Northern Vietnam province Ninh Binh plans multi-sector coastal economic zone as new growth engine

Ninh Binh province aims to transform its Ninh Co Economic Zone into a multi-sector coastal economic hub, creating a new growth driver for the locality and Vietnam's southern Red River Delta region.

The provincial People's Committee recently reviewed a draft master plan for the Ninh Co Economic Zone through 2050. The proposed economic zone will cover around 13,950 hectares of land and an additional 16,000 hectares of sea area.

It is designed to become a comprehensive marine economic zone centered on industry, logistics, urban development, and tourism.

Under the draft plan, the zone's spatial structure will comprise one coastal development corridor, three key connectivity axes and two major economic centers, integrated with transport infrastructure, seaports, logistics facilities and specialized functional areas.

Authorities also plan to develop synchronized infrastructure to attract investment while promoting marine economic activities in line with national defence requirements and climate resilience objectives.

The population of the Ninh Co Economic Zone is projected to reach around 95,000 by 2030 and increase to 265,000 by 2050.

The zone will be divided into four functional sub-zones. Zone 1, located in Hai Thinh commune, will focus on urban services and coastal tourism and resort development. Zone 2, in Rang Dong commune, will be developed into an urban, industrial and inland port services area.

Zone 3 will serve as the industrial, logistics and science-technology center associated with the seaport system. Zone 4 will be reserved for mangrove ecosystem conservation to protect the environment, preserve ecological balance, and enhance climate adaptation.

During the 2026-2030 period, Ninh Binh plans to prioritize investment in backbone infrastructure, including the Cao Bo Expressway extension to the sea, coastal roads, seaport and logistics infrastructure, and other key facilities intended to attract large-scale investment projects and accelerate the development of the marine economy.

Ha Nam, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh were merged last July to form the current Ninh Binh province, which borders Hung Yen, Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa, Hanoi and the East Sea.

The province now has an area of 3,942 square kilometers and population of 4.4 million people. Its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) was estimated at VND187.79 trillion ($7.15 billion), up 10.65% year-on-year.

As of May, Ninh Binh had 871 valid foreign-invested projects totalling $15.7 billion, according to local authorities.