Chinese expert advises Vietnam on free trade zone development
Vietnam is preparing to develop three FTZs in Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Ba Ria – Vung Tau, with plans to expand to other localities with strong air and rail connectivity, beyond just those with seaports
Deputy PM Nguyen Chi Dung (R) and CCSEZR Director Tao Yitao (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Tao Yitao, Director of the China Centre for Special Economic Zone Research (CCSEZR) under Shenzhen University in China's Guangdong province, advised Vietnam to utilise China’s expertise in developing higher-standard free trade zones during a working session in Hanoi on April 17 with Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung.
Tao shared insights from her delegation’s field surveys in Binh Duong, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hai Phong, saying that through in-depth discussions with local authorities, they identified transportation, energy, and digital transformation as critical factors for successful FTZ development.
She underscored the pivotal role of digital economy and high technology, advising regions to capitalise on their unique strengths and growth drivers. Drawing on China’s experience, she proposed pilot FTZ projects in one or two cities to test new industries. If successful, these models could be scaled nationwide; if not, the economic impact would be limited.
At the reception (Photo: VNA)
Citing Ho Chi Minh City as an example, Tao suggested designing its FTZ to drive growth for surrounding areas, focusing on hi-tech industries, finance, and modern services thanks to its ability to attract skilled talent. For the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau, she recommended prioritising the seaport industry.
The delegation highlighted China’s FTZ models in Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and Xinjiang, which integrate diverse foreign and domestic enterprises and specialised sub-zones beyond core trade functions.
Deputy PM Dung praised Tao and CCSEZR for their insights and urged further consultations on the management of goods circulation within FTZs, taxation, talent retention and training, and global FTZ trends, particularly Shenzhen’s governance model.
Vietnam is preparing to develop three FTZs in Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Ba Ria – Vung Tau, with plans to expand to other localities w🅠ith strong air and rail connectivity, beyond just those with seaports, he said./.
The central city of Da Nang is actively collaborating with central ministries and agencies to swiftly implement specific mechanisms and policies for the city’s development under the National Assembly's Resolution 136/2024/QH15, particularly regarding the pilot establishment of a free trade zone (FTZ).
National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on April 11 visited China’s Shanghai Free-Trade Zone (SHFTZ) and met with leaders of the municipal People’s Congress and administration of Shanghai as well as the zone.
The North-South Expressway project is scheduled for completion by 2030, aiming to establish the groundwork for Vietnam’s modern railway industry and stimulate regional economic development, positioning the country for a significant economic leap in the era of national rise.
The probe, initiated on June 11 following a petition by the US Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, targets products classified under HS Code 4412 and 9403 imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was born as a perfect piece in Sun Group’s strategic vision to build a premium ecosystem of tourism, entertainment, real estate, and aviation. With a pioneering ambition, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not just an airline, but a symbol of connection – bringing the world to Phu Quoc and taking Phu Quoc to the world.
A key change in the draft decree is a provision requiring bank transfers for gold transactions valued at 20 million VND (765 USD) and above, to enhance transparency and verify customer identities.
In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia surpassed 3 billion USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
On June 19 alone, a total of 2,005 trucks completed customs clearance at Lang Son’s border gates — the highest single-day figure ever recorded in the province. Of these, 634 carried exports and 1,371 imports.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
Outcomes of ABAC III will shape ABAC’s final policy recommendations to be submitted to the ABAC-APEC leaders’ dialogue, scheduled to take place in the Republic of Korea this November.
This is the second year the magazine has released the ranking, which is based on total revenue and key financial indicators of enterprises from seven countries in the region: Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Cambodia.
At the summit, publishing, tech, and media sectors will discuss emerging trends, business models, and sustainable solutions for digital publishing development in Vietnam.
This year’s “Vietnam Goods Week” marks a significant milestone as it is being held simultaneously for the first time in four locations across Asia: Japan, Hong Kong (China), Cambodia, and Malaysia, from June 19 - 22.
