Thailand’s WHA seeks special mechanisms for two industrial zone projects in central Vietnam

WHA Industrial Zone Nghe An, a unit of WHA Group - Thailand's leader in fully-integrated logistics and industrial facilities solution - has submitted a proposal to Nghe An province authorities seeking to have its projects included in the list of those eligible for special mechanisms.

The government issued a resolution on September 21, 2025 on special policies and mechanisms aimed at easing obstacles in the implementation of the 2024 Law on Geology and Minerals, the company said.

To implement the resolution, Nghe An province later issued a directive, asking relevant departments to review projects eligible for the special mechanisms.

WHA is currently developing two projects: WHA Industrial Zone 1 – Nghe An (WHA Zone 1) and WHA Industrial Zone 2 – Nghe An (WHA Zone 2).

WHA Zone 1 received the Prime Minister’s in-principle approval in 2017. Located within the Dong Nam Economic Zone, it is a well-developed industrial zone with a total area of 2,100 hectares.

Its first phase offers 498 hectares of international-standard infrastructure for industrial investors and also accommodates residential and commercial projects, WHA Vietnam said on its website.

Meanwhile, WHA Zone 2 project got the Prime Minister’s in-principle approval in 2024. Spanning 183 hectares, this milestone development meets the increasing demand for international standard industrial land in Vietnam’s thriving manufacturing hub, firmly establishing Nghe An province as a key destination for global investment.

Strategically located near Vinh town and adjacent to the North-South Expressway, WHA Zone 2 offers unparalleled connectivity to key transportation networks, including National Route 7C, Cua Lo Port, and Vinh International Airport.

This accessibility, combined with a large and educated workforce, positions the zone as an ideal site for high-value industries, including electronics, electrical appliances, telecommunications, automotive, packaging, construction materials, and consumer goods, according to WHA Vietnam.

WHA Industrial Zone Nghe An is currently fast-tracking procedures related to environmental impact assessment, feasibility study, fire‑safety design, and site clearance for the WHA Zone 2 project.

WHA Industrial Zone Nghe An said its projects have made significant contributions to local socio-economic development, boosting FDI inflows, promoting industrial growth and trade, and creating employment opportunities for local residents.

For these reasons, it has asked for the inclusion of the WHA Zone 1 and Zone 2 projects in the list of socio-economic development projects eligible for special policies and mechanisms, to facilitate access to land and sand materials needed for these developments.

It is estimated that the combined upcoming demand for land and sand for the projects is around 3 million cubic meters, with WHA Zone 1 requiring 200,000 cubic meters and WHA Zone 2 needing 2.8 million cubic meters.

While WHA Zone 2 is still finalizing investment approvals, WHA Zone 1 had completed technical infrastructure as of November 2025, drawing 35 investors with nearly $1.5 billion in commitments.

The zone reached 60% occupancy, with over 17 factories in operation employing more than 10,000 workers. Full-scale operations across all plants are projected to generate over 100,000 jobs.

For three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024, Nghe An ranked among the top 10 localities in Vietnam for FDI attraction.