Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for the establishment of free trade zones (FTZs) in key economic regions and the exploration of duty-free ports as part of a broader effort to stimulate economic growth, attract investment and position Vietnam as a leading logistics hub in the digital era.
The initiative is part of Directive 47, which outlines urgent tasks and strategic measures aimed at accelerating national growth this year.
The development of free trade zones and duty-free ports is seen as a strategic move to boost Vietnam's global competitiveness, particularly in trade and logistics.
By improving the distribution of goods, these initiatives aim to strengthen the country’s position in international markets.
The plan comes amid calls for bold institutional and infrastructure reforms to ensure high and sustainable economic growth.
Vo Tan Duc, chairman of the People’s Committee of Dong Nai province, has proposed a 2,000ha pilot free trade zone near Long Thanh International Airport and Phuoc An Port during the recent working session with Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh.
The proposal, submitted to the Prime Minister in February, aims to leverage the region’s strategic location to spur economic growth, attract foreign investment and position Long Thanh as a key regional trade and services hub.
The project is expected to play a pivotal role in helping the province achieve double-digit GDP growth starting this year.
In parallel, the central coastal city of Da Nang is advancing its development ambitions through a newly signed memorandum of understanding with Vingroup.
The agreement, focused on green transformation and sustainable development for the 2025-30 period, includes plans to explore the establishment of a free trade zone and a financial centre.
During a recent working session with Vinh Phuc province, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh endorsed the province's proposal to establish a free trade zone and directed local authorities to urgently draft a detailed project for submission to the appropriate agencies./.
See more
Quang Tri backs VMS subscription fees for fishing vessels
Under a recently approved provincial resolution, the support will be disbursed once a year. Total funding for the three-year programme is estimated at more than 12.2 billion VND from the provincial budget, benefiting around 1,360 vessels across the province.
Vietnam to release 2026 economic census data seven months earlier
Nguyen Thi Huong, head of the Standing Group of the Steering Committee of the 2026 Economic Census and Director of the National Statistics Office (NSO), said the first phase of data collection was underway nationwide and was scheduled to conclude on March 10.
Tailored mechanism for petrochemical refining and energy centre: Deputy PM
The project was approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on December 19, 2023. Previously, on December 5, 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting of the Government’s standing members to discuss proposed mechanisms and policies to step up the project.
Vietnam’s e-commerce set for safer, more sustainable growth under new law
Vietnam’s e-commerce sector is regarded as one of the most dynamic in the region. According to international research organisations, the country ranked third in Southeast Asia by market size in 2024 and fifth globally for e-commerce growth rate in 2022.
Spring Fair 2026: Weaving Tet colours through policy support
Hoang Dung, Director of Bac Thang Long Producing and Trading JSC, said the fair had provided both practical and moral support for enterprises in the garment and textile sector.
📝OP-ED: Decree 46 - Not proof of distorted “systemic failure”
Temporary suspensions, adjustments, or revisions of newly enacted policies are never ideal and should be minimised. Yet such course corrections occur worldwide, irrespective of a country's development stage or market-economy maturity. What counts is rapid remediation to contain losses, extraction of lessons to prevent recurrence, and firm resistance to the dissemination of misleading or hostile allegations, which will help both enforcers and those subject to compliance maintain clarity and composure.
Reference exchange rate drops 8 VND on February 10
With the current trading band of +/- 5%, the ceiling rate applicable for commercial banks during the day is 26,308 VND/USD, and the floor rate 23,802 VND/USD.
Vietnam, Brazil step up trade promotion cooperation
The Brazil–Vietnam Chamber of Commerce (BVC) and the Espirito Santo Chapter of the Brazil–Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCBV-ES) recently inked the MoU to enhance cooperation and expand business opportunities for enterprises from the two countries, with support from the Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil.
Vietnamese coffee in the value era: from production hub to global value partner
After more than a century of formation and development, the coffee industry has made Vietnam one of the world’s leading coffee producers
Vietnam accelerates green transition for seaports
In recent years, while expanding infrastructure and boosting operational efficiency, the country has steadily rolled out a national green port initiative to align with international standards and encourage sustainable growth in the maritime industry.
Container throughput at Vietnamese ports continues upward trend: MSB
Statistics from the Vietnam Maritime and Waterways Administration showed that the number of seagoing vessel calls through Vietnam’s seaport system reached 134,600 last year, up 32% year-on-year.
Spring Fair 2026: A platform toward sustainable Vietnam–Malaysia trade corridor
Vietnam’s trade fairs should become long-term gateways to cross-border trade corridors. With its role as a gateway to the global Halal market valued at about 2.5 trillion USD, Malaysia can serve as a launchpad for Vietnamese Halal goods to reach wider international markets.
19 additional aircraft to be deployed to serve Lunar New Year peak period
During the pre-Tet peak, several routes from Ho Chi Minh City to destinations such as Hue, Thanh Hoa, Vinh, Pleiku, Tuy Hoa, Quy Nhon, Chu Lai and Dong Hoi have recorded booking rates above 90%, with some reaching 100%. In contrast, return flights from localities to Ho Chi Minh City remain low, with many flights reporting booking rates below 35% and several operating as ferry flights to return aircraft.
Spring Fair 2026: Opportunities for businesses to expand connections
Many businesses are doing more than presenting product functions; they are also telling the story of their raw-material regions, production processes, and social and environmental responsibility. This reflects a clear transition: companies are no longer competing solely on price, but increasingly on perceived value and consumer trust.
Lotte Shopping posts strong growth driven by Vietnam
The Republic of Korea’s Lotte Shopping reported solid business performance in 2025, supported by strong growth in its shopping mall segment and impressive results in the Vietnam market.
Digital foundations help Vietnam tackle issues in fisheries management
The development and synchronous operation of specialised databases and software systems are helping shift fisheries management from manual, fragmented practices to a modern, integrated approach based on digital data.
Spring Fair 2026 offers opportunity to boost Vietnamese exports to Japan: trade counsellor
Specialised exhibitions and trade fairs offer Japanese companies opportunities to identify and diversify stable supply sources, while enabling Vietnamese businesses to engage directly with Japanese buyers and gain access to technologies, standards and management practices of Japan.
Spring Fair a strategic catalyst for Vietnamese firms to boost global competitiveness
The growing presence of foreign products at fairs like the Spring Fair is expected to create healthy competitive pressure, encouraging Vietnamese businesses to move beyond their comfort zones.
Spring Fair 2026 highlights strong potential for Australia–Vietnam business cooperation
Vietnam holds strengths in manufacturing, agriculture, exports and rapid digital transformation, while Australia offers high standards, transparent markets and strong international governance experience, making the two economies highly complementary.
Vietnam Airlines to launch first nonstop Hanoi–Amsterdam route
Nguyen Quang Trung, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines, said that the nonstop Hanoi–Amsterdam route marks an important milestone in the carrier’s European network expansion strategy. Its presence at one of the world’s leading aviation hubs will not only broaden the airline’s business opportunities but also help strengthen economic, trade and investment connection, as well as people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and the Netherlands, and Europe in general.