Nghe An (VNA) – The central province of Nghe A is intensifying efforts to remove bottlenecks and improve the investment climate as it seeks to sustain strong foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows.
Despite global uncertainties related to tariffs, geopolitical tensions and conflicts in several regions, the central province has maintained its position among Vietnam’s leading destinations for FDI.
In 2025, the provincial People’s Committee licensed 25 new FDI projects and approved capital adjustments for 20 others, bringing the total newly registered and additional investment to more than 1 billion USD. Many large-scale projects in the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone have already become operational, contributing to export growth, state budget revenues and job creation.
Currently, 170 enterprises are operating in the province’s economic zones and industrial parks, employing more than 64,000 workers.
Looking ahead, Nghe An’s FDI prospects remain positive as major transport and logistics infrastructure projects are planned or underway. These include the North–South high-speed railway, the Vinh–Thanh Thuy expressway, the upgrade of Vinh International Airport, and construction of the Cua Lo deep-water port, which is expected to become operational in early 2027.
The Quynh Lap LNG-to-power project, linked with Dong Hoi seaport, is also expected to be launched in 2026, helping ensure energy supply for industrial production.
Nguyen Manh Loi, deputy head of the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone Authority, said the province still has more than 1,000 hectares of industrial land available in the VSIP, WHA and Hoang Mai industrial parks, including around 600 hectares of cleared land ready for large-scale investment projects.
Bui Thanh An, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, emphasised that the business community, particularly industrial park infrastructure investors, has made important contributions to local economic growth and value creation.
To achieve its targeted GRDP growth of 10.5–11.5% in 2026, the province plans to further improve the investment and business environment, accompany investors in addressing difficulties, and accelerate the implementation of key projects to create new development momentum.
Administrative reforms are also being strengthened. In December 2025, the provincial People’s Committee approved a plan to simplify administrative procedures under the management of the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone Authority.
Under the plan, processing time for construction-related procedures has been reduced by about 40%. For instance, appraisal time for feasibility studies has been cut from 35 days to 21 days for Group A projects, from 25 days to 15 days for Group B projects, and from 15 days to 9 days for Group C projects. The time required for environmental impact assessment appraisal has also been shortened significantly from 50 days to 18 days.
Alongside administrative reforms, the province is promoting stronger connections between businesses and workers. Meeting labour demand is one of the “five readiness” commitments that Nghe An has identified to attract investors.
In 2026, to meet the demand for around 90,000 workers in economic zones and industrial parks, the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone Authority plans to organise three large-scale job fairs at the VSIP, WHA, Hoang Mai 1 and Hoang Mai 2 industrial parks.
The first job fair of the year, recently held at VSIP Nghe An Industrial Park, attracted 20 enterprises recruiting more than 70,000 workers in sectors such as electronics assembly, precision mechanics, garment production and supporting industries.
According to organisers, the event drew more than 1,700 participants, including job seekers, students and parents exploring employment opportunities.
Local authorities also aim to accelerate social housing projects for workers near major industrial parks and simplify procedures to help employees access housing quickly and stabilise their lives close to workplaces.
Officials believe that as more major corporations establish operations in the province, new factories and industrial facilities will create more employment opportunities, enabling local workers to secure stable jobs with competitive incomes while remaining close to home./.
