On the morning of March 4, Mr. Nguyễn Đức Thọ, Vice Chairman of Hai Phong People's Committee, held a working session with the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) delegation, led by Acting President Mr. Kim Yoang Ki, during their visit to Hai Phong.
On this occasion, Vice Chairman Nguyễn Đức Thọ shared information on Hai Phong’s socio-economic development achievements and its business and investment environment. Hai Phong consistently ranks among the fastest-growing localities in Vietnam, maintaining double-digit growth for ten consecutive years. Thanks to its favorable geographical location with five modes of transport, Hai Phong remains one of the most attractive destinations for foreign investors. In 2024 alone, the city attracted a total of USD 4.9 billion in FDI.
Hai Phong International Gateway Port plays a vital role in Vietnam’s seaport system, enabling exports and imports from the North and across the country to reach markets in Europe and the Americas directly.
The Vice Chairman further introduced that the city has developed 14 industrial zones, most of which are nearly full. Looking forward, Hai Phong aims to establish 20 more industrial zones covering over 7,000 hectares, in line with approved planning. Notably, the Vietnamese Government has approved the establishment of the Southern Hai Phong Coastal Economic Zone, spanning 20,000 hectares. This integrated coastal economic zone follows a green growth and circular economy model, includes a free trade zone with breakthrough mechanisms and policies, and connects with other coastal economic zones to promote the Red River Delta region’s development. As industrial, urban, and tourism zones (such as Cat Ba and Do Son) grow, environmental issues — especially wastewater treatment — have become pressing concerns for the city.
Mr. Kim Yoang Ki expressed hopes that after this visit, the cooperation between the two sides would be realized through specific projects. He thanked Hai Phong’s leaders for their valuable insights and introduced KEITI, a government-affiliated agency under the Korean Ministry of Environment. KEITI’s mission is to promote the environmental industry and support environmental technology development, including air and water purification, waste recycling and treatment, and ecosystem restoration.
KEITI aims to build a green, clean world by disseminating eco-friendly technologies and forming global cooperation networks so that all countries can enjoy environmental benefits. In Vietnam, KEITI has cooperated with several localities and agencies, such as: signing an MoU with the Vietnam Environment Administration, collaborating on the Ha Tinh drainage improvement project, conducting environmental investment exchanges in Can Tho, and partnering on a Korea-Vietnam Water Industrial Cluster project in Bac Giang. Mr. Kim expressed interest in future cooperation in drainage, urban wastewater treatment, environmental protection, climate change response, green growth, and solid waste management — areas where Korea and KEITI have deep experience. He reaffirmed his desire to translate this visit into specific collaborative projects.