A Key Strategic Partner
According to the Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority, there are over 150 Japanese-invested projects in the city, with total investment exceeding USD 5.23 billion—approximately 20.4 percent of the city’s total FDI, ranking just behind South Korea and China. Major projects include Bridgestone (USD 1.22 billion), Rorze Robotech International (USD 426 million), Shin-Etsu (USD 442.25 million), and Kyocera (USD 425 million). These are primarily in mechanical equipment, boilers, electric machinery, electrical devices, plastics, and rubber, situated in zones such as Japan–Hai Phong IZ, VSIP, and the DEEP C industrial complex.
Ogata Haruhisa, General Director of Kyocera Office Technology Vietnam Co., Ltd (located in VSIP IZ), stated that despite challenges in 2024, the company achieved 130 percent growth over its plan. Kyocera Group plans to relocate additional production lines and factories to Vietnam, expanding operations. In 2025, revenue is expected to increase by around 10 percent, contributing significantly to the city's budget as well as social welfare and employee support.
Japanese companies are well-regarded for their legal compliance and leading roles in applying modern, environmentally friendly technology. Notable Vietnam–Japan cooperation projects include the Japan–Hai Phong IZ (formerly Nomura IZ), Kien and Binh bridges, the international gateway port, and the Tan Vu– Lach Huyen sea-crossing bridge.
Expanding Cooperation Potential
City leaders recently met with representatives from Mitsui O.S.K. Lines—a long-established global shipping company. According to Executive Officer Norio Abe, the company is implementing the MVG Chemical Warehouse Project in the DEEP C complex, jointly with HTM, GoldenLink, and VISECO. Mitsui proposed investing in industrial real estate, specifically the Cau Cuu Industrial Park project (An Lao district), which received the city’s approval. Hai Phong also invited Mitsui to open a local branch and enhance cooperation in logistics—Mitsui’s forte—to boost freight capacity in response to growing demand.
In early 2025, the second phase of the Japan–Hai Phong IZ was approved, covering 197.16 ha with nearly VND 2,783 billion in capital. Once operational, it is expected to attract additional investors, especially from Japan. Phase 1 (153 ha) is already 100 percent occupied, mainly by Japanese high-tech firms. Authority Director Le Trung Kien emphasized that Japan is an important partner in environment, education, healthcare, and agriculture. Hai Phong supports investors with transparent, open, and swift administrative processes. In 2025, Hai Phong is proactively developing the Southern Coastal Economic Zone as an eco-economic zone aligned with ESG trends, offering preferential policies including a free-trade zone. The city hopes Japanese investors will recognize the improved investment environment and confidently choose Hai Phong—and specifically the Southern Coastal EZ—as a strategic long-term investment destination yielding outstanding benefits.