Vietnam looks to tap Chinese expertise in free trade zone development

By Minh Minh
Tue, April 2, 2024 | 5:41 pm GMT+7

A Vietnamese government delegation led by Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung has visited China to learn from its experiences in developing financial centers and free trade zones.

During a visit to Hainan province Monday and Tuesday, the delegation discussed policies related to development of free-trade ports and other issues with China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd., under China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd., and the Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung (second, right) tours the Haikou Integrated Free Trade Zone, Hainan province, China. Photo courtesy of Vietnam's Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung (second, right) tours the Haikou Integrated Free Trade Zone, Hainan province, China. Photo courtesy of Vietnam's Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The delegation also toured the Haikou Integrated Free Trade Zone, part of the Hainan Free Trade Port.

Dung’s entourage consists of senior officials from Hai Phong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Danang, localities with major seaports Vietnam.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment is the standing body for the Steering Committee on Development of Regional and International Financial Centers.

Last month, Minister Dung worked with Danang authorities on piloting the establishment of a free trade zone in the central coastal city that would cover both Lien Chieu port and Danang International Airport.

Liu Xiaoming, Governor of Hainan, expressed his wish to enhance trade links between the Chinese province and Vietnam, particularly with the localities of Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Earlier, on Friday, the delegation had a working session with the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone Authority to discuss the latter’s experiences in developing the city’s free trade zone.

The Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone has gone through six versions since 2013, expanding to 120 square kilometers from the original 20. Its one-stop shop has served some 600,000 businesses.

The Vietnamese delegation also visited the Global R&D Center, Jing’an CciC & iCampus by AstraZeneca in Shanghai, and attended the Shanghai Zoning Expo.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Café Amazon retreats, Mixue scales down in Vietnam over intense competition

Café Amazon retreats, Mixue scales down in Vietnam over intense competition

Vietnam’s food and beverage (F&B) sector is seeing a wave of closures and market exits as rising competition and shifting consumer preferences squeeze profit margins.

Economy - Sun, November 23, 2025 | 2:36 pm GMT+7

Vietnam Education Publishing House strengthens cooperation with Malaysia’s Pelangi Publishing Group

Vietnam Education Publishing House strengthens cooperation with Malaysia’s Pelangi Publishing Group

Vietnam Education Publishing House (VEPH) met with Malaysia’s Pelangi Publishing Group in mid November to expand professional exchange and explore deeper cooperation in educational publishing.

Companies - Sun, November 23, 2025 | 12:21 pm GMT+7

French energy giant plans $500 mln investment in green Vietnam projects

French energy giant plans $500 mln investment in green Vietnam projects

French green hydrogen infrastructure developer HDF Energy is looking to invest $500 million in potential energy and transport projects across Vietnam, particularly the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City.

Energy - Sun, November 23, 2025 | 11:29 am GMT+7

Vincom Retail estimated to book $72 mln profit from Hanoi mall sale: broker

Vincom Retail estimated to book $72 mln profit from Hanoi mall sale: broker

Vincom Retail (HoSE: VRE), Vietnam’s leading retail property developer, is set to record an estimated VND1.9 trillion ($72 million) in profit after completing the divestment of its entire equity interest in a Hanoi project last month, according to a report by BSC Securities.

Real Estate - Sun, November 23, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Market watchdog conference in central Vietnam offers insight into amended securities law

Market watchdog conference in central Vietnam offers insight into amended securities law

A conference recently held by the State Securities Commission (SSC) in Danang briefed companies and market participants in central Vietnam on amendments to the Securities Law and guiding documents, as part of the authority's 2025 legal dissemination plan.

Finance - Sat, November 22, 2025 | 9:48 pm GMT+7

Central Retail incurs 6% drop in Jan-Sept revenue from Vietnam

Central Retail incurs 6% drop in Jan-Sept revenue from Vietnam

Thailand’s top retailer Central Retail posted revenues of nearly THB35.48 billion ($1.09 billion) in Vietnam in the first nine months of this year, down 6.6% year-on-year due to exchange rate fluctuations.

Companies - Sat, November 22, 2025 | 3:32 pm GMT+7

Young leadership mindset drives SHB bank's next growth phase: exec

Young leadership mindset drives SHB bank's next growth phase: exec

Young leadership would play a pivotal role as Vietnamese businesses navigate digital transformation and rising global competition, said Do Quang Vinh, vice chairman cum deputy CEO of Saigon-Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB).

Banking - Sat, November 22, 2025 | 3:23 pm GMT+7

Stock market regulator holds final round of ESG-focused corporate governance contest in Hanoi

Stock market regulator holds final round of ESG-focused corporate governance contest in Hanoi

The final round of the “Vietnam ESG Challenge 2025”, a competition aimed at promoting sustainable development, modern corporate governance, and social responsibility among Vietnamese university students, took place in Hanoi on Monday.

Finance - Sat, November 22, 2025 | 10:16 am GMT+7

IFC, Vietnam's EVNNPT discuss investment in power transmission projects

IFC, Vietnam's EVNNPT discuss investment in power transmission projects

Vietnam's National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, have discussed issues related to potential cooperation and investment in power transmission projects under the Power Development Plan VIII (PDP VIII).

Companies - Sat, November 22, 2025 | 9:23 am GMT+7

Earnings strength meets market consolidation

Earnings strength meets market consolidation

Global appetite for emerging markets is still cautious, constrained by high returns in developed markets amid geopolitical uncertainty, while pressure on the Vietnamese dong has been compounded by seasonal FDI profit repatriation, writes Minh Dang, head of research at Dragon Capital.

Economy - Sat, November 22, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Phat Dat pursues HCMC housing project after a decade as it restructures property portfolio

Phat Dat pursues HCMC housing project after a decade as it restructures property portfolio

Phat Dat Real Estate Development Corp (PDR) has moved to acquire a 50% stake in AKYN Investment Trading Service JSC as part of efforts to revive a long-delayed residential project in central Ho Chi Minh City, the company said in a board resolution. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Real Estate - Fri, November 21, 2025 | 9:30 pm GMT+7

F88 wins dual workplace awards for 2025

F88 wins dual workplace awards for 2025

Vietnam’s consumer finance major F88 has been named one of "Vietnam Best Places to Work" and a “Happiness at Work” enterprise for 2025.

Companies - Fri, November 21, 2025 | 4:07 pm GMT+7

European IP developer CTP plans large industrial-logistics project in northern Vietnam port city

European IP developer CTP plans large industrial-logistics project in northern Vietnam port city

CTP, a Dutch-led industrial park developer headquartered in the Czech Republic, is exploring a large integrated complex combining seaports, an airport, logistics facilities and industrial parks in the northern port city of Hai Phong.

Infrastructure - Fri, November 21, 2025 | 3:24 pm GMT+7

Vingroup to build $334 mln international port in central Vietnam

Vingroup to build $334 mln international port in central Vietnam

Vietnam's leading private conglomerate Vingroup will develop a modern, large-scale international port named Son Duong at the Vung Ang Economic Zone in Ha Tinh province.

Infrastructure - Fri, November 21, 2025 | 3:10 pm GMT+7

HCMC ready to operate International Financial Center: city authorities

HCMC ready to operate International Financial Center: city authorities

Ho Chi Minh City has completed preparations across infrastructure, spatial planning, digital systems, organizational apparatus, and human resources to ensure Vietnam's International Financial Center can begin operating immediately after the Government issues its guiding decrees.

Economy - Fri, November 21, 2025 | 2:11 pm GMT+7

Hoa Phat Agriculture valued at over $450 mln ahead of IPO, ranking 2nd in Vietnam's livestock industry

Hoa Phat Agriculture valued at over $450 mln ahead of IPO, ranking 2nd in Vietnam's livestock industry

Hoa Phat Agriculture Development JSC (HPA) has been valued at more than $450 million based on its newly announced IPO price, making it the second-largest company in Vietnam’s livestock industry after Masan MeatLife.

Companies - Fri, November 21, 2025 | 11:26 am GMT+7