On the morning of April 17, 2025, continuing the 44th session, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly provided opinions on the draft Resolution to replace Resolution No. 35/2021/QH15 dated November 13, 2021 of the National Assembly on piloting certain specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Hai Phong city.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang said that the five year preliminary review of implementation of Politburo Resolution No. 45 NQ/TW showed Hai Phong achieved notable economic and social development, with consistently high growth rates, affirming its role as a development driver contributing to the Hanoi–Hai Phong–Quang Ninh economic triangle and to the Red River Delta region and the country as a whole.
However, alongside achievements there remain limitations: the city’s contribution to the country does not match its potential and advantages; economic scale and revenue structures are not yet sustainable and heavily rely on foreign direct investment (FDI); planning, urban development, land use, and socio economic infrastructure are not integrated; science and technology, innovation have not made breakthroughs…
The three year review of implementation of Resolution No. 35/2021/QH15 shows that some mechanisms and policies have produced certain results but have not driven a breakthrough; some remain delayed awaiting implementing guidance; there is still a lack of distinctive, breakthrough, high impact special mechanisms and policies. “Issuing a new Resolution to replace Resolution 35/2021/QH15 of the National Assembly, piloting special mechanisms and policies for Hai Phong’s development, is necessary to unblock bottlenecks, drive breakthroughs, have major spillover in the Red River Delta, and contribute more to national economic growth, aligning with goals set by Politburo Resolution 45 NQ/TW and Conclusion 96 KL/TW,” emphasized the Minister of Finance. The aim is to continue concretizing the Politburo’s viewpoints and directions from Resolution 45 NQ/TW and Conclusion 96 KL/TW; create new growth momentum, maximize roles, positions, potential and advantages to propel the city’s socio economic development, contributing to building and developing Hai Phong to 2030, with a vision to 2045. According to the Minister of Finance, the draft National Assembly Resolution stipulates six main policy groups: investment management; state finance and budgeting; planning, urban management, resources and environment; science, technology and innovation; incomes of civil servants managed by the city; establishment and policies in the new generation Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Hai Phong.
Regarding policy on establishment of the new generation FTZ in Hai Phong (Article 9), the draft stipulates piloting creation and operation of a geographically defined FTZ in Hai Phong with special, breakthrough mechanisms and policies to attract investment, finance, commerce, services, boost exports, industry, R&D, and high quality human resources. The FTZ in Hai Phong is structured into functional zones: production; port and port logistics; commerce & services; and other zones as per law. The draft Resolution proposes delegating to the City People’s Council authority to decide on establishment, expansion, adjustment of the FTZ’s boundaries, linked to Dinh Vu – Cat Hai Economic Zone and the Hai Phong Southern Coastal Economic Zone, similar to industrial zones.
This provides a legal corridor for the FTZ to pilot special mechanisms and policies to attract investment, finance, commerce, services, boost exports, industry, R&D, and high quality human resources. Delegating to the City People’s Council aligns with decentralization policy (Resolution 18 NQ/TW, October 25, 2017, 6th Plenum of the 12th Party Central Committee) and the direction of strengthening decentralization under General Secretary To Lam (“local decides, local does, local takes responsibility”) at the 10th Plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee.
To promote investment and operations in the FTZ, the draft Resolution sets out special preferential policies: simplified administrative procedures for investment, business; import–export; entry, temporary residence and work permits (Clause 1); land, construction investment procedures (Clauses 2, 3); optimized investment incentives on land/water rent, taxes (Clause 5); other business activities in the FTZ (Clauses 6, 7). Furthermore, to pilot a “one stop, on site” mechanism in the FTZ, the draft allows the Hai Phong Economic Zone Management Authority to directly manage state functions for the FTZ’s functional zones and delegates authority to it to directly handle procedures for issuing Certificates of Origin; business licenses, retail establishment licenses; work permits and confirmations for foreign workers not requiring permits (Clause 4). Chair of the National Assembly’s Economic and Financial Committee, Phan Van Mai, said piloting establishment of the FTZ is necessary, reflects Hai Phong’s and the Government’s political resolve, and has sufficient political and legal basis.
However, it is a major issue not only economic but also related to defense, security, social order and safety. Therefore, he requested clarity on: impacts on economic growth, budget, society; regional spillover; risk management mechanisms, supervision to ensure openness but maintain financial and economic security, social order; addition of periodic supervision; accountability of individuals and organizations involved.