In 2024, Hai Phong ranked second nationwide in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), following Bac Ninh. From the beginning of the year until December 31, 2024, the total FDI capital attracted to the city—including newly registered capital, additional registered capital, and capital contributions/share purchases by foreign investors—reached USD 4,909.36 million. Of this, USD 4,357 million (88.75%) was invested in industrial parks and economic zones, while USD 552.36 million (11.25%) was outside these zones. Investment promotion activities played a vital role in achieving this result.
The city organized more than 150 working programs, meetings, and investment promotion conferences with international partners and investors. These included participation in two investment promotion programs organized by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (in Taiwan and Indonesia), as well as organizing and attending nine investment promotion events in Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan (China), the United States, and Indonesia. These initiatives yielded strong results, attracting major global corporations and enterprises to invest in local industrial zones. Notable examples include: LG Group increasing its capital by USD 2.35 billion; Heesung (South Korea) raising investment from USD 154 million to USD 279 million; DEEP C Hai Phong industrial infrastructure project increasing its capital by USD 169 million to USD 286 million.
The city also organized events to promote investment opportunities, highlight the investment environment, share development orientations, and encourage collaboration in key sectors such as clean energy, renewable energy, aviation, and logistics. Notable participating companies and delegations included: Power China, Sinosure (China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation), SKB (South Korea), Medico and Heraeus Singapore, Sunwah Group (Hong Kong), AeroAsia Holdings (Brunei), a business delegation from Suzhou (China), Mattel, Sojitz Group, SK Group (South Korea), Xuan Cau Holdings, Onegroup Investment JSC, and other Chinese investors. Also included were Taiwanese electrical and electronics businesses from TEEMA (Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association), Seegene (South Korea), Wolong Resources Group, the Greater Gulf Economic and Trade Promotion Association (China), Kim Mau Nguyen Environmental Protection Group, Hanhe VN New Materials Co., Ltd., Truong Vinh Co., Ltd. (China), a delegation of experts and academics from Kitakyushu (Japan), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and a seminar on seaports and logistics organized in cooperation with the Embassy of Denmark and VCCI, with participation from European and Vietnamese enterprises in the sector.
Hai Phong prioritized strengthening relations with international partners through both domestic and overseas diplomatic events, including: engagement with the Canadian Trade Mission in Ho Chi Minh City, the 2024 World Cities Summit (WCS) in Singapore, the 36th session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme in Morocco, the Maritime Silk Road Port International Cooperation Forum in Ningbo (China), and the 11th Vietnam-China Five Provinces Economic Corridor Cooperation Conference in Mengzi (China).
Out of 145 overseas missions, 17 were led by city leaders to promote international cooperation and investment and to attend international events. These included working visits to foreign localities, such as a delegation led by the Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee to South Korea and China, and participation in events and high-level delegations alongside leaders of the Party, State, and Government to the United States, Cuba, Japan, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and China.
Notably, the Hai Phong–Lijiang air route was successfully launched. As of June 15, 2024, the new route officially commenced operations, enhancing connectivity between the two localities and boosting exchanges and development in trade, tourism, and the broader economy.
Throughout the investment promotion process, Hai Phong maintained close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad; foreign diplomatic missions in Vietnam; and international business associations such as the Japan and Korea Chambers of Commerce, EuroCham, and VCCI. The city also worked with partner localities abroad to ensure timely updates on regional and global markets and to promote its investment environment. Furthermore, Hai Phong welcomed and held working sessions with delegations from foreign embassies in Vietnam, international associations, and foreign businesses interested in exploring the city's investment and business climate.
In 2024, the city welcomed more than 400 international delegations, including 14 high-level government delegations. Notable visits included delegations led by: the President of Bulgaria, the President of Indonesia, the Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands, the Secretary of the Nanning Party Committee (China), the Mayor of Cheongju (South Korea), as well as Ambassadors from the United States, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Cuba, and Iran.
Additionally, in order to learn from models of free trade zone construction and management—and with the goal of establishing such a zone in Hai Phong—the city organized a delegation to Shanghai, China. This topic has also been incorporated into the agendas of international missions led by city leaders and department officials.
Overall, in 2024, Hai Phong made remarkable strides in investment promotion, with extensive, methodical, and forward-looking activities. The city is evolving beyond its identity as a port city to become a strategic investment destination in both the region and the world. With its current momentum, Hai Phong is well-positioned to become a leading maritime economic center in Asia in the near future.