At the event, Hai Phong announced the Prime Minister's decision to establish a Specialized Economic Zone covering 5,300 hectares, as well as the approval of the master plan for the Southern Hai Phong Coastal Economic Zone, which will span approximately 20,000 hectares.

The city also officially launched the Hai Phong Free Trade Zone, the first in Vietnam to operate under a dedicated framework of special policies and mechanisms.

The FTZ is expected to become a destination for high-quality investment thanks to preferential policies covering investment, customs, trade, logistics and integrated infrastructure.

Building an integrated economic ecosystem

Chau noted that the Hai Phong Free Trade Zone covers nearly 6,300 hectares across several non-contiguous sites linked to the Dinh Vu–Cat Hai Economic Zone and the Southern Hai Phong Coastal Economic Zone.

Rather than functioning as a standalone project, he said, the FTZ should serve as an institutional catalyst that connects the city's economic zones into a unified ecosystem.

"If implemented well, the three economic zones together with the free trade zone will create a new development map for Hai Phong, linking the western part of the city to the sea, connecting manufacturing with international trade, attracting investment while facilitating technology transfer and strengthening the competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises," he said.

He cautioned that simply creating more economic zones would not automatically generate stronger growth.

"Without clearly defining the role, priorities and implementation conditions for each zone, there is a risk of fragmented investment and unnecessary competition among economic zones within the same locality," he said.

Strong investment performance

Hai Phong Party Secretary Le Ngoc Chau said the city remains one of Vietnam's leading destinations for foreign investment.

Hai Phong is currently home to more than 1,868 foreign-invested projects from 42 countries and territories, with a combined registered investment of more than US$54 billion, accounting for nearly 10% of Vietnam's cumulative foreign direct investment.

The city is also the only locality in Vietnam to maintain double-digit economic growth for 11 consecutive years.

During the first half of 2026, Hai Phong's gross regional domestic product (GRDP) grew 11.33%, the highest first-half growth rate in five years. It ranked third nationwide and first among Vietnam's centrally governed cities.

According to him, the establishment of the Specialized Economic Zone and approval of the Southern Hai Phong Coastal Economic Zone master plan provide an important legal foundation for creating new development space featuring modern governance, internationally competitive mechanisms, and the attraction of large-scale, high-tech and high-value-added investment projects.

High-tech industries and green growth

The policy framework for the Hai Phong Free Trade Zone is based on National Assembly Resolution No. 226, which authorizes pilot special mechanisms and policies for the city's development, while implementing broader Party policies on foreign-invested and marine economic development.

Under Prime Minister's Decision No. 288, the Specialized Economic Zone will focus on high-tech industries including artificial intelligence, robotics, big data, chemicals, and research and development (R&D).

Meanwhile, the Southern Hai Phong Coastal Economic Zone is planned as a comprehensive, multi-sector economic zone centered on high-tech manufacturing, modern urban development, seaports and logistics, following a green growth and circular economy model.

The Hai Phong Free Trade Zone, covering more than 6,292 hectares, will prioritize industries such as semiconductors, information technology, automation, high-tech supporting industries, digital infrastructure and logistics, with the goal of integrating more deeply into global supply chains.

The planned Nam Do Son Port will be developed as a smart, green port connected to modern logistics facilities and rail infrastructure, supporting Hai Phong's ambition to become a leading trade, logistics and maritime economy hub in East Asia.

New investment commitments

At the ceremony, Hai Phong awarded 13 investment registration certificates and signed two memoranda of understanding with businesses, representing total registered and committed investment of more than US$3.1 billion.

The city also reaffirmed plans to prioritize strategic infrastructure projects, including the Lach Huyen Deep-water Port, Nam Do Son Port, the expansion of Cat Bi International Airport, the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway, coastal expressways, and regional and international logistics networks.

Alongside infrastructure development, Hai Phong plans to strengthen workforce training and expand cooperation among government, educational institutions and businesses to meet demand in high-tech industries, digital transformation and international integration.

Hoai Anh