The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade has recently reported to the Finance Department on the progress of implementing research projects on free trade areas within the city.
Following the expansion of its administrative boundaries, Ho Chi Minh City is planned to have four free trade areas: Can Gio (with an area of 1,000-2,000 hectares), Cai Mep Ha (associated with the seaport in the former Ba Ria-Vung Tau province), Binh An, and Bau Bang.
In terms of progress, on May 21, the People’s Committee of the former Ba Ria-Vung Tau province submitted a proposal to the government for appraisal and approval of the research project. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has provided feedback on the project.
The Can Gio free trade area project is currently in the research phase. The Department of Industry and Trade is advising the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee to consolidate the research team for the project.
The project to build the Can Gio free trade area is still in the research phase. Photo: Anh Phuong |
The An Binh free trade area is planned to be located at the An Binh railway station (in the former Di An city) on the Ho Chi Minh City-Loc Ninh railway line. This line connects the An Binh hub to the Bau Bang station and continues to the deep-water port cluster of Cai Mep- Thi Vai and to Moc Bai border gate in Tay Ninh province.
The Bau Bang free trade area is planned similarly to the An Binh area. However, the international Bau Bang railway is still in the research phase, so the implementation cannot proceed.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the implementation of the city’s free trade area projects has attracted interest and support from domestic and foreign investors. Several large investors, such as DP World, Vingroup, and the Geleximco joint venture, have expressed their desire to participate.
However, relevant legal regulations are not yet complete, and there is a lack of specific policies. The development of these policies is hindered by inconsistencies or the absence of provisions in current laws.
Regarding the An Binh and Bau Bang free trade areas, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee believes that they cannot be implemented in this phase. In April 2025, the People’s Committee of the former Binh Duong province assigned Becamex IDC Corporation to research and survey a project for a free trade and economic zone in Tan Uyen ward, with an area of 50 hectares. However, this location is not within the planned free trade areas of Ho Chi Minh City.
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade proposes that the government approve the free trade area projects and develop a strategy for their development. They also recommend that the government direct ministries and sectors to coordinate with the city to create flexible and diverse incentive policies to attract investment and facilitate production and business activities.
Additionally, the Department proposes that the Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly Delegation consider including policies on the establishment of FTZs in the amended Resolution 98.
Anh Phuong
– 08:03 16/08/2025
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