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Proposal to Study the Establishment of a Free Trade Zone Near Long Thanh Airport

(News Portal – Dong Nai) - At the Government Conference with localities to implement the conclusions of the Central Committee, National Assembly resolutions, and Government directives on economic growth held on February 21, the Chairman of Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee proposed to the Prime Minister to allow the province to study the establishment of a free trade zone (FTZ) near Long Thanh International Airport. 

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Dong Nai Province Proposes Researching the Establishment of a Free Trade Zone Near Long Thanh Airport 

Promoting Growth Goals

As part of a series of short-term solutions to achieve double-digit growth starting from 2025, Dong Nai is currently finalizing the dossier for establishing a centralized information technology zone and seeking the Prime Minister's approval to study the establishment of a free trade zone and a high-tech park to build digital databases and transform the province's growth model. "Dong Nai proposes that the Prime Minister allow the province to study the establishment of a free trade zone near Long Thanh Airport to maximize the airport's potential and advantages once operational," stated Vo Tan Duc, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, at the conference.

Earlier, in early January, provincial leaders met with the leadership of CT Strategies Vietnam Co., Ltd. (CTS Vietnam) to hear proposals for promoting the development of an FTZ connecting Long Thanh Airport and Phuoc An Port.

According to Tran Thoang, Director of CTS Vietnam, Dong Nai's proposal to establish an FTZ in the Long Thanh Airport urban area and its vicinity to capitalize on the airport's development potential aligns with global trends and successful FTZ models worldwide.

As a consulting unit specializing in FTZs, CTS Vietnam highlighted several benefits of an FTZ connected to Long Thanh Airport, including attracting strategic investments, enhancing global supply chain linkages, and boosting local economic growth. Connecting the Long Thanh Airport FTZ with Phuoc An Port would also create significant advantages such as multimodal connectivity, increased cargo transport capacity, reduced logistics costs, and the potential to develop into an ASEAN logistics hub. Additionally, it would leverage the ecosystem of industrial parks within the province. "Dong Nai has all the necessary conditions to develop an FTZ with a structure linking Long Thanh Airport, Phuoc An Port, and the province's industrial ecosystem, contributing to making Dong Nai a modern logistics, manufacturing, and trade hub in the region," Tran Thoang stated.

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Dinh Thien, former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics and a member of the Government Advisory Group, emphasized that Dong Nai's strategic location and current "development convergence" present exceptional opportunities. Long Thanh Airport is poised to become a national transit hub, and the province also has a transshipment seaport. Therefore, the idea of establishing an FTZ linked to the airport and seaport to attract major investors to the region is highly logical.

However, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Dinh Thien stressed that the FTZ model envisioned by Dong Nai must be a new-generation FTZ, not an outdated one, meaning it should not merely be a tax-free zone. "The essence of a new-generation FTZ is its integration of a comprehensive ecosystem, including logistics, industry, ports, and services—not just a zone focused on import-export tax exemptions," he explained.

Moreover, Dr. Thien argued that the new FTZ model would not only address Dong Nai's economic growth rate challenges but also create new development momentum and attract major investors.

Developing the FTZ Proposal Connecting Long Thanh Airport and Phuoc An Port

Mr. Nguyen Huu Nguyen, Director of the Department of Planning and Investment, stated that regarding the idea of establishing an FTZ connecting Long Thanh Airport and Phuoc An Port, the department has reported to the provincial People's Committee its recommendation to form a research team and draft a proposal. The department has also worked with relevant departments and localities to preliminarily discuss the benefits an FTZ could bring. "The timing for Dong Nai to pursue an FTZ is very mature. Therefore, we recommend forming a research team to expedite the proposal process," Nguyen Huu Nguyen said.

The provincial People's Committee will direct the Department of Planning and Investment to collaborate closely with consulting units to review suitable FTZ models before proceeding with subsequent steps. Once a model is selected, locations will be reviewed. If linked to Long Thanh Airport, the FTZ will likely be located in the surrounding area; if connected to Phuoc An Port, it will be near the port.

In Government Office Notification No. 12/TB-VPCP dated January 13, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha concluded at a meeting on the implementation of the Long Thanh Airport Phase 1 project and its connecting transport projects. The Deputy Prime Minister tasked the provincial People's Committee with developing an FTZ investment proposal to submit to the Prime Minister for review and decision-making. ​

Author: Vinh Quang

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