Vietnam's Dong Nai eyes $16bn free trade zone near Long Thanh airport

The project, developed by the provincial Department of Finance in partnership with Airports Corporation of Vietnam, is projected to cost US$16 billion and cover nearly 8,300 hectares.

It will be strategically located near Long Thanh Airport, Phuoc An Port, and several key industrial parks in the province.

The proposed zone will feature four primary components: a 3,095-hectare manufacturing area, a 2,244-hectare logistics zone, a 1,500-hectare cluster for finance and trade services, and a 1,419-hectare research center dedicated to innovation, information technology, and the digital economy.

Designed to attract 18 priority sectors, the zone will focus on industries such as digital logistics, electronics, mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, food processing, IT, and human resource development.

It will benefit from both its airport and seaport proximity, forming an integrated hub for transport, commerce, and finance.

Besides, the zone will also be linked with the planned Cai Mep Ha free trade zone in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, which will be officially merged with Ho Chi Minh City on July 1.

Planners intend to integrate the zone with Ho Chi Minh City’s upcoming international financial center, giving businesses in the area easier access to capital, training programs, and a skilled workforce.

If approved, this would be the first free trade zone in Vietnam to combine airport and seaport logistics with export processing, financial services, research, and trade under one cohesive plan.

The zone is expected to begin infrastructure development and initial investment attraction by 2028.

It is estimated that 35-40 percent of the developed land will be operational by 2030, attracting around $8.4 billion in investment.

Vietnamese enterprises—both private and state-owned—are expected to contribute at least 30 percent of its export volume by 2030 and 50 percent by 2035.

Exports of 'Made in Vietnam' goods from the zone to the U.S. and European Union are forecast to reach $5 billion by 2030 and double to $10 billion by 2035.

The zone is projected to create 150,000 jobs by 2030, expanding to around 250,000 by 2040, mainly in key sectors including semiconductors, aerospace, electronics, biotechnology, and information technology.