On April 1, 2026, the People's Committee of Hai Phong City issued Plan No. 103/KH-UBND regarding the city's international integration work for 2026. This is a significant step in institutionalizing Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW of the Politburo and Action Program No. 05-CTr/TU of the City Party Committee’s Standing Board. The plan aims to transform Hai Phong into a dynamic economic hub with high competitiveness within regional and international networks.
Ambitious Economic Targets
Amidst a volatile global geopolitical and economic landscape, Hai Phong has proactively set breakthrough growth targets. The city is determined to reach an export turnover of 52 billion USD in 2026. To achieve this, a key task is diversifying export markets, aiming for a presence in at least 142 international markets to reduce reliance on traditional ones.
Regarding Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Hai Phong continues its policy of selective attraction. Priority is given to projects in high technology, Research and Development (R&D), logistics centers, and supporting industries. The total FDI attraction for 2026 is expected to reach approximately 4.3 billion USD. Notably, the city aims to secure the 3rd position out of 34 provinces and cities nationwide in the Free Trade Agreement Implementation Index (FTA Index).
In addition to the economy, the tourism sector is expected to see a strong surge, with a target of attracting 16.3 million visitors, thereby enhancing the international image and status of the Port City.
Breakthroughs in Free Trade Zones and Logistics Ecosystems
A highlight of the 2026 plan is the effective implementation of tasks to develop the Free Trade Zone. This is envisioned as a "special institutional space" that integrates non-tariff areas, high-tech industrial parks, modern logistics centers, and financial-banking and R&D services. The formation of this zone will create a new impetus to unlock all development resources for the 2025-2030 term.
In parallel, Hai Phong is accelerating its roadmap to become an international logistics center for Northern Vietnam and the ASEAN region. The city will apply specific mechanisms under Resolution 226/2025/QH15 to promote the logistics ecosystem and international supply chains. A notable technological product, the Hai Phong Inter-disciplinary Logistics Platform (Smart Log Haiphong), is scheduled to complete its database connection and testing by November 2026.
Institutional Reform and Capacity Building
For deep and wide integration, Hai Phong identifies administrative reform and institutional improvement as key tasks. The city will review and systematize legal documents to ensure full compatibility with international commitments and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Administrative procedures related to investment and import-export will be further simplified to ensure transparency.
Specific goals include maintaining and improving provincial competitiveness indices such as PCI, SIPAS, and PAPI. Furthermore, the city emphasizes human resource training, targeting 100% of departments and localities having specialized integration officers who receive annual professional training. The business community will also receive maximum support to grasp new international market standards, particularly requirements for green transition, sustainable development, and the digital economy.
Expanding Socio-Cultural Integration
International integration in 2026 extends beyond the economy. Hai Phong is striving to build a civilized and culturally rich urban image through the project "Building Hai Phong into a City of Music for the 2026-2030 period", which includes attracting international music programs and foreign artists.
In education and labor, the city focuses on attracting high-quality foreign workers, including managers, CEOs, and skilled technical experts. Hai Phong is also promoting international training cooperation, student exchanges, and joint programs with foreign partners to develop human resources for spearhead industries like logistics and high technology. Additionally, at least two programs will be organized to promote local OCOP products (One Commune One Product) to the international market.
Linking Integration with Security and Defense
A consistent principle throughout the plan is the close combination of international integration with the assurance of national defense and security. The city commits to maintaining political stability and social order during the expansion of cooperation. Functional forces will strengthen coordination to combat transnational crime, smuggling, and trade fraud.
Notably, in response to trade policy fluctuations, Hai Phong will establish an early warning mechanism for trade defense measures, especially tax policies from the United States market. This will help businesses proactively respond to technical barriers to trade (TBT) and comply with rules on origin and environmental standards.
Decisive and Detailed Implementation
To bring the plan to life, the City People's Committee has assigned specific tasks to various units. The Department of Industry and Trade serves as the standing agency of the City Steering Committee for International Integration, responsible for monitoring and reporting results periodically. Direct investment promotion activities in key markets such as China and South Korea will be carried out throughout the year.
The city also maintains an official information channel through the Hai Phong City Free Trade Agreement Portal (https://fta.haiphong.vn) to provide timely updates on new commitments and standards for citizens and businesses. With a detailed roadmap and the determination of the entire political system, Hai Phong is confidently entering 2026 as a "locomotive" of integration.