Southern Coastal Economic Zone - Strategic breakthrough for Hai Phong’s thriving

Next-generation economic model

The Southern Coastal Economic Zone embodies Hai Phong’s aspirations and vision for a transformative development phase, leveraging its strategic position as the Northern gateway to the sea and a key growth driver in Northern Vietnam.

According to experts, leaders, and managers, the creation of this economic zone not only propels Hai Phong’s own development but also strengthens regional linkages, enhances national competitiveness, and maximizes advantages from its strategic location and expanding transport infrastructure.

It also provides a platform for the city to pilot new mechanisms and policies, creating a favorable and open investment environment to attract resources from both domestic and international investors.

With these strengths, by 2030, the Southern Coastal Economic Zone is expected to become Hai Phong’s primary growth engine, reaching 80% of the capacity of Dinh Vu – Cat Hai Economic Zone (as of 2023).

Total investment is projected to reach 8 billion USD by 2030 and 40 billion USD by 2040, with import-export turnover exceeding 70 billion USD.

The zone is expected to contribute 550 trillion VND to the State budget, create 400,000 jobs, and provide housing for more than 500,000 residents.

Building institutions and prioritizing high-quality human resources

The Southern Coastal Economic Zone, along with four new industrial parks recently approved by the Prime Minister, namely Nomura Hai Phong (phase 2), Vinh Quang (phase 1), Trang Due 3, and Nam Trang Cat, increases the total number of industrial parks in the city to 18, covering a combined area of approximately 7,378 ha, an increase of nearly 1,300 ha, not including Dinh Vu – Cat Hai Economic Zone.

These parks and economic zones are expected to open new development space for Hai Phong and create momentum for further investment attraction, especially from global strategic investors.

The city is currently accelerating preparations to realize the development of the Southern Coastal Economic Zone.

At the opening of Hai Phong’s Investment Promotion Conference held during the third meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC III) in 2025, Secretary of the city Party Committee Le Tien Chau emphasized: "The city is committed to taking bold action through four strategic breakthroughs: developing the Southern Coastal Economic Zone; establishing a new-generation Free Trade Zone; creating a modern, open, and streamlined development framework; and rapidly and effectively implementing the National Assembly’s resolution on piloting special mechanisms and policies for the city.

“This includes advancing industry, seaports, logistics, and innovation, while also focusing on the training, attraction, and utilization of high-quality human resources.

“A synchronized ecosystem of education, healthcare, services, and housing will be created to ensure an ideal living environment where top experts and skilled workers come to Hai Phong to stay, commit, and contribute.”

With its strategic location, outstanding potential, strong institutional foundations, and unwavering determination, Hai Phong is poised to realize the vision of the Southern Coastal Economic Zone, thereby driving the city to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with major cities across Asia and become a modern, livable international seaport city and an international hub for economics, culture, education, training, and science–technology.

Covering 20,000 ha in southeastern Hai Phong, the Southern Coastal Economic Zone is designed as a third-generation eco-economic zone with an international orientation and multi-sector structure. Its development pillars include high-tech industry, modern logistics services, smart urban areas, eco-tourism, and a pilot free trade zone.

BUI HUONG