The Pearl of Northern Vietnam: Vân Đồn’s 600 Islands Prepare for Economic Free Zone Status

The Emerging Potential of Van Don Special Economic Zone

From its humble beginnings as a rugged land beside the Bai Tu Long Bay, Van Don is undergoing a remarkable transformation into a strategic growth pole for Northern Vietnam. With modern infrastructure and a slew of billion-dollar projects already in the works, this area is poised for a significant leap forward, as the government has identified Van Don and Co To as the two key areas in Quang Ninh province to develop into special economic zones, as per Decision 759/QD-TTg dated April 14, 2025.

Van Don is now an attractive investment destination with over 60 non-budget projects and a total registered capital of approximately VND 63,000 billion. Transportation infrastructure serves as a crucial catalyst, especially with the presence of Van Don International Airport, providing direct connections to major domestic economic and tourism hubs and opening a gateway to the East Asian, ASEAN, and Chinese markets with a population of over 3 billion people, all within a 5-hour flight radius.

In addition, the completed Haiphong-Halong-Van Don-Mong Cai expressway has transformed Van Don into a vital node on a nearly 600km-long expressway linking Lao Cai, Hanoi, and Haiphong to the Chinese border.

Parallel to its road and air connectivity, Van Don also boasts the Ao Tien premium port – a modern 30-hectare international tourist port capable of accommodating 150 ships and serving 3 million passengers annually.

The Van Don Boulevard section through the Phuong Dong Wonder Island urban area has been completed, reducing travel time between tourism projects within the Van Don economic zone and providing direct access to the international airport.

Notably, according to the approved Quang Ninh province master plan for the period of 2021-2030, the locality will implement the Ha Long – Cam Pha – Van Don urban railway line. Furthermore, in the near future, Van Don will be served by the high-speed railway line Haiphong- Halong- Mong Cai, transforming the area into an international transshipment hub for all four transport modes: air, road, water, and rail.

Van Don is not only blessed with excellent infrastructure but also naturally endowed with a rare pristine landscape. Nestled beside the famous Ha Long Bay, Van Don’s Bai Tu Long Bay exudes a peaceful charm with approximately 600 large and small stone islands scattered across emerald waters. It captivates visitors with its long stretches of white sandy beaches and a year-round cool and fresh atmosphere. (Van Don’s temperature is consistently lower than the average in Quang Ninh province by about 1 degree Celsius.)

Strong Capital Appreciation and Profit Potential in an Emerging Market

The allure of Van Don goes beyond its tourism potential and extends to the profit prospects it offers real estate investors. Due to its vast development potential, Van Don’s real estate market is regarded by experts as holding a “golden opportunity” in the long term.

Among the projects in Van Don, Phuong Dong Wonder Island stands out as a shining example in this emerging market. This 171-hectare project is strategically located at the gateway to the economic zone, boasting a triple frontage onto the majestic Bai Tu Long Bay. Phuong Dong Wonder Island is a rare project that combines “heavenly timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony”: a convenient location in the heart of the special zone, full benefit from the Van Don infrastructure boost, and the backing of a capable developer.

Phuong Dong Wonder Island is rising majestically as a “city that never sleeps” on the bay. With a development orientation following the all-in-one model, it integrates a full range of functions, including resort, residential, entertainment, and commercial uses. It boasts a 1.2-kilometer artificial beach (the longest tourist beach in Northern Vietnam, operating 24/7), a water music square capable of accommodating thousands of people, and a host of already operational amenities such as a four-season water park, sports complex, and a restaurant-shopping mall complex…

In the next phase, the investor will construct a high-end retirement and healthcare resort complex with 5,000 rooms, along with the Phuong Dong Hospital within the project premises. This model aims to transform Van Don into an attractive retirement and healthcare destination for the elderly, both domestically and internationally, capitalizing on the emerging trend of “resort retirement” in Asia.

Additionally, thousands of 4-5-star hotel rooms will be developed to accommodate the millions of tourists expected to visit Van Don as its tourism industry takes off.

With its strategic vision and meticulous investment, Wonder Island is poised to become a new icon in the Northeast region, elevating Van Don to its rightful place as a prominent tourism and economic hub.