 100% of the review, proposal, and refinement of policies related to legal support for businesses during the 2026–2030 period.
In implementing Resolution No. 68 of the Politburo on private sector development, Plan No. 165 on the Intersectoral Legal Support Program for the 2026–2030 period, issued by the city People's Committee, has been identified as an important solution to enhance legal compliance, reduce risks in production and business activities, and create a more favorable investment environment.
Comprehensive legal support
Under Plan No. 165 on the implementation of the Intersectoral Legal Support Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and household businesses for the 2026–2030 period, Hai Phong aims to complete 100% of the review, proposal, and refinement of policies related to legal support, ensuring consistency and suitability with each stage of development.
A legal database system will be developed and fully integrated into the city's Electronic Information Portal and the online portals of departments and agencies, enabling businesses to access legal information free of charge. The city aims to ensure that 100% of businesses have access to basic legal information on investment and business activities, with at least 80% accessing such information through digital platforms. It also seeks to ensure that 100% of requests for legal information are met promptly through appropriate channels.
In addition, the city aims to ensure that at least 80% of civil servants, public employees, legal affairs officers, and personnel involved in legal support for businesses receive professional training; 80% of businesses utilize information through digital platforms; and 90% of beneficiaries are satisfied with the quality of legal support services. In terms of legal consultation, the city targets resolving at least 80% of requests from businesses or referring them to competent authorities for handling.
According to Mr. Ngo Quang Giap, Director of the Department of Justice, as the lead agency, the department will monitor, guide, urge, inspect, review, and evaluate the implementation of the program. It will also coordinate with other departments, agencies, and local authorities to ensure that the program is implemented consistently and effectively.
Supporting business development
By May 2026, Hai Phong had 54,005 operating businesses. During the first five months of 2026, the city established 3,571 new businesses, an increase of 34.2% compared with the same period in 2025, while 1,152 businesses resumed operations.
According to Mr. Nguyen Tri Cong, Deputy Director of Kien Minh Tam Co., Ltd. in Le Thanh Nghi Ward, the effective implementation of Plan No. 165 not only helps businesses address difficulties when legal issues arise but also enables them to access legal information at an early stage through an intersectoral and regularly updated approach. This allows businesses to proactively prevent legal risks, particularly in areas such as taxation, labor, investment, and social insurance. When the legal support system is fully integrated into digital platforms, businesses can also save considerable time and compliance costs.
According to Mr. Le Van Manh, owner of Hung Manh Mechanical Business Household in Tan Hung Ward, legal support activities also help household businesses better understand the process of converting into enterprises, as well as regulations related to electronic invoices, business registration, and administrative procedures.
Alongside Plan No. 165, local authorities across Hai Phong continue to implement a range of measures to support the private sector, focusing on administrative reform, assistance in transforming household businesses into enterprises, and improving access to capital.
From 2019 to May 2026, Hai Phong recorded 484 household businesses converting into enterprises. In particular, from May 2025 to May 2026, there were 199 conversions, accounting for 41.12%, of which 86 cases occurred in the first five months of 2026. The city has also reduced processing times by 50% for 1,680 out of 1,907 provincial-level administrative procedures and 269 out of 313 commune-level procedures, while more than 1,500 administrative procedures are now processed without being constrained by administrative boundaries.
Chairing a meeting on the implementation of Resolution No. 68 on 2 June, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee Le Trung Kien requested all departments and local authorities to continue improving the investment and business environment, strengthen dialogue with enterprises, and establish a “green channel” mechanism for administrative procedures in order to promote business development.
Although the number of newly established enterprises has increased, in the first five months of 2026 there were still 2,864 enterprises temporarily suspending operations and 866 enterprises dissolved, indicating that continued support and timely removal of difficulties for businesses remain important tasks.
By 2030, Hai Phong aims to have over 87,000 active enterprises, with the private sector achieving an annual growth rate of 14.5–15%, contributing 43–45% of GRDP and 55–57% of total domestic budget revenue. Within this roadmap, Plan No. 165 is expected to serve as a solid “legal shield,” helping enterprises and household businesses invest with confidence, expand production, and develop sustainably.
The Anh