In 2025, Da Nang enters a new phase of development, marked by a series of exceptional and preferential mechanisms and policies granted by the central government. The adjustment of Resolution 136 and the establishment of the Free Trade Zone are creating powerful momentum, enabling the city to effectively unlock new growth potential.
New drivers for development
TThroughout Da Nang’s development journey, every breakthrough phase has been closely associated with strategic decisions from the central authorities. The year 2025 marks a particularly significant turning point, as the city consecutively receives exceptional and preferential mechanisms and policies, reflecting the deep attention of the Party, the National Assembly, and the Government to Da Nang’s role, position, and development aspirations.
On June 13, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1142/QĐ-TTg on the establishment of the Da Nang Free Trade Zone (FTZ). This decision carries historic significance, as it marks the first time Vietnam has formed and operated a Free Trade Zone based on the integration of special institutional frameworks, modern infrastructure, and breakthrough development thinking.
Beyond opening new growth space for Da Nang, the decision is expected to generate spillover momentum for the Central Highlands–Central Coast region and the country as a whole.
Notably, the Da Nang FTZ originated from the city’s own proposal, demonstrating proactive, creative development thinking and increasingly strong policy advisory capacity at the local level.
With a total area of approximately 1,881 hectares, arranged in non-contiguous locations, the Free Trade Zone includes functional areas for manufacturing and logistics; trade and services; digital industries, information technology, innovation; and other functional zones in accordance with legal regulations.
A key highlight is that the Da Nang Free Trade Zone is oriented toward development in close connection with an International Financial Center, gradually positioning Da Nang as a high-quality service hub and an important link in the East–West Economic Corridor, the Asia–Pacific region, and global networks.
In particular, the manufacturing and logistics functional zones play a crucial role in transforming Da Nang into an international production and cargo transshipment hub, closely linked with Lien Chieu Port, Tien Sa Port, Ky Ha Port, Da Nang International Airport, Chu Lai Airport, and the East–West Economic Corridor.
The merger of Da Nang City and the former Quang Nam Province has created an urban area with the largest scale, spatial capacity, and development potential in the Central region. In this context, the Free Trade Zone is not merely a new economic model, but also a solution to the challenge of developing regional-scale trade and logistics, fully leveraging the city’s geo-economic advantages, infrastructure, and strategic location.
To accelerate the operationalization of the Da Nang Free Trade Zone, the city has implemented a range of coordinated key tasks. The Department of Industry and Trade has taken the lead in developing an implementation plan with specific task groups and proposing exceptional incentive mechanisms. Relevant departments and agencies are advising on planning adjustments, allocating medium-term public investment capital, and preparing technical and transport infrastructure projects. Project preparation and resettlement work are being carried out in parallel to ensure site clearance. At the same time, the city is intensifying domestic and international investment promotion to attract strategic investors.
Practical implementation has already recorded positive signals, with several functional zones beginning construction, while the city is receiving and appraising investment proposals from investors for multiple key locations within the Free Trade Zone.
More exceptional mechanisms
Alongside the decision to establish the Free Trade Zone, the National Assembly’s adoption of Resolution No. 259/2025/QH15 amending and supplementing a number of provisions of Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 is considered a decisive institutional boost for Da Nang in its new development phase. The amended resolution is widely viewed as a major turning point, enabling Da Nang to truly “stretch its wings” in the new development space following the merger.
Under the resolution, the Prime Minister has the authority to decide on the establishment of the Free Trade Zone; the Da Nang People’s Committee is permitted to adjust boundaries and implementation content, and to apply flexible planning mechanisms.
Investment projects within the Free Trade Zone are entitled to special corporate income tax incentives, with the most preferential rate set at 10% for up to 30 years; enterprises are fully exempt from land and water surface rental fees.
Notably, high-level experts and skilled professionals working in the Free Trade Zone are eligible for a 50% reduction in personal income tax for 10 years; the city is also allowed to retain 100% of revenue from TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) land funds to prioritize investment in transport infrastructure, particularly urban rail systems.
The issuance of Resolution No. 259, with the establishment of the Da Nang Free Trade Zone as its core pillar, is expected to generate a new development impetus for the Central Key Economic Region, enhance national competitiveness, and become an important link connecting the East–West Economic Corridor, the Asia–Pacific region, and global networks.
In addition to their exceptional nature, the mechanisms and policies designed for the Da Nang Free Trade Zone are also structured to align with those being piloted in other localities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong. This consistency in orientation and policy framework is expected to form a network of interconnected free trade centers, creating spillover effects and contributing positively to the country’s overall development goals.
Assessing the new policies, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang affirmed that the design of exceptional mechanisms to promote the development of the Free Trade Zone, attract strategic investors, implement urban rail projects, and develop land reclamation-based urban areas is necessary and aligned with Da Nang’s strategic development direction in the coming period.
According to the Minister, these policies are not isolated, but rather mutually reinforcing, closely interwoven among modern infrastructure, high-quality financial and commercial services, and new urban development models.
With regard to the TOD model, the Minister emphasized that allowing the integration of residential buildings, ports, and stations within the same planning space is an important solution to improve land-use efficiency, limit waste of public land resources, and ensure sustainable urban development.
According to Le Ngoc Quang, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee, the amended resolution is strategic in nature, providing an especially important political and legal foundation for the city in its new development phase. It not only helps remove institutional bottlenecks but also opens up sufficiently strong mechanisms and policies to attract domestic and international strategic investors into entirely new development models for Da Nang.
The Party Secretary affirmed: “The International Financial Center and the Free Trade Zone are unprecedented models in Vietnam’s practical experience. These models are both new and complex, requiring completely new ways of thinking and implementation, yet they also open up very large opportunities for socio-economic development. The central government’s granting of special mechanisms and policies not only reflects its trust in Da Nang, but also places great responsibility on the city in organizing implementation to ensure that sound policies are quickly translated into real life.”
With an increasingly complete institutional foundation, strong political determination, and broad consensus across the political system and the people, Da Nang stands before a new window of opportunity to achieve breakthroughs and make ever greater contributions alongside the nation as it advances into a new era.
SOURCE: DA NANG CITY PORTAL
https://danang.gov.vn/vi/web/dng/w/da-nang-2025-mot-nam-nhin-lai-bai-3-chinh-sach-vuot-troi-de-da-nang-tien-vao-ky-nguyen-moi
