Amid deep international integration, Hai Phong is asserting its position as an attractive destination for global investors by drastically implementing high-level international cooperation agreements. The summary of implementation in Q1/2026 shows that the city has achieved significant results in promoting strategic infrastructure projects, green growth, and friendly cooperation with key partners like China and South Korea.
Promoting Strategic Cooperation with Chinese Partners
External activities with Chinese localities, particularly Yunnan Province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, were vibrant and substantive in early 2026. At the "2026 Spring Meeting," a Hai Phong delegation led by City Party Secretary Le Tien Chau signed a Memorandum of Discussion to implement 06 core cooperation areas with 23 specific tasks. This milestone defines the cooperation framework between Hai Phong, Guangxi, and northern Vietnamese border provinces. Notably, all parties agreed that the 2027 Spring Meeting will be hosted in Hai Phong, confirming the city's prestige in this cooperation mechanism.
Furthermore, cooperation with Yunnan Province has seen concrete progress. The Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority proactively established ties with the Yunnan Pilot Free Trade Zone (Honghe section) to exchange expertise on planning and operating economic and free trade zones. Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) signed in 2025 regarding trade and industrial links are being realized, paving the way for the strong development of the Kunming – Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong economic corridor.
Cooperation with South Korean Corporations: Focusing on High-tech and Smart Cities
South Korea remains a top strategic partner for Hai Phong, with breakthrough projects in technology and sustainability.
- SK Group Project: The high-tech biodegradable materials factory by SK Leaveo has completed construction and is currently undergoing trial operations. As a flagship project for the city's green investment attraction strategy, the plant is expected to be officially inaugurated in Q3/2026, with SK planning further expansion this year.
- Urban Growth Partnership Program (UGPP) with Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH): Despite a period of disruption due to administrative mergers, the project now has a clear restart roadmap. LH has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to researching smart city and logistics projects in Hai Phong. The Department of Construction has outlined a 2026 roadmap, including a review of priority projects in Q2 and smart city workshops by year-end.
Reviewing and Adjusting Key Infrastructure Projects
In Q1/2026, the city meticulously reviewed the validity and scope of MOUs to ensure feasibility and alignment with new planning.
- Nam Do Son General Port: This project, which attracted interest from international partners like the Port of Los Angeles, has seen significant research adjustments. Following Notice No. 2743-TB/TU, the city will prioritize the study of a Free Trade Port Zone complex, an LNG power plant, and an Industrial Park in the Southern Coastal Economic Zone. Consequently, the Nam Do Son Port project has been removed from the research scope of the Kinh Bac Group.
- Trung Lap Industrial Park (Vinh Bao): The MOU for this project was determined to be expired with no requests for extension, allowing the city to focus resources on projects with higher readiness.
Heading Towards Green Growth and Sustainable Development
The green growth strategy has become the "compass" for Hai Phong's foreign activities. On January 29, 2026, the City Party Committee issued Resolution No. 08-NQ/TU on green transformation for the 2026-2030 period. On this basis, the city is coordinating with international partners such as Saigontel, ECV, and Maius to concretize tasks related to green growth.
The city aims to manage state resources based on "5-ization" criteria: Optimization, Smartization, Harmonization, Greenization, and Digitalization. All international cooperation is appraised based on its compatibility with general planning and its contribution to local sustainable development goals.
General Evaluation and Future Direction
Overall, the implementation of high-level foreign commitments in Q1/2026 has been serious and systematic, with specific specialized agencies assigned to lead each commitment. However, the city acknowledges limitations, such as a lack of proactive coordination from some international partners in fulfilling agreed-upon contents.
In the coming time, Hai Phong will continue to: (1) Follow Party and Government guidance to promote international integration in the new situation; (2) Coordinate more closely with partners to quickly transform commitments into actual projects; (3) Prepare personnel and information to welcome field surveys and host major foreign events in 2027.
With the determination of the entire political system, Hai Phong is step-by-step transforming paper commitments into modern factories, driving the city toward a breakthrough in the new era.