The development of Lien Chieu Port is opening a new chapter for the marine economy of Da Nang, positioning the central city to become a major logistics and maritime hub in central Vietnam and the wider region.
For decades, Tien Sa Port has served as the main maritime gateway for the central region. Located at the end of the East – West Economic Corridor, it has handled both cargo and international cruise ships, supporting trade and tourism flows across the central and Central Highlands regions of Vietnam.
However, as demand has grown, the dual-use model at Tien Sa has revealed limitations, with increasing pressure on space and operations. Under the new development plan, Tien Sa will gradually shift towards tourism and cruise services while large-scale cargo handling will be transferred to Lien Chieu Port.
Situated at the foot of Hai Van Pass in the northern part of Da Nang Bay, Lien Chieu Port is being developed as a strategic infrastructure project. As approved by the Prime Minister, this port will cover around 450 ha (comprising land and water surface) with total investment exceeding 45 trillion VND (over 1.7 billion USD) and is designed to handle up to 50 million tonnes of cargo annually. It is expected to become an international gateway port for the central coastal region.
Initial phases will allow the port to receive general cargo vessels of up to 100,000 tonnes and container ships of 6,000–8,000 TEUs, with future expansion enabling accommodation of vessels up to 18,000 TEUs. Several important components, including a 1.17km breakwater and a shipping channel stretching over 7km, have already been completed, laying the groundwork for upcoming container terminals.
Le Thanh Hung, head of Da Nang’s management unit of priority infrastructure projects, said that the investment in Lien Chieu Port reflects the long-term strategic vision of central and municipal authorities. The facility is expected to become a special port – an international gateway port in the central region – to participate deeply in the global maritime transport supply chain and create a sustainable growth impetus for the city as well as the entire region.
He informed that the first container berths are scheduled to have construction started this year and could become operational by late 2028. Once in service, the port will significantly enhance cargo throughput capacity, reduce logistics costs and attract more international shipping lines to central Vietnam.
Beyond its role as a seaport, Lien Chieu is envisioned as the nucleus of a broader logistics ecosystem. The project is closely linked with plans to develop logistics centres, a free trade zone and a multimodal transport network, thereby expanding the development space of Da Nang’s marine economy and strengthening its position in global supply chains.
Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Pham Duc An emphasised that Lien Chieu Port will be instrumental in creating new growth drivers.
The port is also expected to integrate with a chain of ports in the central region, including Tien Sa and Chu Lai – Ky Ha in Da Nang, Chan May in Hue, Dung Quat in Quang Ngai, and Quy Nhon in Gia Lai, forming a continuous maritime corridor along the central coast. This network will improve connectivity for the central and Central Highlands regions while linking directly to the East – West Economic Corridor, opening new logistics routes connecting Vietnam with Laos, Thailand and beyond.
Notably, some ports in the region have already begun to demonstrate this potential. At Chu Lai Port, for example, new international container shipping routes have been established, helping expand trading capacity and the logistics network. This signals the emergence of a new logistics corridor in central Vietnam.
In this evolving landscape, Lien Chieu Port is seen as a “gateway to the sea” for Da Nang. Alongside port and logistics development, the city is also advancing plans for an international financial centre, focusing on finance, investment, fintech and asset management services aimed at the Asia-Pacific market.
With strategic planning, large-scale infrastructure and supportive policies converging, Lien Chieu Port is poised to play a transformative role in unlocking Da Nang’s marine economic potential and elevating the city’s standing as a regional logistics and maritime hub.
