The Prime Minister’s decisions on promoting the Southern Hai Phong Coastal Economic Zone and launching the Hai Phong Free Trade Zone (FTZ) are expected to provide a powerful new growth impetus for the economy.
Overview of the conference
At the June information-provision and press briefing conference on the afternoon of June 24 (24/6), Nguyen Van Chuan, Deputy Head of the Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority, said that the Hai Phong People’s Committee was expected to announce the Prime Minister’s decisions on the Economic Zone and launch the Hai Phong Free Trade Zone in July (7/2026).
The Prime Minister’s decisions on promoting the Southern Hai Phong Coastal Economic Zone and launching the Hai Phong Free Trade Zone (FTZ) are expected to provide a powerful new growth impetus for the economy.
This is a strategic step to elevate the position of the port city. It also offers a breakthrough solution to the challenge of creating a new growth space, helping Vietnam participate more deeply in global value chains.
The Hai Phong Specialized Economic Zone was established under the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 288/QD-TTg dated February 12, 2026 (12/2/2026), covering 5,300 ha across 6 communes: Thuong Hong, Nguyen Luong Bang, Bac Thanh Mien, Thanh Mien, Hai Hung and Binh Giang.
The Hai Phong Specialized Economic Zone includes functional areas suited to its development objectives, including industrial development areas (industrial parks and industrial clusters); a general trade and service area; a non-tariff area and logistics service area; and logistics and innovation centres.
The Southern Hai Phong Coastal Economic Zone was established under the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1511/QD-TTg dated December 4, 2024 (4/12/2024).
The master plan for the Southern Hai Phong Coastal Economic Zone through 2050 was approved under the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 431/QD-TTg dated March 14, 2026 (14/3/2026). The zone covers approximately 20,000 ha, including all of Hung Thang and Chan Hung communes and parts of Nghi Duong, Kien Hung, Kien Hai, An Hung, Tien Minh, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Vinh Am and Nam Do Son communes.
This is a new-generation eco-economic zone developed on the basis of green growth, a circular economy and sustainable development. It has an innovative and pioneering role, with functions that support and connect with other coastal economic zones.
The Hai Phong Free Trade Zone (FTZ), meanwhile, was established under the Hai Phong People’s Committee’s Decision No. 4068/QD-UBND dated October 13, 2025 (13/10/2025). Covering approximately 6,292 ha, it is arranged in non-contiguous locations associated with the Dinh Vu – Cat Hai Economic Zone and the Southern Hai Phong Coastal Economic Zone.
Unlike traditional industrial parks and export processing zones, this new-generation FTZ model is built on the principles of superior mechanisms, smart management and globalization.
Businesses operating here will enjoy unprecedented advantages in capital flows and tax rates, particularly a streamlined digital customs mechanism. Goods moving through the non-tariff area will face minimal administrative barriers, helping multinational corporations optimize costs and time.
The Hai Phong FTZ will create a new growth space based on 3 pillars. As a high-tech spearhead, it is positioned as a destination for future industries such as chip manufacturing, semiconductors, smart electronic components and green technology.
It will be a space for attracting high-quality FDI and promoting technology transfer to domestic enterprises.
The Hai Phong FTZ will also provide super-scale logistics infrastructure. Leveraging Hai Phong’s position as the only locality in northern Vietnam with all 5 modes of transport, especially the deep-water Lach Huyen port, the FTZ will turn Hai Phong into an international cargo transshipment hub. AI-powered smart warehousing will serve as the lifeblood connecting cross-border trade.
The Hai Phong FTZ will simultaneously form a high-class service ecosystem. Beyond factories and warehouses, this new space will bring together financial centres, international exhibition complexes, and leading tourism, entertainment and commercial services, turning the area into a dynamic and liveable coastal urban centre./.
Source: Compiled