Van Don Special Economic Zone envisioned to be green, modern urban

The northern province of Quang Ninh has envisioned turning the Van Don special administrative-economic zone into a smart and green island urban area, according to Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Doc.

The special administrative-economic zone is located in Van Don district, which has a total land area of 581.13 sq.km and sea area of 1,620 sq.km with a population of over 46,000. 

The district has a politically and economically important position as it lies on the strategic transit route from East Asia to Southeast Asia and from ASEAN to China, in Vietnam-China “two corridors, one belt” cooperation area, in Nanning-Singapore economic corridor, and in the extended Tonkin Gulf inter-regional cooperation area.

Van Don is one of the three special administrative-economic zones designated by a Government-approved plan; the other two are Van Phong in the central province of Khanh Hoa and Phu Quoc in the southern province of Kien Giang. The zones will pilot key new economic and administrative policies before they are applied nationwide to develop the maritime economy.

Quang Ninh is working on a master plan of and a law on Van Don special administrative economic zone, guided by the aim to build Van Don into a dynamic economic centre with focus on services, high-end tourism and high-tech industries. The zone is expected to become a centre for startups, innovation and international trade.

The zone will apply an environmentally-friendly development model with a streamlined administrative apparatus and competitive policies in order to tap the local distinctive potentials to the fullest extent and to attract investment and talent.

The modern zone is expected to spearhead the province’s growth, consolidating Quang Ninh’s position as a leading economy in the northern region while ensuring national defence and security.

The master plan of Van Don will define the local advantages with a view to pinpointing goals and priorities for development, draft a long-term development strategy for the zone and propose management model and apparatus.

The province organised a conference to collect advice from the Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE) in France on the master plan and invited Kien Giang and Khanh Hoa provinces to a workshop on the special administrative-economic zone master plan.

Secretary Nguyen Van Doc stressed that the province hopes to put forward unprecedented mechanisms and policies for the zone to give it competition edge internationally.

He said that the province will hire foreign consultants to draw up socio-economic development plans for the zone and revise the blueprint for Van Don economic zone to suit the new status as a special administrative-economic zone as directed by the Politburo at Conclusion No.21-TB/TW on March 22, 2017.

A line-up of domestic giant groups like Sungroup and FLC have been pouring investment in Van Don district, including Van Don International Airport, Van Don luxury resort-entertainment complex with casino and many other high-end resorts.

The master plan of and law on the Van Dong special administrative economic zone are scheduled to be submitted to the National Assembly’s fourth meeting in October for consideration.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam accelerates innovation to boost growth, competitiveness

Vietnam accelerates innovation to boost growth, competitiveness

By 2030, Vietnam aims to rank among the world’s top 40 in the GII; raise total social investment in R&D to at least 2% of GDP, with non-State funding accounting for over 60%; increase international scientific publications by an average of 10% annually; and raise the number of patent applications and granted patents by an average of 16-18% annually.

Vietnam sees high growth prospects

Vietnam sees high growth prospects

Experts from the Institute of Vietnam and World Economy under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences noted the quality of recent growth as the high growth rate has been recorded against an increasingly higher comparative base.

Vietnam seeks bigger share of global Halal market

Vietnam seeks bigger share of global Halal market

Vietnam's Halal exports remain modest at around 900 million USD a year, accounting for less than 1% of the global market. Most exports are still raw agricultural and seafood products. Only around 1,000–1,300 Vietnamese businesses obtained or maintained Halal certification during 2024–2026.

Hanoi sets up inter-agency mechanism to operate carbon market

Hanoi sets up inter-agency mechanism to operate carbon market

Under a decision of the municipal People’s Committee on establishing an inter-agency working group, departments and agencies are responsible for identifying facilities subject to greenhouse gas inventories, developing emissions-reduction plans and studying projects capable of generating carbon credits.

Shrimp exports reach 3.3 billion USD in eight months

Shrimp exports reach 3.3 billion USD in eight months

According to data from the Vietnam Customs cited by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), shrimp exports reached 478.5 million USD in August, up 4.2% from the same month last year. The eight-month total stood at 3.3 billion USD, representing a year-on-year increase of 12%.

Russian investors explore opportunities in Vietnam's real estate market

Russian investors explore opportunities in Vietnam's real estate market

Vietnam is seen as a potential market, with considerable room for growth in real estate, particularly commercial property, compared with some regional markets. Strong Vietnam-Russia ties and opportunities to establish foreign-invested enterprises are also considered favourable for Russian investors.

Phu Quoc airport planning adjusted to serve APEC 2027

Phu Quoc airport planning adjusted to serve APEC 2027

For 2021-2030, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam proposed bringing forward the investment in a parallel taxiway system and a connecting taxiway north of Runway No. 2 at Phu Quoc International Airport, in order to connect with the aircraft maintenance and repair facility (hangar) planned for the northern area of ​​the airport.

Policy, infrastructure emerge as new advantages in FDI attraction

Policy, infrastructure emerge as new advantages in FDI attraction

From policy and infrastructure to industrial real estate, Vietnam’s FDI advantages are broadening towards a more integrated production ecosystem, offering investors a stronger combination of conditions for high-value, technology-intensive and long-term projects.

Logistics upgrade vital to 1-trillion-USD trade target: experts

Logistics upgrade vital to 1-trillion-USD trade target: experts

As trade expands, systemic bottlenecks across transport networks, warehousing, ports, border gates, and industrial zones are becoming more apparent. Experts emphasise the need to shift from a fragmented, project-by-project approach toward strategic management structured around trade corridors and integrated supply chains.

Ample room for Vietnam, US to deepen cooperation

Ample room for Vietnam, US to deepen cooperation

Do Ngoc Hung, Trade Counsellor and head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the US, said what stands out is not only the growth in trade volume but also the increasingly deep economic ties between the two countries.

Flexible fiscal policy helps drive economic growth

Flexible fiscal policy helps drive economic growth

According to the Ministry of Finance, State budget revenue in the first eight months of 2026 was estimated at 2.02 quadrillion VND (77.7 billion USD), equivalent to 80% of the annual estimate and up 16% year-on-year. Domestic revenue reached 1.75 quadrillion VND, accounting for 86.6% of total revenue and rising 16.6%.

Electronic components are produced at a factory in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi's imports surge 41% in first eight months of 2026

Hanoi aims to achieve average annual export growth of at least 12% during 2026-30, with the city seeking to diversify export markets, boost high-tech and value-added products and reduce reliance on traditional markets.