Vietnam economic zones play a critical role in national economic development strategy. As primary growth engines, they leverage strengths in infrastructure, investment, and resources to create powerful spillover effects, driving regional linkages and national growth. By 2025, the government continues to prioritize these zones through strategic planning, synchronized investment, and supportive policies. This approach fosters a modern, sustainable, and globally integrated economy.
What is a Key Economic Zone?
A key economic zone (KEZ) is a region that holds strategic importance for national economic development. These areas concentrate high levels of industrial production, services, and trade, supported by advanced and integrated infrastructure. They are capable of driving and diffusing economic growth across broader regions.
Importantly, KEZs are not administrative units. Instead, they comprise a group of provinces and municipalities with shared development potential. They are shaped and governed through long-term socio-economic strategies set by the central government to promote coordinated regional advancement. (1)
How Many Key Economic Zones Does Vietnam Have?
As of 2025, Vietnam has four officially designated key economic zones (2):
- Northern Key Economic Zone:
Includes Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Bac Ninh, and Vinh Phuc. This region leads the North in industrial manufacturing, services, high-tech development, and logistics. - Central Key Economic Zone:
Comprises Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Binh Dinh. It plays a strategic role in marine economic development and international trade, especially through the East-West Economic Corridor. - Southern Key Economic Zone:
Encompasses Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Long An, Tay Ninh, Tien Giang, and Binh Phuoc. This is Vietnam’s largest industrial, commercial, and service hub. - Mekong Delta Key Economic Zone:
Includes Can Tho, An Giang, Kien Giang, and Ca Mau. It is the nation’s core area for agricultural and aquacultural production.
These KEZs reflect the current administrative structure, prior to the anticipated implementation of government-led administrative unit mergers. Such changes aim to streamline governance and enhance development efficiency. As mergers progress, changes in zone boundaries and composition may require adjustments to regional development plans.
Macroeconomic Drivers of Key Economic Zone Growth
To ensure sustainable and globally competitive KEZs, the following macroeconomic factors are being prioritized:
- Policy Enhancement for Regional Development
National development is increasingly guided by cohesive regional strategies. The Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2021–2030 (with a vision to 2045) emphasizes regional connectivity, balanced development, and the exploitation of comparative advantages. The government is also strengthening inter-regional coordination mechanisms, providing a legal framework to support large-scale, cross-provincial projects.
- Infrastructure and Logistics Investment
Modern infrastructure is a cornerstone of KEZ competitiveness. Vietnam is investing heavily in transportation megaprojects such as the North–South Expressway, ring roads, deep-water ports, and international airports. These projects aim to enhance connectivity between regions, reduce travel times, and support the country’s overall economic growth.(3)
- Investment Attraction and Technology Transfer
Vietnam’s KEZs are prioritized for foreign direct investment (FDI), especially in high-tech industries, supporting sectors, renewable energy, and value-added manufacturing. The government has implemented policies to attract high-tech investments, including updated criteria for high-tech projects and incentives for technology transfer.(4)
- High-Quality Human Resource Development
To support advanced industries, KEZs are investing in vocational education and specialized training in fields such as information technology, automation, and artificial intelligence. Vietnam aims to have 1,800 vocational education facilities by 2025, including national and regional high-quality vocational training centers.(5)
In summary, key economic regions serve as vital growth engines for Vietnam in its new development phase. With well-planned zoning strategies, synchronized infrastructure investment, and effective incentive policies, these regions are poised to play a central role in attracting investment and enhancing regional connectivity—contributing to Vietnam’s rising position as an attractive destination on the global economic map.
Source:
(1). Law Library
(2). Global Angle
(3). Vietnam Briefing
(4). Vietnam Insiders
(5). Nhan Dan Newspaper