Opening up new space to create momentum for breakthroughs
Building on a foundation of 11 consecutive years of double-digit growth, Hai Phong is entering a new phase of development, with a larger scale, stronger standing, and broader space for growth.
Expanding new development space
Following the administrative restructuring, Hai Phong now has an economic scale of nearly USD 30 billion, ranking third nationwide. The city has maintained double-digit economic growth for 11 consecutive years, further cementing its role as a key growth pole of the Northern Coastal region. Its expanded development space, combined with an industrial base and port, logistics and infrastructure systems built up over many years, provides additional conditions for the city to reorganize its resources and create new growth drivers.
At a working session with the Hai Phong Party Committee on March 16, 2026, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam emphasized that Hai Phong must clearly define its role in the national and Northern development structure. The city should not only remain a dynamic locality but also strive to become a leading growth pole in the North, a high-tech industrial center, an international-class logistics hub and a modern maritime economy center, while serving as a key gateway connecting the domestic market with international markets.
With a vision toward 2045, Hai Phong is expected to become a modern industrial-service port city of Asian stature, as well as a national center for the marine economy, logistics, clean energy and marine science and technology.
Building on this orientation, Hai Phong has been implementing specific tasks and solutions with determination, including reorganizing its development space on the basis of comprehensive planning. The city has determined that its planning must have a long-term vision and be modern and integrated, serving as the foundation for allocating development projects, infrastructure and resources.
At the same time, the city is focusing on investing in and completing its transport and logistics infrastructure, prioritizing highly interconnected projects such as Lach Huyen deep-water port, Nam Do Son port and Cat Bi International Airport. It is also developing road and rail routes, coastal roads, east-west corridors, ring roads and connections with other localities across the region.
Hai Phong is also developing logistics in close connection with seaports, industrial parks, production centers and interregional transport networks. The goal is to make better use of its position as an international gateway, enhance the flow of goods from localities across the region to seaports and international markets, and strengthen links with Hanoi, Quang Ninh and other regional localities. The city is also expanding connections with the Vietnam-China economic corridors and major economic centers in the region.
The reorganization of development space is also being linked to the formation of new economic zones. The Hai Phong Specialized Economic Zone, the Southern Coastal Economic Zone and the Free Trade Zone are being developed, creating additional room to attract large-scale, high-tech and high-value-added projects while expanding trade, logistics and services in closer integration with regional and global supply chains.
These new development spaces are being incorporated into the city's overall development strategy, alongside its network of industrial parks, seaports, logistics facilities, urban areas and transport infrastructure that is being invested in and upgraded. This is gradually shaping a broader development structure, enabling Hai Phong to capitalize on its position as an international gateway and strengthen connections with economic centers across the region.
According to Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, Director of the Institute for Brand and Competitiveness Strategy Research and former Deputy Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, Hai Phong's pioneering tradition in reform and its early strategic thinking on the development of special economic zones continue to play an important role in the city's development.
A port and industrial city with a rich tradition, Hai Phong is undergoing a major transformation. Alongside its strengths in seaports and industry, the city is gradually completing its logistics ecosystem and business-support services, further reinforcing its role as a key engine of economic growth.
Creating new growth drivers, upgrading the growth model
The expansion of development space, together with special mechanisms and policies granted by the central government, is creating greater room for Hai Phong to realize the development objectives set out in the Resolution of the First Congress of the Hai Phong Party Committee for the 2025–2030 tenure and Politburo Resolution No. 45.
However, this new room for growth also brings higher demands: upgrading the growth model based on productivity, science and technology, and innovation; improving the quality and competitiveness of the economy; and pursuing sustainable development while making a greater contribution to the country.
In line with the core spirit of the Central Party's resolutions, Hai Phong is gradually translating these requirements into concrete actions in spatial planning, governance and development management.
Speaking at a conference announcing decisions on economic zones and launching the Hai Phong Free Trade Zone, Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee Le Ngoc Chau said that, to achieve the goal of making Hai Phong a leading economic center in Vietnam and a strategic regional and international trade hub, as well as a major seaport city at the forefront of industrialization, digital transformation, green transformation and innovation, the city will focus on developing key sectors such as logistics, port services, tourism, education, and science and technology.
The city will also work to complete a synchronized infrastructure system with convenient multimodal connectivity; maximize the value of its natural and cultural heritage recognized as world heritage; and make culture a spiritual foundation for development.
Based on these priorities, Hai Phong is focusing on transforming its existing advantages in seaports, logistics and industry into new competitive capabilities, while making science and technology, innovation and digital transformation key drivers for shifting toward a more productivity- and efficiency-driven growth model.
At the same time, the city is working to improve its institutional framework, reorganize its development space based on long-term planning, invest in infrastructure and accelerate the green transition. Hai Phong is also placing greater emphasis on renewing its urban governance model toward a digital, enabling and service-oriented government, improving the investment environment and developing a high-quality workforce.
With the foundations already established, expanded development space and a strong determination to innovate, Hai Phong is gradually building new growth drivers, improving the quality and sustainability of its development and contributing to the country's goal of achieving double-digit economic growth.
These efforts are also intended to lay the foundation for successfully achieving the country's two strategic 100-year goals, helping Vietnam move firmly into a new era of strong, civilized, prosperous and happy development, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world's leading nations.
Ha Minh