Long An (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of Long An plans to harness its potential and advantages through breakthrough, targeted, and comprehensive initiatives to enhance its Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI).
Most recently, the province was recognised among the top performers nationwide in administrative reform and investment attraction.
Accelerating investment climate
At a recent ceremony hosted by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Long An received two prestigious accolades in Hanoi: second place for reform achievements over the 20 years of PCI implementation (2005–2024) and third place in the 2024 PCI rankings out of 63 provinces and cities.
These results highlight Long An’s impressive progress over the past two decades. The success stems not only from strategic efforts to improve the local business environment but also from a forward-thinking governance approach that puts businesses at the centre, committed to supporting and enabling their growth.
The province has consistently advanced administrative reform, strengthened transparency, upgraded infrastructure, developed human capital, and ensured public order. It has also embraced digital transformation to deliver more efficient and accessible public services.
According to Nguyen Van Ut, Chairman of the Long An provincial People’s Committee, the province is committed to investment promotion with quality, efficiency, technological innovation, and environmental protection as top priorities. He noted that Long An is focusing on attracting major investors with strong financial capacity and cutting-edge technology to invest in key sectors.
Working alongside businesses
The provincial government continues to work closely with the business community, directing departments and localities to step up administrative reform, particularly in investment, business registration, land use, construction, and the environment.
Long An is undertaking comprehensive digitalisation to improve the accessibility of online public services for enterprises and investors.
Provincial leaders have introduced Long An to major corporations at home and abroad, often travelling overseas to engage directly with global investors. These efforts have played a vital role in creating a dynamic and attractive investment climate.
As a result, many prominent domestic and international firms have visited the province to explore opportunities, with several already initiating strategic projects. This innovative approach to investment promotion helped Long An rank among the top 10 most appealing destinations for major enterprises in 2024.
In the first quarter of 2025 alone, Long An secured 17 out of 20 new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in the Mekong Delta region. By the end of Q1, the province had recorded 2,278 domestic direct investment (DDI) projects with a combined registered capital of over 511 trillion VND (approximately 20.2 billion USD) and 1,409 FDI projects worth around 12.78 billion USD.
Enhancing competitiveness further
Long An introduced its own Department and District Competitiveness Index (DDCI) in 2023, modelled on the national PCI. The DDCI measures the economic governance performance of provincial departments, agencies, and district-level authorities.
Initial survey results show that most businesses operating in Long An view the investment climate positively, citing ongoing improvements in public service transparency and efficiency. These findings provide a valuable basis for fine-tuning policies and fostering a more open, reliable, and investor-friendly environment.
Looking ahead, the province will continue to build on its competitive advantages by promoting regional connectivity, modernising infrastructure, advancing administrative reforms, and adopting new approaches to investment promotion.
Long An also plans to strengthen digitalisation and make investment-related information more accessible to improve the overall business environment.
According to Tran Van Tuoi, Deputy Director of the Long An Department of Finance, the province's strategic location—serving as the gateway to the Mekong Delta and adjacent to Ho Chi Minh City—has enabled it to mobilise substantial resources for infrastructure development, especially in transport.
This has further reinforced Long An’s appeal, with around 70% of all FDI projects in the Mekong Delta now concentrated in the province./.
