The result reflects not only the contribution of newly operational large-scale projects but also years of development of the Vung Ang EZ, and sustained efforts to attract investment.

In the early days of July, the Vung Ang Economic Zone was bustling, with steel mills, thermal power plants, and electric vehicle manufacturing facilities operating at full capacity. Alongside the plants, numerous construction sites were rushing to level ground and build factories and infrastructure for new industrial projects.

In Ha Tinh's growth picture, along with the development of other sectors, the Vung Ang Economic Zone continues to play a nuclear role, helping push the province's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in the first half of 2026 up by 12.79 percent, the highest in the country.

After nearly two decades of development, this area is not only a heavy industrial hub but is also forming a large-scale manufacturing ecosystem that combines metallurgy, energy, vehicle manufacturing, supporting industries, logistics, and deep-water seaports.

Previously, Ha Tinh's industrial growth depended significantly on the Formosa Ha Tinh Iron and Steel Complex. Today, the manufacturing structure has become more diversified as multiple new projects have consecutively entered operation, creating new growth poles.

In the energy sector, two turbines at the Vung Ang 1 Thermal Power Plant have been operating continuously during the peak hot months. Nguyen Mau Cam, deputy director of Ha Tinh PetroVietnam Power Company, stated that in the first six months, the plant produced around 4.1 billion kWh of electricity. Nearly 400 officers, engineers, and workers split into shifts to maintain stable system operations. 

The enterprise contributes between 150 and 300 billion VND to the budget annually, and power is always mobilized at maximum capacity to meet system demands, Cam said.

Meanwhile, at the Vung Ang II Thermal Power Plant, two turbines began commercial power generation in late January and early April, respectively. Ground was broken on this project in 2021, with an investment capital scale reaching up to $2.2 billion. 

This is a key Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) project in the locality and one of the national energy works of strategic significance. Implemented under the BOT model, the project owns two turbines with a total installed capacity of more than 1,330 MW.

In the Vung Ang Economic Zone, a new bright spot is the development of the VinFast ecosystem. For the first time, Ha Tinh's industrial production recorded an output of 37,676 electric cars, 74,350 electric motorbikes, more than 11 million battery cell products, and around 42,000 battery pack products in the first half of the year. 

This shows that the locality is gradually expanding from metallurgical industries and energy into sectors with higher technological content.

Supported by growth across multiple industries, Ha Tinh's Industrial Production Index (IIP) rose 32.83 percent year-on-year in the first six months of the year.

New investment lays foundation for next growth cycle

Ha Tinh's strong economic performance has also been fueled by a steady pipeline of new investment projects entering the Vung Ang Economic Zone and industrial parks across the province.

Among the largest are the VinMetal Ha Tinh Steel Plant, with total investment approaching VND80 trillion; Vung Ang III LNG Power Plant, worth more than VND51.43 trillion; and the VinFast Ha Tinh Electric Motorcycle Plant, with investment exceeding VND13.25 trillion, alongside numerous industrial and infrastructure projects.

In addition, LNG storage terminals and import infrastructure, including projects led by PV GAS, are moving forward as part of efforts to establish Vung Ang as a regional industrial and energy hub.

These projects capitalize on Ha Tinh's advantages, including its deep-water port, transport infrastructure, and available industrial land.

Once operational, they are expected not only to expand production capacity but also to stimulate demand for logistics, port services, supporting industries, and skilled labor, creating broader spillover effects across the local economy.

Ha Tinh is preparing for its next stage of development by expanding industrial space, improving transport connectivity, and proposing new policies to strengthen its investment competitiveness.

Thien Luong - Duy Tuan