HCMC – Dong Nai Province in southern Vietnam has proposed establishing a pilot free trade zone near Long Thanh International Airport and Phuoc An Port to enhance international trade.
The proposal was made during a meeting with the National Assembly’s (NA) Economic and Financial Committee on March 26, where provincial leaders requested approval from the Politburo, the NA, and the Government, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
The free trade zone is expected to support foreign trade and make the most of the province’s strategic location. Vietnam currently lacks specific regulations on such zones, and the provincial leaders called for prompt planning to provide practical insights for policymaking.
Dong Nai also proposed submitting applications for a high-tech park and an information technology hub without waiting for national land-use plan updates. Additional requests included a higher budget retention rate and policy adjustments to resolve real estate project challenges.
The province has a total land area of over 586,000 hectares, with around 460,000 hectares used for agriculture. By 2030, more than 27,000 hectares of agricultural land is expected to be converted to industrial and defense purposes.
Doan Thi Thanh Mai, deputy chairwoman of the NA’s Economic and Financial Committee, said insights from the meeting would help adjust policies to improve land management and regional development.
The proposed free trade zone could boost Vietnam’s logistics network and attract foreign investment, aligning with the country’s goal to strengthen its position as a regional trade hub.
