In an exclusive interview with Nikkei Asia, Da Nang City People’s Committee Chairman Luong Nguyen Minh Triet shared plans to establish an international financial center (IFC) in the city. The IFC is expected to attract investment and help Vietnam achieve its target of double-digit GDP growth from 2026.
“We are focusing on perfecting the ecosystem of infrastructure, connectivity, and policies to create strong competitiveness on an international scale, thereby forming a transparent, favorable, and attractive environment to lure investors, especially strategic ones,” Triet said.
Vietnam has approved the establishment of IFCs in two economic centers, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Da Nang will focus on green finance, financial technology (fintech), digital assets, and a financial innovation ecosystem.
According to Triet, the Da Nang IFC will be headquartered in a 22-story building in Da Nang Software Park 2, with additional infrastructure to be built on Son Tra peninsula. The city is also studying the construction of artificial islands in Da Nang Bay.
Da Nang Software Park 2 is one of the city’s key industrial parks, aiming to attract foreign technology companies. (Photo: Nguyen Van Anh)
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Da Nang’s area recently expanded ninefold to over 11,000 sq. km after merging with Quang Nam province in July as part of nationwide administrative reforms.
In June, Da Nang was approved to establish Vietnam’s first free trade zone (FTZ) spanning nearly 1,900 ha, enabling the city to boost its open economy through the integration of production, e-commerce, logistics, and innovation.
“Da Nang does not wait for opportunities but creates them,” Triet emphasized. “We believe that with daring thoughts and actions, and breakthroughs, Da Nang can step out into the world with new courage and stature.”
However, to soar high, Da Nang is not only developing finance and trade but also heavily investing in technology.
Software Park 2, with an area of 93,000 sq. m along the Han River, is dedicated to technology companies as part of the city’s strategy to attract AI and semiconductor investment.
“Da Nang has attracted global technology companies such as Synopsys, Marvell, Renesas, and domestic corporations like FPT. Potential partners such as Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm are studying investment opportunities,” Triet said.
In March, FPT inaugurated a research and development (R&D) center for artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors in Software Park 2. Da Nang is also home to one of FPT’s largest facilities, the FPT Complex, which can accommodate 10,000 employees.
“This lays the foundation for Da Nang’s ‘Silicon Bay’ vision. We are implementing a nearly $70 million manufacturing lab and a regional data center while expanding Software Park 2,” Triet shared.
Last year, Da Nang became the first city in Vietnam to offer a five-year personal income tax exemption for those working in the semiconductor and AI industries. The city also offers corporate tax and import duty exemptions, free land leases, housing support, and long-term visas for experts.
Local startups in the AI and semiconductor fields are offered free rent at Software Park 2, a project that was delayed due to COVID-19 and legal issues but revived by city leaders last year.
Currently, Da Nang has 25 companies operating in the semiconductor field (a threefold increase from 2023) and 41 AI companies. The city trained 600 semiconductor students at 19 universities last year and targets 1,000 students in 2025.
Software Park 2 currently has two eight-story buildings, with one expected to be filled by the end of this year, and the other is under construction. The surrounding area features a 20-story building and land plots for other projects.
“With the participation of large domestic and foreign technology companies, we will build Da Nang into a dynamic innovation ecosystem,” Triet shared.
Vu Hao (According to Nikkei Asia)
– 11:54 14/08/2025
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