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| Mr. Phan Quy Phuong, Member of the Standing Committee of Hue Party Committee and Head of Hue Economic and Industrial Zones |
According to Mr. Phan Quy Phuong, Hue benefits from its strategic location along the North-South axis and its connection to the East-West Economic Corridor. The city is also supported by an increasingly developed transport network, particularly Chan May - Lang Co Economic Zone, which includes Chan May Port. These advantages provide a solid foundation for expanding industries linked to logistics, import-export activities, port services, and regional supply chains. In addition, Hue has a strong foundation in industrial infrastructure, seaports, and human resources, while also having the potential to develop industries in line with its new development orientation, including processing and manufacturing, supporting industries, logistics, high-tech industry, and green industries.
As a centrally governed municipality, Hue needs to shift its focus from simply attracting more projects to prioritizing high-quality investments with advanced technology, high added value, and strong potential to drive broader economic growth. This is where the industrial sector has the greatest room to further contribute to the city’s development.
How do you assess the development of economic and industrial zones in the locality in recent years?
It can be said that the city’s network of economic and industrial zones is establishing itself as one of its key spaces for industrial development. In recent years, investment in industrial zone infrastructure has been gradually increased and improved, therefore attracting a range of projects across various sectors. In particular, Chan May - Lang Co Economic Zone is gaining a clear advantage as seaport infrastructure is being invested in and expanded, with infrastructure for projects at berths 4 and 5 of Chan May Port currently under construction and being accelerated. As the port’s capacity to handle cargo and ships increases, its role in Hue’s logistics and industrial chains is expected to grow.
In the first seven months of 2026, the Management Board of Economic and Industrial Zones of Hue City granted investment approval for 11 new projects, with total newly registered investment capital of VND 9.157 trillion and a combined area of approximately 1,182.25 hectares, up 723% year on year. Five projects also had their investment capital increased, with a combined additional amount of more than VND 118 billion. Total investment attracted reached approximately VND 9.275 trillion, equivalent to around 92.7% of the 2026 annual target.
At the same time, the Management Board selected investors for the infrastructure projects of industrial zones and non-tariff zones, covering approximately 1,177 hectares, with total registered capital of around VND 8.7 trillion. These include the VSIP Industrial Park project, covering over 467 hectares with total investment capital of VND 3.075 trillion. The projects are expected to break ground simultaneously in December 2026, contributing to the completion of the city’s industrial park and economic zone infrastructure system.
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| Chan May - Lang Co Economic Zone is establishing itself as one of the city’s key spaces for industrial development. Photo: Le Dinh Hoang |
However, we see these results as just the beginning. Hue’s industrial sector has yet to reach its full potential in terms of scale and quality, while high-value-added industries still account for a limited share. In the coming period, the focus will be on improving the quality of investment attraction and creating favorable conditions for existing projects to expand production, raise capacity, and engage more deeply in value chains.
Compared with other localities in the region, what challenges does Hue face in developing its industrial sector?
Hue has a number of advantages, including its central position in the region, Chan May Port, a relatively large industrial land reserve, and a qualified workforce supported by a strong foundation in higher education and scientific research. These advantages make Hue an attractive destination for investors, particularly projects seeking a stable investment environment, a skilled workforce, and sustainable development.
However, connectivity infrastructure in some industrial parks remains incomplete; logistics costs still need to be improved; the scales of local industrial businesses are relatively small; supporting industries remain underdeveloped; and linkages between FDI businesses and domestic businesses are still limited. In addition, Hue faces direct competition from other localities with relatively well-developed industrial ecosystems. Therefore, competing primarily on land incentives or investment costs would make it difficult to create a distinctive advantage for attracting investment.
Hue’s competitive advantage in the coming period must be built on better infrastructure, faster infrastructure procedures, and stronger support services for businesses. At the same time, the city needs to identify industries that align with its own strengths to pursue sustainable industrial development.
What measures will the Management Board of Economic and Industrial Zones of Hue City take to address existing challenges, strengthen competitiveness, and attract large-scale, high-tech investment projects in the coming period?
At present, we are focusing on several key solutions. First of all, we will continue to identify and remove bottlenecks related to land, site clearance, and technical infrastructure, creating clean land and always being ready for large-scale projects. Investors are concerned not only about land costs but also about the time required to implement a project. Therefore, having sites, infrastructure, and administrative procedures prepared in advance is crucial.
Secondly, we will accelerate administrative reform. The city’s consistent approach is to shift from a management-oriented mindset to one of working alongside investors and projects, identifying emerging issues promptly, and coordinating solutions from the outset.
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| Infrastructure around Chan May Port continues to receive investment to complete the system |
Thirdly, reforming investment promotion by shifting from mass promotion to a more targeted approach, focusing on capable investors and sectors where Hue holds advantages. Priority will be given to processing and manufacturing, supporting industries, high-tech industries, logistics, green industries, and the efficient use of energy and resources.
Alongside attracting new projects, special attention should also be paid to businesses already operating in the city. They play an important role in industrial growth. Addressing their difficulties will enable them to expand investment, increase production capacity, and upgrade and modernize technology. These efforts will support sustainable development. At the same time, investment should continue to improve the infrastructure of the city’s economic and industrial zones, particularly transport links to Chan May Port, logistics infrastructure, and supporting services. With well-connected infrastructure in place, Hue will be better positioned to compete for large-scale, high-tech projects.
In your opinion, how will the city’s industrial sector, particularly its economic and industrial zones, contribute to the goal of achieving GRDP growth of 10% or higher?
To achieve GRDP growth of 10% or higher, the industrial sector must become one of the city’s key growth drivers, rather than merely serving as a supporter. The key point is that the industry can generate greater added value, jobs, and budget revenue, while also driving the development of other sectors, including logistics, transport, trade, services, urban development, and human resource training. A large-scale industrial project, when implemented effectively, can create value not only within the factory or company itself but also throughout the supply chain.
Hue’s development orientation is to build a modern, green, and high-tech industrial sector with greater added value, while linking industrial development with logistics and the marine economy. In particular, Chan May - Lang Co Economic Zone has been identified as a particularly important development area, especially as port capacity and connectivity infrastructure continue to improve.
We affirm that the city will not only focus on attracting projects, but more importantly, on ensuring that they are in the right sectors, aligned with the city’s orientation, and capable of creating broader impacts on the local economy.
We believe that once the challenges and obstacles mentioned above are addressed, the industrial sector will make a breakthrough, achieve new growth, and make a positive contribution to the goal of GRDP growth of 10% or higher, while laying a foundation for the city’s socio-economic development.
Thank you for your sharing!