On the morning of August 12, Working Group 2 of the Ho Chi Minh City Delegation of the National Assembly, led by Mr. Pham Trong Nhan, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Labor Federation, worked on the progress of building a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) associated with the seaport at Cai Mep Ha.
The Cai Mep Ha FTZ proposal covers an area of over 3,764 hectares, including three functional areas with eight adjacent subdivisions: a transport hub (seaport, inland port, and railway station) spanning more than 1,735 hectares; a logistics and industrial warehouse zone of over 1,178 hectares; and a high-tech industrial park, urban, and service area.

Forming the Free Trade Zone associated with the seaport at Cai Mep Ha creates a strategic impetus, contributing to enhancing the stature of Ho Chi Minh City’s maritime economy and logistics.

A standout feature of the proposal is the 36 mechanisms and preferential policies, including 19 new and superior policies: Using English as the primary language of transaction; attracting and managing high-quality international human resources; allowing land use rights to be mortgaged at foreign banks; interest rate liberalization; tax incentives; and developing a “green port” and smart logistics. The goal is to establish a new-generation FTZ, linking the Cai Mep – Thi Vai deep-water port with the Long Thanh airport and the Trans-Asian economic corridor, propelling Ho Chi Minh City into a leading international trade gateway in Southeast Asia.

The proposal was submitted by the People’s Committee of Ba Ria – Vung Tau (former) to the Prime Minister on May 21, 2025, and received feedback from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Several large investors have expressed interest. However, the legal framework for the FTZ model in Vietnam is not yet complete, lacking specific policies, especially on tax exemptions and investment incentives.

Working Group 2 of the Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly Delegation collaborates with relevant units

Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Industry and Trade recommends that the National Assembly Delegation consider and expedite the approval of the Cai Mep Ha FTZ proposal. Simultaneously, they propose issuing a strategy for FTZ development as a critical policy tool for the 2021-2030 period. The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City is also urged to direct relevant departments to coordinate and incorporate unique mechanisms into the amended Resolution 98, facilitating investment attraction and effective FTZ operations.

Once approved and implemented, the Cai Mep Ha Free Trade Zone will serve as a strategic catalyst, enhancing Ho Chi Minh City’s maritime economy and logistics stature and expanding opportunities for deeper integration into the global supply chain.

The Cai Mep Ha Free Trade Zone offers 36 mechanisms and preferential policies, including 19 new and groundbreaking ones

At the meeting, Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen, former Vice Secretary of the Ba Ria – Vung Tau Provincial Party Committee, requested that relevant units promptly finalize the dossier for submission to the competent authorities. She emphasized the need for specificity when designing special mechanisms, clearly stating which localities are currently implementing similar policies for comparative purposes.

Ms. Yen also recommended reexamining the regulation regarding the primary language in the area, suggesting that Vietnamese should be the dominant language, with English playing a supporting role. Furthermore, she advised focusing the outstanding policies on aspects not covered by current laws to create distinctive advantages for the region.

Mr. Pham Trong Nhan, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Labor Federation and head of the working group, acknowledged the valuable inputs and suggestions made during the meeting. He assured that the content would be thoroughly reviewed and synthesized into a report to be submitted to the Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly Delegation. Based on this report, the Delegation will conduct further analysis, compare it with existing regulations, and propose solutions to higher authorities to address any obstacles, facilitating the establishment of the Cai Mep Ha Free Trade Zone.

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